State of the Steelers thread

**WNCRavensFan** · 03-17-2021, 03:27 AM

Year after year I've written the Steelers off only to see them make the playoffs. This includes the 2020 season, though they ran out of gas by December. Can they actually be competitive yet again in a division with the Ravens and Browns? And maybe even the Bengals if they don't get Joe Burrow killed behind that OL?

Right now on the first actual day of free agency (3:17) the Steelers are under the cap, but not by much. So they've accomplished that by losing:

Tyson Alualu (JAX)
Bud Dupree (TEN)
Matt Feiler (LAC)
Mike Hilton (CIN)
Vance McDonald (retired)
Maurkice Pouncey (retired)
Vince Williams (cut)

They're still looking at losing, without making further cap adjustments:

Jordan Berry
James Conner
Sean Davis
Joshua Dobbs
Jerald Hawkins
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Alejandro Villanueva
Chris Wormley

They were able to bring back:

Marcus Allen
Zach Banner
BJ Finney
JC Hassenauer
Ray-Ray McLoud
Cameron Sutton

And finally, they've added from outside the organization:

-zippo-

**WNCRavensFan** · 03-17-2021, 03:28 AM

This means right now you've got the following depth chart:

QB - Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins

RB - Benny Snell Jr, Anthony McFarland Jr, Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds
FB - Derek Watt

LWR - Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud, Cody White
RWR - Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Anthony Johnson
TE - Eric Ebron, Zach Gentry, Charles Jones, Kevin Rader, Dax Raymond

LT - Chukwuma Okorafor, Jarron Jones
LG - Kevin Dotson, Brandon Walton
C - JC Hassenauer, BJ Finney
RG - David DeCastro, Aviante Collins
RT - Zach Banner, Anthony Coyle, John Leglue

DT - Cameron Heyward, Carlos Davis
NT - Isaiah Buggs, Demarcus Christmas
DE - Stephon Tuitt, Henry Mondeaux, Calvin Taylor Jr

LOLB - TJ Watt, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi
LILB - Devin Bush Jr, Robert Spillane, Tegray Scales
RILB - Marcus Allen, Ulysses Gilbert III
ROLB - Alex Highsmith

LCB - Joe Haden, James Pierre, Trevor Williams
FS - Minkah Fitzpatrick, Antoine Brooks Jr
SS - Terrell Edmunds, John Battle
RCB - Justin Layne, Steven Nelson, Stephen Denmark
NB - Cameron Sutton

K - Chris Boswell
P - Corliss Waitman
LS - Christian Kuntz

signed
resigned
drafted
reserve/futures

**leachisabeast** · 03-17-2021, 05:28 AM

The Steelers have definitely downgraded their roster and will need a really good draft to be able to compete for the division. I will never write them off though, winning is just in their DNA.

**GOTA** · 03-17-2021, 06:43 AM

It is weird that they brought Ben back but are at the same time trying this retool of the offensive line and defense. You would think they would address the RB position, probably with a high pick in the draft, and go for it 1 last time with Ben. You're seeing the Bucs do that right now. The Saints went to crazy lengths to keep things together for Brees. The Broncos had that last year with Peyton Manning. Instead Ben is going to see a lot of unfamiliar faces in his final year. Honestly they should consider trading up for a QB if they're looking to rebuild this much.

**Pshawww** · 03-17-2021, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by WNCRavensFan

Year after year I've written the Steelers off only to see them make the playoffs. This includes the 2020 season, though they ran out of gas by December. Can they actually be competitive yet again in a division with the Ravens and Browns? And maybe even the Bengals if they don't get Joe Burrow killed behind that OL?

Right now on the first actual day of free agency (3:17) the Steelers are under the cap, but not by much. So they've accomplished that by losing:

Tyson Alualu (JAX)
Bud Dupree (TEN)
Matt Feiler (LAC)
Mike Hilton (CIN)
Vance McDonald (retired)
Maurkice Pouncey (retired)
Vince Williams (cut)

They're still looking at losing, without making further cap adjustments:

Jordan Berry
James Conner
Sean Davis
Joshua Dobbs
Jerald Hawkins
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Chris Wormley

They were able to bring back:

Marcus Allen
Zack Banner
BJ Finney
JC Hassenauer
Ray-Ray McLoud
Cameron Sutton

And finally, they've added from outside the organization:

-zippo-

What about Al Villanueva ?

**Ravenswintitle** · 03-17-2021, 08:31 AM

They need an offensive tackle more than a RB so that should be their first round pick if the guy is there.

I think they're fine with Ben, he always finds a way (when not injured).

Losing Bud Dupree is huge, that one hurt

**camdenyard** · 03-17-2021, 08:42 AM

You are judging the cake and it isn't even in the oven yet.

A little perspective is in order here.

Oh and by the way, the Ravens currently have no-one outside of Bowser capable of a pass rush. Which wasn't great last year.

Lots of time for all teams until the bullets start flying in September.

**Bhcforlife** · 03-17-2021, 08:45 AM

I think the best case scenario for the Steelers this season is another hot start before fading down the stretch again. Whether that puts them in contention for the division, we'll see. Their defense should be stout but I don't think Ben's arm is going to be there for 16+ games especially once the weather turns. It wasn't last year and that usually doesn't change another year older.

**camdenyard** · 03-17-2021, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bhcforlife

I think the best case scenario for the Steelers this season is another hot start before fading down the stretch again. Whether that puts them in contention for the division, we'll see. Their defense should be stout but I don't think Ben's arm is going to be there for 16+ games especially once the weather turns. It wasn't last year and that usually doesn't change another year older.

The only reason Ben is there for 2021 is because he has to be. The cap chickens finally came home to roost in Pittsburgh.

**HotInHere** · 03-17-2021, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

You are judging the cake and it isn't even in the oven yet.

A little perspective is in order here.

Oh and by the way, the Ravens currently have no-one outside of Bowser capable of a pass rush. Which wasn't great last year.

Lots of time for all teams until the bullets start flying in September.

Absolutely true. The one big difference is that the Steelers don't have a whole lot of flexibility in baking that cake. They're looking in their cupboard and there's an old can of Cheez Wiz, and they have $1.75 to go to the grocery store. Hard -- but not impossible -- to make an edible cake with that.

**camdenyard** · 03-17-2021, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by HotInHere

Absolutely true. The one big difference is that the Steelers don't have a whole lot of flexibility in baking that cake. They're looking in their cupboard and there's an old can of Cheez Wiz, and they have $1.75 to go to the grocery store. Hard -- but not impossible -- to make an edible cake with that.

LOL. Touche'

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