With the 2020 NFL draft in the books and very little salary cap space, the Pittsburgh Steelers have done about everything they can to set their roster heading into the team’s offseason program. Other than perhaps a late veteran cut the Steelers add late in the process, the team they have is who they will send into the regular season.
Let’s take a look at teach of the offensive positional units and see which are better and which are worse than the group that finished last season.
Quarterback
If we can safely assume Ben Roethlisberger will be back to start the season at 100 percent, this group is easily the most improved of any. 2019 was a wasted year with the rotation of Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at quarterback. The Steelers passing offense was No. 31 in the league last year in yards and the team failed to produce even a single 300-yard passing game.
Better
Running back
Like quarterback, injuries devastated the running back depth chart in 2019. Starter James Conner missed six games and key reserves Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell jr. missed multiple games as well. Just having the current group back healthy means this unit is better but once you figure in the addition of Anthony McFarland Jr. there is plenty of talent among this unit to feel confident going into training camp.
Better
Wide receiver
You cannot blame the abysmal lack of production by the Steelers wide receivers on them. The rotation of mediocre quarterback play was the most significant factor in why guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and James Washington didn’t have better seasons. The three combined for only 145 receptions in 2019. Smith-Schuster had 111 receptions by himself in 2018.
This group was already very talented but got even better with the addition of Chase Claypool in the draft. Claypool adds not only size but speed and will make all the other players on this offense better.
Better
Tight end
We aren’t sure if the tight end position is going to be a point of emphasis for the offense this season but if it is, they now have some weapons. We all already knew Vance McDonald has the potential to be a threat in the passing game but the addition of Eric Ebron only adds another layer to how the Steelers offense can attack defenses.
Better
Offensive line
This is a tough call. Losing Ramon Foster was huge. His retirement came suddenly for fans. The team signed Stefen Wisniewski to replace him which is essentially a push. The team also added Kevin Dotson in the draft who I would consider an upgrade over B.J. Finney who left in free agency.
But the problem comes with the rest of the starting lineup. Tackle Matt Feiler will be the only starter under 30 this season. This group is getting older and frankly didn’t play great football last season. I can’t say this group is better as the only change to the starting lineup is they are all a year older.
Worse
