Tag: 2020 Steelers season

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Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the most dynamic pass-rushing tandem in the NFL. If the Steelers want to get back to the playoffs, they need a repeat performance from this unit, especially considering this might be the last season it looks this good.

Here’s our look back and forward for the Pittsburgh outside linebacker.

Looking back at 2019

Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt really were the dynamic duo of edge rushers last season. The two combined for 26 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 53 quarterback hits. You could say the Steelers didn’t have much in the way of depth at outside linebacker but it really didn’t matter. Dupree played just over 90 percent of the defensive snaps and Watt played 86.25 percent. The Steelers have a long tradition of dominant outside linebackers and these two held up that tradition with pride.

Looking ahead to 2020

Watt and Dupree return but with Dupree playing on the franchise tag, it’s highly likely this will be his last year in Pittsburgh. This means it is in the Steelers best interest to rotate guys in a little more. Ola Adeniyi has shown some promise but this year’s third-round pick, Alex Highsmith is a better overall candidate to replace Dupree in 2021. Either way, these guys need reps for the coaches to see what they have.

Overall

It was tremendous to see the light finally come on for Dupree. He turned it into a huge one-year payday and if he can repeat and even build on it, this can only help Pittsburgh. Watt on the other hand is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and one of the best all-around defenders in the NFL. This positional unit is in great hands for this season and the future.

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Every season, the Pittsburgh Steelers find a way to hold their roster together despite the restraints of an NFL salary cap. But this doesn’t mean every contract decision is the best one. Here are the three worst salary cap hits on the books right now for the Steelers.

Tight end | Vance McDonald $3.827 million

Considering the Steelers signed Eric Ebron as a free agent, I’m a little surprised the Steelers kept McDonald’s $3.827 million on the books for the 2020 season. Mcdonald has 88 receptions in the past two seasons but has never been a consistent part of the Steelers’ offense.

There’s no denying the Pittsburgh Steelers have a loaded roster. You scan both sides of the football and you see former first and second-round picks everywhere. But there are some guys on the roster who aren’t bad but the perceptions of talented they are is skewed by the players around them.

Not surprisingly, all the guys on our overrated list are on the offensive side of the football. Here are our four most overrated Steelers.

OT Alejandro Villanueva

We are going to find out if Villaneuva can perform without Ramon Foster next to him on the offensive line. As a pass protector, Villanueva was solid in 2019. He allowed two sacks but overall wasn’t a liability. But his run blocking left much to be desired. Villaneuva was called for 10 penalties last season and it showed up on film just how much he struggled in helping the run game.

Despite going into the offseason with very little money to spend, the Pittsburgh Steelers front office did a nice job getting their roster in order and be sure the Steelers can be competitive in the AFC. But with the preseason less than three months away, the work isn’t done.

Here are three things the  Steelers still need to finish up before the start of the season.

Bringing in a veteran inside linebacker

I have as much optimism as anyone when it comes to the potential of Ulysees Gilbert III as the team’s third off-ball linebacker. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh should still look into adding another player who could take that fourth spot and be an ace on special teams while still providing support on defense.

After two straight years without a trip to the playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers fans are both frustrated and hopeful for the 2020 season. The return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger should mean the Steelers are a contender for the AFC but here are four things that will almost assure the Steelers won’t make it to the Super Bowl, much less win it.

Another catastrophic injury

Who qualifies as irreplaceable on the Steelers roster right now? Obvious No. 1 is Roethlisberger. If the Steelers lose Big Ben again, the season will once again be lost. But is there another player who qualifies? A case could be made that linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could both be players, if lost for the season would sink the season.