The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed because the sixth, seventh, eighth, and seventh seed respectively within the AFC during the last 4 seasons. So it’s comprehensible that CBS Sports activities post-NFL Draft rankings slotted the Steelers in because the eighth greatest staff within the AFC heading into the Summer time. Regardless of a stable draft, they’ve nonetheless received main questions at quarterback, and till/in the event that they signal Aaron Rodgers, it’s exhausting to think about many NFL media websites predicting the Steelers to complete significantly better than .500.
“As soon as once more, it’s troublesome to evaluate the Steelers since we don’t know who shall be taking part in quarterback,” wrote CBS Sports activities’ Jordan Dajani. “Will it’s Aaron Rodgers, or…Will Howard? Derrick Harmon will make a right away impression for Teryl Austin, Kaleb Johnson could have the prospect to interchange Najee Harris and Jack Sawyer is a enjoyable pass-rushing prospect. Pittsburgh has some items right here, however I wish to know who’s throwing the ball to [DK] Metcalf and George Pickens.”
Talking on behalf of Steelers Nation, all of us wish to know who’s going to be behind heart Week 1. One other CBS Sports activities analyst ranked the Steelers final by way of their quarterback state of affairs in a latest article. The one motive the Steelers aren’t decrease in Dajani’s AFC rankings is due to the widespread expectation that Aaron Rodgers will signal with Pittsburgh. And the respect that the nationwide media has for Coach Mike Tomlin, who as everyone knows has by no means coached a shedding season.
Whereas quarterback is probably the most vital place within the sport and the Steelers haven’t performed a superb job addressing it, they did increase up a number of different positions of weak spot this offseason. Buying and selling for star large receiver DK Metcalf was one of many largest strikes within the league in the beginning of the brand new league yr. Now the Steelers have one of the vital intimidating pairs of outdoor receivers within the NFL with Pickens and Metcalf, they usually’re one slot receiver (Roman Wilson?) away from being a real high tier receiving corps.
Moreover, first spherical defensive deal with Derrick Harmon ought to plug in to assist repair a run protection that forfeited 299 yards on the bottom to the Baltimore Ravens in a humiliating Wild Card Spherical playoff loss. Harmon is ready as much as be Cam Heyward’s apprentice, and he can hopefully spearhead the line of defense for years to come back alongside Keeanu Benton.
The Steelers are returning nearly all of their starters on what was a high ten protection for a lot of the season, and their younger offensive line ought to solely enhance as they get more healthy and extra adjusted to the NFL stage.
Whereas the Steelers being ranked eighth by CBS wasn’t a lot of a shock, it was surprising to see the Cincinnati Bengals all the best way up at fifth within the AFC, and the Baltimore Ravens all the best way up within the high spot. The Bengals most likely had the worst protection within the league final yr, they usually didn’t do almost sufficient to deal with their defensive shortcomings this offseason, as a substitute opting to pay their high two large receivers an absurd amount of cash.
Their offense shall be among the finest within the league — and it nearly all the time shall be so long as quarterback Joe Burrow is wholesome — however protection is simply as vital as offense.
The Ravens had a tremendous draft they usually look fairly loaded on offense and protection, however they nonetheless shouldn’t be positioned above the Chiefs. Lamar Jackson hasn’t proven the flexibility to take care of his elite-level play deep into the postseason, and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs all the time appear to discover a solution to win the AFC irrespective of how inconceivable.
