Steelers: 2017 NFL Draft, Strengths and Weaknesses
With the NFL Draft right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take a quick look at the roster for the Steelers.
Every football fan will soon find themselves with new players to praise, blame and everything in between. But before Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the Steelers first pick, let’s take a look at where the team’s roster currently stands.
In the business world, organizations will sometimes evaluate their current standing through a “SWOT analysis,” which measures internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats.
This can also be a valuable tool for gauging a team when you’re a fanatic, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do with this article. So let’s put on our GM caps and take a look at the Steelers roster heading into the 2017 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Paving the Way
The offensive line continues to be a strength for the Steelers. This is an extremely talented and experienced group that makes everything possible for the team’s offensive playmakers.
Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert deserve to have their names recognized on more than the occasional holding call. People forget that Ben was sacked over 180 times between 2006-2009.
The Killer B’s
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Oh yeah, those guys behind the line aren’t too shabby either. You can always win when you have a franchise quarterback. Surrounding pieces like Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Martavis Bryant (yes, he’s back) can help you win some ball games, too.
However, the best ability you can have is availability, and that will continue to be the key for Pittsburgh’s offense moving forward.
Weaknesses
In today’s pass-happy NFL, you need to be able to disrupt the quarterback. That requires an effective pass rush and solid coverage downfield. The “Steel Curtain” has struggled to be consistent with either of those two things in recent years.
The Steelers boast a promising defensive line. The team’s pass rush issues stem directly from the outside linebacker position.
James Harrison, who will be 39 next month, continues to beat left tackles and father time, but how much can he have left in the tank? Bud Dupree has been working with pass rushing sensei Chuck Smith this off-season and Smith has big expectations for the former first-round pick out of Kentucky.
"He’s going to be the Defensive Player of the Year next season."
There are big expectations in Pittsburgh, but there are even bigger question marks heading into the 2017 season. Look for the Steelers to double-dip at edge rusher in the draft and solidify the position.
Secondary Issues
There are currently four guys in the Steelers secondary that I feel comfortable with moving into the 2017 season – Mike Mitchell, Ross Cockrell, Sean Davis and Artie Burns.
I’m not saying William Gay, Senquez Golson or the newly signed Coty Sensabaugh are incapable of contributing next season, but I am saying that you can’t count on it.
Personally, I’m hoping the Steelers hold out until day two of the draft to address secondary. They should be able to add a quality contributor like Desmond King or Cam Sutton in round three.
Opportunities & Threats
Is this Ben’s last year? Can Ladarius Green stay healthy? Can we trust Martavis Bryant? Will Senquez Golson play in a regular season game? Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?
The truth is, we don’t have the answers.
One thing we do know is that the Steelers have a plan. Their roster has a great balance of young and experienced play-makers and will continue to because they do things the Rooney way – building through the draft.
After the draft concludes, we will have a clear picture of how the Steelers viewed their own “SWOT analysis.”
Next: Steelers' Bell, Dupree, Rookies have banner day
Before you go…
The NFL Draft is a time full of excitement. If you’re anything like me, it will involve a lot of couch time, a few beverages and hours of salivating over highlight tapes. Everyone is undefeated on draft weekend, and that’s something even Browns fans can get behind.