With days before free agency, I am again ranking Steelers positional needs from most needed to least needed for 2017
1. Outside Linebacker: Depth at this crucial position is scarce right now. The best at the position is James Harrison who will be 39 during the season and will soon be retired and the promising Bud Dupree. Arthur Moats and Anthony Chickillo are not world beaters and draft bust Jarvis Jones is probably gone. A young pass rusher to rotate in and replace Harrison in the near future should be a top priority.
2. Cornerback: After being my pick (as well as surely many others) for biggest need the last few years, the addition and promise showed by Artie Burns is knocked down to my no. 2 need. Depth is still a major issue and the increased use of 3 CBs in the league elevates this need. Ross Cockrell is not bad but William Gay's play dropped off, and Senquez Golson cannot be counted upon to make it out of training camp
3. Safety: I strongly considered putting this as my no. 2 need and the increased use of 3 CBs is the main factor in CB edging safety for the no. 2 need. Sean Davis proved to be a great addition and looks like he could be really good for a long time, but Mike Mitchell is not the most consistent safety and is entering 30 to boot. A high end safety to pair with Davis for the future could boost the defense
4. Quarterback: It's time. I don't think Ben is retiring this year, but I can't see him going on for more than 2 years either. Add the fact that he hasn't been able to stay healthy for all 16 games and the fact that the duo of Jones/Mettenberger should scare no one and adding a replacement who could also serve as backup makes sense.
5. Tight end: This would be lower if Ladarius Green wasn't such a question mark to stay healthy. Green's recurring concussions are a serious issue that have caused him to miss a lot of time and could cause him to continue to miss a lot of time in the future. James may be better served as a no. 2 and Grimble has not shown enough to be considered a reliable option
6. Running back: On paper this should be set. Le'Veon Bell is arguably the best in the league. However, Le'Veon has not played 16 games in a season yet in his career, and every year he has been sidelined due to injury. DeAngelo Williams is a free agent who will turn 34 before the season begins. Plus Karlos Williams, while talented is still very much an unknown. Depth remains an issue
7. Inside Linebacker: While Lawrence Timmons may be a free agent, Ryan Shazier is a pro bowler, and Vince Williams has performed admirably when called upon to start. Adding another inside linebacker would not be a bad idea, but an urgent need this is not
8. Defensive Line: It never hurts to add depth to this position, but with 3 solid starters at the position and some backups added last year, the need is not as urgent as it was last year and there is no need for an upgrade
9. Wide Receiver: Some people will strongly disagree with this rankings but based on what the Steelers have I think this is appropriate. I of course am operating off the assumption that Martavis Bryant will be reinstated and I have no reason to believe he won't be. Bryant is a solid no. 2 behind AB the best wide receiver in the league. Eli Rogers also did well as a no. 3 WR and could easily improve with an added year of experience as could some other WRs who were rookies last year. Martavis Bryant's reliability remains the biggest question followed by the free agency status of Markus Wheaton
10. Offensive Line: This has to be considered the most stacked position on the team. All 5 starters are strong and even backups such as Chris Hubbard and BJ Finney filled in admirably in substitute roles. Plus last year's 4th round pick Jerald Hawkins is returning from IR
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Originally Posted by Mojouw
