Pittsburgh Steelers: 7 Steelers who must play bigger roles in 2013
By Matt Shetler
With the Pittsburgh Steelers having less than $800 K in salary cap room at the moment, chances are slim that they will make any more upgrades to a roster that finished a disappointing 8-8 a season ago.
There’s still time to improve via the NFL Draft, but there are so many holes on this team at the moment, that while the draft picks will certainly help, the biggest chance that the Steelers have to improve in 2013 is for players currently on the roster to increase their production in a big way.
December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) reacts after making pass reception for a first down against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
With that being said, I have targeted seven different Steelers who I feel must play bigger roles for the team to be competitive next season.
Without any delay, let’s take a look.
Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is signed and while it remains doubtful that the Steelers could sign him long-term, he remains a vital piece of any success the Steelers will or will not have in 2013.
Someone has to replace the production lost by Mike Wallace and while I have my doubts that Sanders and Antonio Brown can come close to that, Sanders is going to have to emerge as a huge part of the passing attack next season.
As a slot guy, Sanders caught 44 passes for 626 yards and a touchdown last season. As a starter, you would like to see him exceed 70 catches and 1,000 yards this season. It won’t be easy because he will see different coverage this season and the mismatches that he created in the slot against linebackers and some safeties won’t be there as often, as Sanders won’t be in the slot primarily.
However he is a guy with talent and even if this is his last year in a Steelers uniform, it would be nice to see him go out with a big year.
Otherwise that third round pick would have looked real good.