The 5 Biggest Issues Facing Pittsburgh Steelers with OTAs Wrapped

The Pittsburgh Steelers' OTAs are over for the year, which means only mandatory minicamp and training camp remain before the 2015 NFL season kicks off. 

Though OTAs are a crucial time for a team in which they install new offensive and defensive concepts and continue to develop rookies, not all positional battles are resolved and not all roster vacancies are filled by the time they wrap.

Here are the five biggest issues still facing the Steelers now that OTAs are over.

Can Shamarko Thomas Start?

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When longtime Steelers safety Troy Polamalu retired earlier this year, it was immediately assumed that Shamarko Thomas, their fourth-round 2013 draft pick, would be the one to step in and take over his starting job.

And while much has been written about Thomas during the Steelers' OTAs, curiously little was said about how well he was handling his transition to a starter's workload or how he looked on the practice field. And with the Steelers also bringing back veteran Will Allen, someone who has started in Polamalu's place in the past, it's not entirely certain that the job belongs to Thomas.

Once minicamp turns into training camp, it's likely more reports will emerge about Thomas' on-field performance. But for now, we have only our assumptions and Thomas' vow to make the most of his opportunity to work with.

The State of the Inside Linebacker Position

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Last year, the Steelers selected inside linebacker Ryan Shazier in Round 1 of the draft in order to add speed to the interior of the linebacking corps. Though Shazier began the year as a starter, a number of injuries to his ankle and knees kept him sidelined for seven games, and when he returned, he split time with fellow linebackers Sean Spence and Vince Williams.

Expectations are high for Shazier this year, and with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Chris Adamski reporting on Thursday that Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky believes he is meeting them, that may mean less playing time for Spence and Williams in 2015.

But Shazier's durability is still questionable. Until the Steelers get into the ceaseless grind of training camp this summer, we won't really know how he stands up to the test this year. The Steelers would like to turn away from a timeshare alongside Lawrence Timmons on the inside, but it's up to Shazier to make that happen.

The Cornerback Division of Labor

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It's not exactly chaos at the cornerback position for the Steelers right now, but it's not exactly settled either. With Cortez Allen coming off of a benching in 2014, he has a lot he wants to prove about his ability to return to the starting lineup. But Antwon Blake, who was a standout during OTAs, is also in the running to start on the outside alongside William Gay. 

There's also the matter of rookie Senquez Golson, whom the Steelers drafted in Round 2 this year. Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown praised Golson during OTAs, calling him "smooth," and saying (via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler), "I'm liking what I'm seeing from him."

With all of the Steelers' top corners being moved around during OTAs, it's clear that the coaching staff is examining the players from all angles before making their decisions about their 2015 starters. This battle should extend well into training camp as the Steelers put together what will be a mostly new-look secondary this season.

Pass-Rush Rotation?

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The Steelers have four key pass-rushers on their defense at present—James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Jarvis Jones and rookie Bud Dupree. All four seem set to see playing time in 2015. But how much is something yet to be determined. And the starters? That's something the Steelers will also have to figure out between now and September.

The Steelers would like the 37-year old Harrison to be on a snap count this year, but as Harrison noted earlier this week (via Behind the Steel Curtain), they also wanted him to play 15 snaps per game last year, and he averaged around 37. But with Dupree proving to be a quick study, Harrison may have no choice but to play a smaller role this year.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that Dupree is already getting time with the first-team defense. But all four men are rotating between the second and first teams, something likely to continue well into training camp. Figuring out not just who to start but how many snaps each outside linebacker will play this year is a big issue for the Steelers to solve. The defense totaled just 33 sacks in 2014, a number they'd like to greatly improve on in 2015.

Will Le'Veon Bell's Suspension Stick

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For now, the Pittsburgh Steelers are operating under the assumption that they will not have the services of star running back Le'Veon Bell for the first three games of the 2015 season. Bell, arrested last year on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession, was suspended by the NFL in April of this year. The matter is being appealed, but the league offices have maintained radio silence since.

Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot reports that appeals are typically ruled upon within 30 days of their filing, but this process can take longer in the offseason. He also added that because Bell has mentioned that his agent has not let him know about any ruling, the appeal hearing may have already occurred. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler detailed three reasons why Bell could see his suspension reduced: that he's been apologetic, that there is precedent for suspensions being reduced and that his entry into an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program—and the timing of doing so—could result in a degree of leniency from the league.

Any reduction in Bell's suspension would make life easier for the Steelers. No matter what, they won't likely have him for the season opener against the New England Patriots. But the start of the season would change drastically if that ended up being the only game Bell missed. We just have to sit and wait, like the Steelers and Bell, to find out what the league rules.