Position of Need/Prospect Watch for 2022-23 Season

[Born2Steel]

I believe we are all thinking we need to draft a quality OL or 2 this next draft. Maybe bring in a top tier FA as well. There are other positions that seem to be lacking as well even if only for quality depth. I thought this thread can be used to discuss those positions throughout this season as they will change probably, as well as put out some prospect names from the college ranks that fit those positions for the Steelers.

Pre-game1 our OL has been pitiful and lacking. Priority #1 IMO.

RB...hear me out. Najee cannot continue at a nearly 400 totes per season pace. We need some quality depth here.

DL, OLB, ILB....Even if the starters are top tier, the depth is very poor.

You can never have too many quality DBs and LBs.



I know this is not an exciting daily discussion thread but over the course of this season we may end up with some good conversation fodder that may spark some every day discussion threads.

[steelreserve]

We may very quickly find our biggest hole to be DB or DL if any of several things happens:

- Edmunds leaves after this season

- The new starting CB corps doesn't work out

- Heyward retires

- Both Heyward and Alualu retire

The OL may need a lot of improvement, but the things above are the ones that would make it so that we MUST do something. And I'd say it's highly likely one or more of them happens. I guess DL could scrape by with our existing depth players, but so far that's all they are, depth players.

We will probably still take an OL in round 1 or 2 if we don't land a decent free agent(s). But I am also not convinced talent is the biggest problem there. If the issue is you have a shitty coach in charge of the line, you can throw all the high draft picks you want at the problem and it won't make a bit of difference.

[polamalubeast]

The needs could be completely different between now and after the regular season and after free agency....

[Born2Steel]

We may very quickly find our biggest hole to be DB or DL if any of several things happens:

- Edmunds leaves after this season

- The new starting CB corps doesn't work out

- Heyward retires

- Both Heyward and Alualu retire

The OL may need a lot of improvement, but the things above are the ones that would make it so that we MUST do something. And I'd say it's highly likely one or more of them happens. I guess DL could scrape by with our existing depth players, but so far that's all they are, depth players.

We will probably still take an OL in round 1 or 2 if we don't land a decent free agent(s). But I am also not convinced talent is the biggest problem there. If the issue is you have a shitty coach in charge of the line, you can throw all the high draft picks you want at the problem and it won't make a bit of difference.

I feel like there has been solid effort with the DL and even at the CB position this past offseason as well as last year. But if the current corps doesn't work out we could very well be back at square 1.

I honestly like the Safety room. A lot.

I want to give this OL some time with 1 guy at Center and just see if they get better as the season goes on. Some of the woes have been talent/experience, fundamental mechanics and penalty issues are coaching though.

[DuckHodges]

We need some big uglies. OL and DL. Heyward is great but getting up there in age. We don't know how long Alualu will play for

[steelreserve]

I feel like there has been solid effort with the DL and even at the CB position this past offseason as well as last year. But if the current corps doesn't work out we could very well be back at square 1.

I honestly like the Safety room. A lot.

I want to give this OL some time with 1 guy at Center and just see if they get better as the season goes on. Some of the woes have been talent/experience, fundamental mechanics and penalty issues are coaching though.


When guys are just overmatched and can't block their man, it's a talent issue. When they're lost and miscommunicating, it's a coaching issue. We may have a little of both - for example, Moore just may not be an effective left tackle - but the bigger problem is that we have a bunch of guys not playing up to their ability. You'd normally expect to get this kind of play out of a unit consisting of 7th-round draft picks, bench players, and street free agents, and half of them were forced into starting roles unexpectedly. These guys should be doing better.

At CB the issue is just kind of a coin flip, they made some moves but who knows how these guys will play together. DL is more like we could be ok for a couple years if everything goes right - new guy is starter material and all we lose is Alualu - but there are a lot of ifs. I really would be surprised if Alualu is here longer than this season.

[Born2Steel]

When guys are just overmatched and can't block their man, it's a talent issue. When they're lost and miscommunicating, it's a coaching issue. We may have a little of both - for example, Moore just may not be an effective left tackle - but the bigger problem is that we have a bunch of guys not playing up to their ability. You'd normally expect to get this kind of play out of a unit consisting of 7th-round draft picks, bench players, and street free agents, and half of them were forced into starting roles unexpectedly. These guys should be doing better.

At CB the issue is just kind of a coin flip, they made some moves but who knows how these guys will play together. DL is more like we could be ok for a couple years if everything goes right - new guy is starter material and all we lose is Alualu - but there are a lot of ifs. I really would be surprised if Alualu is here longer than this season.

OL: When you watch guys consistently use poor footwork and mechanics, or getting multiple calls for holding and false starts, that's on coaching. You either fix it or you're letting it continue. That is what has me so disappointed with the preseason.

Guys are going to get beat, it happens. The Jags scrimmage specifically our OTs were getting embarrassed though. That falls on our guys were just not good enough.

I wouldn't say I'm happy here, but I feel like the interior of the OL has already improved over 3 preseason games. I saw some pass offs and double teams that didn't allow a free runner straight at the QB vs the Lions. I'm gonna take that as a positive because that's what I do.