2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Pittsburgh Steelers

With considerable attention being paid to other AFC playoff teams this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been largely left unmentioned.

This is typical of the Steelers, who tend to go about their business, play tremendous defense and win football games without a lot of flash or bravado.

In other words, this isn't a sexy team.

Still, heading into the playoffs last year, they were the team Patriot fans were most concerned about and if it weren't for injuries, may well have been the team playing for a Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, injuries happen to every team and Pittsburgh simply hasn't done a good job in recent years of drafting and developing players in the secondary or the offensive and defensive fronts of this team.

When you don't have depth or young players who are ready to play, injuries, which are part of the game for every team, hurt that much more.

Despite all of that, this team won 12 games, finished first in total defense and was a Tim Tebow overtime throw away from playing the eventual AFC Champions in the playoffs.

There are holes, particularly in the offensive and defensive lines, but if they can be addressed, Pittsburgh could be a team who comes back in a big way in 2012.
   
Offense

The identity of this team offensively has changed in the past few years. The emergence of Pittsburgh's young, lightening quick receivers has turned this into a big-play offense. Mike Wallace and Andre Brown form one of the best receiving duos in the league and create match-up problems for defenses with their speed.

Injuries and depth concerns have hindered the offense's ability to run the football, as have the Steelers' relative lack of depth in the backfield. With Mewelde Moore heading to free agency, the Pittsburgh should look to find a suitable change of pace back to spell Rashard Mendenhall.

Talent on the offensive line, however, is the bigger problem. Four Steelers offensive lineman are free agents, although Doug Legursky is restricted. Outside of center Maurkice Pouncey, there isn't a top-level offensive lineman in this group which means getting better there is a must.

Drafting a quarterback this year seems like a strong possibility as well given that all three of Pittsburgh's back-ups are free agents this year.    


Key Free Agents: Charlie Batch QB, Jericho Cotchery WR, Dennis Dixon QB, Trai Essex G, Chris Kemoeatu G, Doug Legursky G, Mewelde Moore RB, Max Starks, Hines Ward (retired)

Defense 

Defense will continue to be how the Steelers win consistently. Troy Polamalu isn't the player he used to be and has had a problem staying healthy, but this group plays so well fundamentally and physically that it can mask some of the personnel deficiencies.

Losing James Farrior in free agency hurts because he was one of the key leaders of that defense and made calls at the line. Harrison and Woodley form probably the best 3-4 linebacker tandem in football, but the interior could use some help.

The biggest problem defensively for the Steelers is their three-man front. They lost to the Broncos last year, in part because they literally ran out of defensive lineman to put on the field. Not to mention that ones they do have on the roster are getting older. An upgrade here is a must.

As with every NFL team, getting depth in the defensive backfield should always be a focus, particularly when the Steelers know to win the AFC they'll have to beat teams like New England, Baltimore and Houston, all of whom like the throw the ball around the yard. 

Key Free Agents: James Farrior ILB, William Gay (signed w/ Cardinals), Aaron Smith DE,

Draft Targets

Needs: OL,DL,LB,RB,DB

Round 1 (Pick 24): Devon Still DT Penn State (Pos. Rank 4, Overall Rank: 24)

In a perfect world, one of the top shelf offensive lineman falls to the Steelers here. A player like Cordy Glenn would be a great fit in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, Still was considered by many to be the top defensive tackle prospect heading into the combine when guys like Dontari Poe and Fletcher Cox blew scouts away with their athleticism. Still is not a penetrating tackle, but uses his hands well to control offensive lineman and has the kind of frame that fits what Pittsburgh asks of their defensive ends in their 3-4.

Round 2 (Pick 56): Alameda Ta'amu NT Washington (Pos. Rank: 8, Overall Rank: 56)

Pittsburgh has one of the best nose tackles in the game in Casey Hampton. Ta'amu has a chance to be that kind of elite-level player as well. He showed that at the Senior Bowl with an absolutely dominating week of practice. On the other hand, he doesn't show that explosiveness and power all of the time, whether it's conditioning or focus. In a defense surrounded by other elite talent and veteran leadership, Pittsburgh would be the ideal place to maximize his potential. This could be a swindle of a deal for the Steelers.


Round 3 (Pick 86): James Brown G/T Troy (Pos. Rank: 6, Overall Rank: 91)

Finally the Steelers address their biggest issue which is help on the offensive line. Brown played tackle at Troy, something you can see in his agility and nimble footwork. If a team like the Steelers want to slide him inside to guard, he'll have to work on bending and anchoring inside, particularly since he's tall with long arms. Not a technician, Brown is a competitor and a terrific athlete who has a high ceiling in the NFL.

Overall 

Pittsburgh has done an excellent job in recent drafts of getting offensive talent with guys like Wallace and Brown. It's important that the Steelers address their fronts on both sides of the ball and this draft does that, while also maintaining the integrity of their pick's value. The draft value (-5) rests mostly on the reach for Brown since Still and Ta'amu are drafted literally exactly where their value dictates. On the other hand, Brown is a player with a tremendous upside and if you're going to reach, you have to weigh the possible rewards. In this case the Steelers address their defensive lines with solid value and that gives them the flexibility to be more aggressive with a high-ceiling player.

Final Thought

Even if Pittsburgh doesn't draft or bring in any impact players, this is a 10 win team if they're healthy. At least. But that's the point: the Steelers need to add talent to weather any injury storms. Addressing the fronts in the draft, while also adding a running back and back-up quarterback would give the Steelers piece of mind knowing the key cogs are place already. This is a playoff team and one that is certainly still smarting from that playoff exit at the hands of Tebowmania. An angry Steeler team is not one you want to see if you're an opponent.