2014 NFL Draft: Ranking The Pittsburgh Steelers Biggest Needs
By Matt Shetler
It’s never ideal when you come off back-to-back 8-8 seasons and have more holes to plug than a good football team should, but that is exactly the situation that the Pittsburgh Steelers currently find themselves in as they look forward to the 2014 NFL Draft.
But what is the team’s biggest need?
That’s debatable as there are five or six positions on the football field that you can make the case for Kevin Colbert and his staff targeting when the Steelers are on the clock at No. 15 overall.
January 1,2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive linesman Taylor Lewan (77) reacts against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the 2013 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Michigan Wolverines 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
What’s their biggest need?
Let’s take a look.
Honorable Mention: Outside Linebacker
The Steelers drafted Jarvis Jones No. 17 overall and there is no doubting that Jones is a big part of the Steelers future. However, with LaMarr Woodley a potential salary cap casualty and Jason Worilds an unrestricted free agent, the Steelers have no depth at the position.
Even if they bring back one of Woodley or Worilds, which is like, there is still no depth, especially when you consider the fact that both guys are injury prone.
5. Offensive Tackle
Even though the Steelers offensive line performed quite well to close the season, there is no guarantee that they don’t revert back to their poor play that plagued the team during the first half of the year.
It would be nice to get new offensive line coach Mike Munchak a left tackle that could man the position for the next decade.
I’m just not sold on either Mike Adams or Kelvin Beachum being that consistent bookend tackle long term.
While guys like Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews and Auburn’s Greg Robinson certainly will be gone by the time the Steelers select, what if guys like Notre Dame’s Zack Martin or Michigan’s Taylor Lewan fall to the Steelers?
It’s certainly something to think about.
Ultimately though I think the Steelers have used plenty of high draft picks over the course of the past couple of seasons on O-linemen and won’t consider doing so again this year.