Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching in a month, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. The Steelers are not known to be the most active team in free agency, but in the past three years, they did sign Mike Mitchell and Ladarius Green, so something is possible. The Steelers pick 30th this season, and most of their success comes down to drafting well. So with that said, what are the three biggest positions of need?
Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 Off-Season: Top 3 Needs
Outside Linebacker
The Steelers will have to invest the defensive line this season. Through major parts of 2016, the pass rush was non-existent. It took James Harrison a while to get back, and Bud Dupree missed most of the season due to injury. Jarvis Jones eventually was benched for Harrison and is now a free agent. They will have to fill his spot, while worrying about what do in Harrison’s spot, given that if they want the 39-year-old to show up for the big games, he cannot play every snap this season.
The position should be filled in the first two rounds of the draft. They may sign a veteran free agent to battle with Arthur Moats and Anthony Chickillo, but they may also draft the position in the first round, and then eventually invest another pick on it as well. It is the top priority this off-season, and they should draft to fill the need.
Cornerback
Ross Cockrell is a restricted free agent this off-season. The chances are that he will be back because if he does not come back, the Steelers are paper thin at the position. Artie Burns showed signs of being a great cornerback, but also took his rookie bumps and bruises. William Gay is now a slot option at best. Senquez Golson has missed his first two seasons, and almost nobody recovers from that, and aside from those four, there are no options.
They will bring Cockrell back, but that does not mean they are set at the position. This could be the only position the Steelers spend any outside money on. It would be a depth guy with veteran experience, but they need to add to the talent pool. They also should be looking to draft this position. It would likely come in the second through the fourth round.
Linebacker
James Harrison and Ross Cockrell will likely be back, the biggest question is if Lawrence Timmons will be back. Timmons was overpaid last season, and the Steelers will likely be looking for a hometown discount this time around. The question now is if he gets it.
Without Timmons, this becomes need number one. Vince Williams has performed at times and is a great special teamer. However, while fans bash Timmons for his coverage over the middle, that isn’t necessarily to say that Williams would be better. Timmons is still a pretty quick guy for his age, and would still be a better option for a full season.
Still, if he is back or not, they have to look to replace him in the next two years. Williams can step up, but some depth and speed would be needed to add to the group. This is another position they will likely look to the draft to fill.
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