As the negotation period for free agency behins, it is time once again for a complete list of the positions ranked based on needs. This is only based on players and not coaches
1. Offensive Line: Probably the biggest loss of the 2019 was Mike Munchak defecting to Denver. The downgrade from Munchak to the inept and unable Sean Sarrett helped lead to a steep regression in the o-line which helped take the entire offense down with it. Age also played a factor as well. AV was hot garbage, Foster retired, and Pouncey looked largely disinterested except for when he was fighting Myles Garrett. With age combined with the lack of coaching, the offensive line is in serious need of an infusion of new blood. An infusion of veterans with experience playing well and rookie draft picks with proper technique is seriously needed. The offensive line needs to greatly improved to help both Ben (or whichever QB is under center if he gets injured again) and the running game
2. Tight End: The Steelers don't have a starting caliber TE. People give lots of praise to Vance McDonald primarily for bulldozing a DB from the Bucs in September 2018 (the Bucs secondary has been garbage for years) but he has never shown to actually be a reliable TE. Nick Vannett meanwhile was useless, wasn't even worth the 5th round pick they gave up
3. Wide Receiver: Just like they don't have a no. 1 TE, they don't have a no. 1 WR either. Antonio Brown may be a selfish asshole but his thunderous departure was also very devastating. The Steelers do not have a no. 1 WR on the roster. Juju is pedestrian on a good day without AB and James Washington is good for giving off the illusion of a potential no. 1 for about 5 plays a seasonbefore disappearing the rest of the time. Diontae Johnson remains an unknown as is Deon Cane who flashed at times but wasn't give much of a chance by Fichtner to do much of anything. Still though, this teams needs a weapon in the passing game
4. Quarterback: The young QBs may not have gotten any help from a rapidly decaying o-line, no reliable pass catching weapons, and probably the worst offensive coordinators in the NFL, but Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges don't have the look of franchise QBs either. They are more like guys you want in spot duty under the right system as seen by how they got worse the more they stayed in the line-up. Ben may be coming back but he is a 38 year old QB coming off elbow injury, there is no guarantee he is the same guy. The search for a new franchise QB is not too early.
5. Defensive Line: Javon Hargrave's future and Stephon Tuitt's injury history casts a shadow of a doubt over this unit's future. If Hargrave re-signs this will be lower
6. Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick helped spark a dramatic defensive turnaround. However, after Fitzpatrick, the dropoff at safety is to put it kindly noticeable. Terrell Edmunds is the worst defensive starter on the team and there is further dropoff from the backups. Also Sean Davis may be leaving as well (and that's probably a good thing, that guy was a complete dud). If Fitzmagic goes down, the defense is toast, (just like it was before he arrived) so adding some quality at safety outside Fitzmagic is of high importance.
7. Outside Linebacker: TJ Watt has blossomed into a franchise cornerstone and was the best defensive player in 2019, but behind him is a mystery. Bud Dupree has been tagged and barring pulling a Le'Veon he will play and be playing for a contract which should work in the Steelers favor. However behind him the depth is barren. Chickillo is cut. 5-7 are all close together, all with 1 all-pro but depth andd question marks in the backup realm
8. Running back: People watch Derrick Henry and think a no. 1 RB is a need, but it isn't. I think they have enough at the position to do an effective by-committee approach. Benny Snell got better as the season went on, Jaylen Samuels does well when Fichtner actually uses him and Tarryn White also showed flashes and got a lot of his carries when Fichtner actually uses him. Plus drafting a RB in round 2 won't fix the root cause of the problem
9. Inside Linebacker: What a difference a bold move up makes. Devin Bush filled the need at ILB with a great rookie season, and he looks like he will only get better which is scary. Vince Williams is a good compliment to Bush. This team could use some depth though, especially with Barron being cut
10. Cornerback: How refreshing that this is the no. 10 spot after years of struggling at this position. Steven Nelson turned out to be a great pickup and formed a great duo with Joe Haden who had another great year. Then in the slot you have Mike Hilton who is a great slot corner (albeit an RFA) and Cam Sutton who also developed into a solid slot corner in his 3rd year. A position of weakness for the better part of the last decade has become a strength and the CBs along with Fitzpatrick helped the Steelers finish 3rd in NFL pass defense last year