In- depth offseason looks at Steelers, Chiefs, Packers,
Investments in secondary could pay off
The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame significant injuries in 2015 to qualify for the playoffs and go one step further.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and center Maurkice Pouncey all missed time, but the Steelers ranked third in the league in offensive yards and fourth in points.
They beat the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card game and led the Denver Broncos 13-12 late in the fourth quarter in the divisional round. But the Steelers let the game slip away.
The Steelers need improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Their secondary ranked third to last in the league in passing yards allowed. Even though the Steelers forced the third-most turnovers (30), the defense couldn’t match the offense.
Pittsburgh invested in its defense through the draft the last two offseasons and took defensive backs Artie Burns and Sean Davis with its first two selections this year. Coach Mike Tomlin thinks both draft picks could start immediately.
“I believe it’s realistic,” Tomlin said. “That’s why we chose them where we chose them. But they have to earn it, and we’ll give them the opportunity to do that.”
Davis switched from cornerback to safety while at Maryland and could take a little time to develop before starting, but Burns has the skill set to start on Day 1.
The window for another Super Bowl is starting to close for Roethlisberger and Co., but if the young defense shows improvement, it’s not out of the question. But with the Bengals on the rise and the Baltimore Ravens getting healthy again, the competition in
the AFC North is tougher than normal.
Still, if the team can stay healthy and beat up on its own division, a third consecutive play- off appearance is in the cards.
QUARTERBACK
No one threw for more passing yards per game than Roethlisberger (328), the best average of his career. In fact, if he hadn’t missed four games, he likely would have topped 5,000 yards for the season, an impressive feat for a guy who turned 34 right after the season. Last year’s backup, Michael Vick, is gone, so Landry Jones will play if Roethlisberger is injured again.
RUNNING BACK
Bell (2015 knee surgery) is questionable for the opening week, but the Steelers have the best backup running back in the league in DeAngelo Williams, 33, who had a resurgent season. His 11 rushing touchdowns were tied for an NFL high. He’s not the receiving threat that Bell (854 receiving yards in 2014) is, though. Bell ran for 1,361 yards in 2014 and averaged 92.7 yards per game last season in the six games he was able to play.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Steelers receiving corps took a hit when Martavis Bryant was suspended for the 2016 season after violating the substance abuse policy. But when you have Antonio Brown as your top receiver, you shouldn’t worry too much. Brown led the league in
receptions in each of the last two seasons and combined for more than 3,500 receiving yards in that time frame. The combo of Roethlisberger and Brown is arguably the league’s best tandem in the league.
TIGHT END
Heath Miller retired after an illustrious 11-season career in Pittsburgh that included two Pro Bowls and two championships. Pittsburgh snatched up Ladarius Green, who was one of the top tight ends in the free agent market. Green had 37 catches and four touchdowns last season with the San Diego Chargers.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The line was riddled with injuries last season. Pouncey missed the season, and Kelvin Beachum (who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars) was limited to six games. Pouncey is healthy and an aboveaverage protector. David DeCastro had a spectacular season at guard, and Alejandro Villanueva will have job security at left tackle with Beachum gone.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Pittsburgh’s front three dominated against the run last season, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards. Cameron Heyward, with 141⁄2 sacks over the last two years, leads the unit, and 2014 secondround pick Stephon Tuitt had a good second year with 61⁄ sacks. The team’s 2016 third-round pick, Javon Hargrave, could compete for the starting nose tackle job during training camp.
LINEBACKERS
Pittsburgh has a ton of depth at linebacker. Its inside slots are solid with Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier having very good 2015 campaigns. Shazier more than doubled his produc- tion from his rookie year, from 40 tackles to 87. The Steelers have a nice four-man rotation at outside linebacker with Arthur Moats and Bud Dupree having a slight edge to start the season. Veteran James Harrison and 2013 first-round pick Jarvis Jones will get their snaps, too.
SECONDARY
Pass defense was the Achilles’ heel, so the Steelers drafted Burns out of Miami (Fla.) in the first round. He takes over for Antwon Blake, who signed with Tennessee Titans. Burns had six interceptions in 2015, the most by any Hurricanes player since Sean Taylor. Will Allen remains a free agent, so the Steelers seem to be one safety short. Robert Golden is set to be a full-time starter for the first time.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Shaun Suisham was released after failing his physical, so the kicking job belongs to Chris Boswell. Seventh-round draft pick DeMarcus Ayers was explosive returning kicks in college and should match Brown’s dynamic style nicely.
COACHING
Despite the abysmal defensive play, Tomlin kept his coaching staff intact for 2016. Keith Butler returns for his second year as defensive coordinator and Carnell Lake for his sixth year as defensive backs coach.