The Steel Curtain is more like aluminum these days.
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a dominant defense for a few years now, with 2014 marking a particularly pedestrian season. The once-feared defense finished 18th in yards per game (368) and points per game (23) and just 26th in sacks (33).
Sure, Pittsburgh still made it to the post-season. But they were ousted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round and have lost their identity as a team.
"For the second consecutive year, the Steelers finished in the bottom third in the NFL in sacks with 33, their fewest in 26 years," Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote. "But unlike 2013, the quarterback hurries/pressure took a significant downward turn, which has become a cause for concern.
"Hurries/pressures - a stat compiled by the Steelers coaching staff - dipped 32 percent last season, from 151 to 103. The Steelers had at least 139 hurries/pressures every year since 2006. They have also had sack seasons of 51, 46 and 48 to go along with it."
The Steelers have several veterans set to hit the open market this offseason. Jason Worilds, Arthur Moats and James Harrison will all be unrestricted free agents while Brett Keisel may retire. Fortunately for the Steelers, the upcoming NFL draft offers plenty of quality pass-rushing options.
"ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said this draft will be a deep one for pass rusher, and the Steelers might need more than a few of them given their uncertainty at outside linebacker," ESPN's Scott Brown wrote. "'That's probably the strongest position in this draft, those combo guys that can get after the quarterback,' Kiper said during a recent conference call...The Steelers pick No. 22 overall and probably won't get a chance to select Nebraska's Randy Gregory or Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. unless they trade up in the first round.
"Kentucky's Bud Dupree could be available later in the first round. Kiper said Utah's Nate Orchard, Louisville's Lorenzo Maldin and Arkansas' Trey Flowers are edge rushers who could be available in the second or third round."
