The offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers has been the busiest in recent memory. The Steelers have added multiple players in free agency and the draft to help bolster both sides of the football. But with their strategy to double up on positions like wide receiver, cornerback and inside linebacker in the draft and free agency, did they do enough at outside linebacker?
The only significant additions to the outside linebacker depth chart this offseason were rookies Sutton Smith and Ulysees Gilbert III. They were both sixth-round picks and it is unclear if either guy will even make the team.
Realistically, the Steelers only have T.J. Watt as a reliable option on the outside. This season is literally make or break for Bud Dupree so we get why the Steelers didn’t make a big move in free agency to push him. The coaching staff is going to give Dupree every chance to succeed or fail this season.
But what is the contingency plan for the future? If Dupree can’t turn it around and the Steelers chose to let him walk in free agency, all their eggs are in the basket of Anthony Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi.
These moves — or lack of — will also potentially put outside linebacker at the top of next offseason’s priority list. This could put a rookie in the starting lineup opposite Watt.
It’s hard to look at two cornerbacks added, two wide receivers added and two inside linebackers added and not wonder if one of those transactions couldn’t have been better used on another outside pass rusher.
