The Pittsburgh Steelers are a quality team coming off of an impressive 11-5 season. But even with a post-season berth last year, it was clear that the Steelers had some major needs. Both the front seven and the secondary were in need of some major upgrades and the tight end position was a bit of a question mark as well.
Were the Steelers able to address these needs in last week's NFL Draft? ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. must have thought so because he gave the team an A- draft grade.
"The Steelers had a really good draft," Kiper wrote. "I think they needed help at every level of their defense, and not only added a pass-rusher, but they also went hard after secondary talent, which was needed because of how depleted they were in that area. Bud Dupree felt like a steal at No. 22 overall. Given the off-field issues that affected the pass-rushing group, to have him available at that point was a surprise to me. I thought he could have gone as high as No. 8 overall."
Dupree finished last season at Kentucky with 74 total tackles including 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. He has drawn favorable comparisons to New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins from NFL.com.
"Senquez Golson is one of my favorite players in the draft, an INT machine at Ole Miss who plays bigger than his size and has the hands I wish more wide receivers had. Elsewhere in the secondary, the Steelers added a steady college performer in Doran Grant out of Ohio State, and then the nation's leader in INTs last year, Gerod Holliman. You think they wanted to find answers in the secondary? Yep, those guys were green, but at least the depth chart looks better."
The Steelers lost Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor to retirement this offseason though neither player had a big on-field impact last year. The Steelers ranked 27th in passing yards allowed per game (243.1), 22nd in opposing completion percentage (64.5) and 28th in passing touchdowns allowed (30) in 2014. Reshaping the secondary was a top priority for Pittsburgh.
"The fun one to watch will be Sammie Coates, not only because every wide receiver the Steelers take in this range seems to turn into Superman, but also because he truly is one of the physical freaks in this draft. If he can catch it better and add some refinement, you never know what can happen. They looked for some D-line help late (like I said, needs at every level) with L.T. Walton and Anthony Chickillo. Good week for the Steelers."
