The 2019 season was one the Pittsburgh Steelers wish they could forget. The season started with a 33-3 beating from the New England Patriots. Then the next week, future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Instead of considering the season lost and tanking in hopes of drafting their next franchise quarterback, the Steelers traded away their first-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Despite horrible quarterback play from Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges, the Steelers finished the year 8-8 and missed the playoffs by one game.
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Offseason Recap
Entering the offseason, the Steelers knew their cap situation would impact their free agency plans. However, before free agency started, Ramon Foster announced his retirement, opening up an expected hole at left guard. The Steelers placed the franchise tag on Bud Dupree and placed restricted tenders on Matt Feiler and Mike Hilton. However, after investing a lot of money in their defensive line, the Steelers allowed Javon Hargrave to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
To replace Hargrave, the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Chris Wormley and a seventh-round pick. In addition, the Steelers signed three critical free agents on the offensive side of the ball. They signed Stefen Wisniewski to replace Foster at left guard. Derek Watt was signed to be the team’s fullback and joins his brother, T.J. Watt, in Pittsburgh. Lastly, the Steelers signed Eric Ebron to a two-year deal in hopes of upgrading at tight end.
Offense
With the horrible quarterback play last season, the entire offense underachieved. After back to back seasons with over 900 yards and seven touchdowns, JuJu Smith-Schuster struggled in 2019. He had just 42 catches for 552 yards and three touchdowns. He also missed four games because of injury. With Big Ben back, JuJu should return to his star level play. Furthermore, JuJu is expected to have a running mate this season. As a rookie, Diontae Johnson was the Steelers’ best wide receiver. He had 59 catches for 680 yards and five touchdowns. Many expect him to take a big step forward in his development this season. Assuming Big Ben is 100 percent healthy, both JuJu and Johnson are in line for a big season.
In the backfield, the Steelers have some questions. Much like the rest of the offense, James Conner struggled with injuries last season. He missed six games and left several others early because of injuries. Now he looks healthy in camp, and the coaching staff views him as the featured back for as long as he can stay healthy. Behind him are several mid-round running backs led by Benny Snell Jr. Last season, Snell wasn’t very impressive, but the coaching staff has raved about the shape he is in and his mindset. If Conner struggles to stay healthy, Snell is the next man up.
Defense
Even with if the loss of Hargrave, this front seven is arguably the best in the league. Watt and Dupree are the best pass-rushing duo in the AFC North. Devin Bush Jr. was one of the best linebackers last season, despite being a rookie. He is the leader of the defense and a tackling machine. Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward are two of the more underrated players in the league. Tuitt missed 10 games last season because of injury but still put up his fifth straight season with three or more sacks. Meanwhile, Heyward had his third straight season with eight or more sacks.
In the secondary, Fitzpatrick is the leader and tone-setter. After joining the team after week two last season, the defense transformed into one of the league’s best. In 14 games with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick had five interceptions, 57 total tackles, and scored twice. His great season and the impact it had on the Steelers earned Fitzpatrick a Pro Bowl spot and a First-Team All-Pro selection. While Fitzpatrick is the star of the secondary, the cornerback trio of Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, and Mike Hilton is one of the more underrated trios in the league. As long as Fitzpatrick, Bush, and Watt stay healthy, this defense will be one of the best this season.
Predicting the 53 Man Roster
QB (2) – Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph
Despite the horrible play from Rudolph and Hodges last season, the Steelers did nothing to improve the backup quarterback situation. Hodges started last season on the practice squad, and that’s where he will start this season as well.
RB (5) – James Conner, Benny Snell Jr.., Anthony McFarland, Kerrith Whyte Jr., Derek Watt (FB)
Reportedly Jaylen Samuels‘ roster spot is in jeopardy. If he isn’t traded, he will likely be released. Whyte returns kicks and has a role on special teams, giving him the nod over Samuels. Watt’s signing will force Trey Edmunds to the practice squad.
WR (5) – JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Chase Claypool, Ryan Switzer
The top four guys on the list are a lock to make the roster. All four will play a specific role for the Steelers this season depending on the situation. Switzer likely secures the final roster spot given his ability to return punts and backup JuJu in the slot. Deon Cain could force the Steelers to keep six wide receivers but more likely ends up on the practice squad.
TE (3) – Eric Ebron, Vance McDonald, Zach Gentry
No surprises here. Ebron and McDonald are the top two tight ends, while Gentry is the blocking specialist.
OL (9) – Alejandro Villanueva, Stefen Wisniewski, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zach Banner, Kevin Dotson, Jaron Jones
Outside of Wisniewski, the other four starters return from last season. The team spent a fourth-round pick on Dotson, and he is expected to be their top reserve interior offensive linemen.ell
DL (6) – Cameron Heyward, Chris Wormley. Stephon Tuitt, Isaiah Buggs, Daniel McCullers, Carlos Davis
The top five guys on the list are a lock to make the roster. Heyward and Tuitt are one of the better duos in the league while Wormley takes over for Hargrave. Veteran Tyson Alualu could make the roster and push the seventh-round rookie Davis to the practice squad.
EDGE (5) – T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Alex Highsmith, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Tuzar Skipper
Watt and Dupree are arguably the best pass rush duo in the league. However, the depth behind them is very young and thin. Highsmith was a third-round pick, and the team has high hopes for him as the team’s third pass rusher. Adeniyi and Skipper could be pushed off the roster if a more experience option comes along.
LB (5) – Devin Bush Jr., Vince Williams, Ulysees Gilbert, Jayrone Elliott, Robert Spillane
Much like the edge unit, the linebacker group is top-heavy. Bush is an emerging star in the league, while Williams is a solid veteran next to him. Gilbert played sparingly as a rookie last season, so expect the Steelers to look at adding a veteran to this unit after the preseason cuts are made.
CB (6) – Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, Justin Layne, Cameron Sutton, Curtis Riley
Haden and Nelson are starters on the outside while Hilton mans the nickel spot. Layne was a third-round pick last year and needs to take a step forward this season while Sutton offers versatility as a nickel/safety hybrid. Riley will have to fend off undrafted free agents Trajan Bandy and James Pierre for the final roster spot at cornerback.
SAF (4) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Jordan Dangerfield, Antoine Brooks Jr.
Lead by Fitzpatrick, the safety unit is one of the better ones on the team. Edmunds is the start opposite of Fitzpatrick, while Dangerfield is the top reserve. Brooks will likely earn the final safety spot but fight off Marcus Allen for it. More than likely, Allen will start the year on the practice squad like he did last season.
ST (3) – Jordan Berry, Chris Boswell, Kameron Canaday
There are no surprised here. Berry averaged 45.5 yards per punt last season, while Boswell has been the team’s kicker since 2015 and has made 87 percent of his kicks in his career. Canaday returns for his fourth season as the long snapper.
2020 Outlook
The future is bright in Pittsburgh. Had the NFL changed the rules to add a seventh playoff team in each conference before last season, the Steelers would have made the playoffs with horrible quarterback play. Assuming Big Ben can stay healthy, there is no reason why the Steelers don’t make the playoffs this season. If not for the fact that the Ravens are in the division, the Steelers would be heavy favorites to win the AFC North. However, despite the Ravens in their way, the Steelers will make the playoffs and possibly win the division as well. They are a team too many people are sleeping on.
Season Prediction: 11-5, make the playoffs and challenge for the AFC North division title.
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