Grading Pittsburgh Steelers' Most Improved Positional Units

Training camp is still two months away, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a strong effort this offseason to improve the roster from top to bottom.

From adding a plethora of young defenders and playmakers in the draft to signing a veteran running back, the Steelers have a much-deeper team heading into the 2015 season. However, will it be deep enough to make a return trip to the playoffs?

As long as everything goes according to general manager Kevin Colbert’s plan, not only will the Steelers be deep enough, but they’ll also be an improved team this fall. Here is a look at the areas in which the Steelers improved the most this offseason.

Final 2014 Grade: B

Until Heath Miller slows down, the Steelers should feel comfortable at tight end. He had one of the better statistical seasons of his career last year with 66 receptions for 761 yards and three touchdowns and should once again be one of Ben Roethlisberger’s top targets.

Behind Miller is Matt Spaeth, who offers little as a receiver, but is a strong in-line blocker. Although not the reason for Pittsburgh’s strong ground game last year, he was a certainly a help and earned a two-year deal to stay with the team.

However, with both tight ends over 30 years old, the Steelers were in the market for young players to develop behind them. Last year, they drafted Rob Blanchflower at the end of the draft, but this year they selected a prospect with substantially more upside—Jesse James.

As a fifth-round choice, James has some holes in his game, but he also has potential to develop into a quality No. 2—or even starting—tight end. At 6’7” and 261 pounds, he has the size to compete as a blocker, yet enough athleticism to contribute in the passing game.

Even though he is a year or two away from the starting lineup, James helped solidify the depth chart for the 2015 season and may even develop into a red-zone threat as a rookie.

Current Grade: B+

Final 2014 Grade: C-

To say that Pittsburgh’s pass rush is poor would be an understatement. Last season, the defense only accumulated 33 sacks. Add in the fact that Jason Worilds—who led the team with 7.5 sacks in 2014—retired, the defense appears to be in worse shape.

But that isn’t the case given what Kevin Colbert shared with reporters at the NFL owner’s meetings (via Scott Brown of ESPN.com):

His decision to retire really didn’t affect us one way or another, because he really wasn’t in our plans. I am surprised that Jason [retired] at this point, but I respect his wishes to move on with his life. He had a good career with us. He helped us win a lot of games. We wish him nothing but the best.

Given that Worilds was already out of the picture, the Steelers seemed satisfied heading into 2015 draft with Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats, James Harrison and a collection of minor free-agent signings.

They wasted no time running to the podium when Bud Dupree fell to the No. 22 selection. He was one of the most athletically gifted pass-rushers in the draft and a no-brain choice for the Steelers. However, he will need a year or two before he becomes an every-down threat.

Dupree’s overall talent will help the Steelers in the long term, but he will not be the answer in his first year. That, combined with the overall lack of production from this group, makes this a problem spot for the Steelers in 2015.

Current Grade: C+

Final 2014 Grade: B

Already boasting a young, talented group of receivers, the Steelers once against looked to the draft. With their third-round selection, they selected Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates.

Coates joins Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, which should be one of the most exciting wide receiver corps in the league.

Though some may question the Steelers' selection of a wide receiver in the third round, it was a smart selection. Given their willingness to run three- and four-receiver sets, they needed to bolster their depth chart. Rather than go the veteran route as they did last season with Lance Moore, Colbert went for an athletic beast.

At 6’1” and 212 pounds, he will bring a physical presence to Pittsburgh’s offense. Coates is a willing blocker but was drafted due to his big-play ability. With his size and 4.43 speed in the 40-yard dash, he finished his college career with an average of 20.9 yards per reception.

Expect the coaches to slowly integrate Coates into the lineup and play a role similar to what Bryant was in last season. His presence in the lineup—along with another year of experience for Wheaton and Bryant—will only mean good things for an already exciting offense in Pittsburgh.

Current Grade: A-

Final 2014 Grade: D

It may not have been in the first round, but the Steelers finally got their young cornerback—or should we say cornerbacks.

With their second- and fourth-round selections, the Steelers took Senquez Golson and Doran Grant, respectively. Where they lack in size—both under 6’0” tall—they make up for in ball skills, particularly Golson.

These two rookies will help replace Ike Taylor in the lineup as well as compete with Cortez Allen and William Gay for playing time—possibly even for a starting job. Even if neither is a starter, there are more than enough snaps to go around when the team is in its nickel or dime package.

Although both players will have a chance to contribute, Golson is the more intriguing rookie. He had 10 interceptions at Mississippi last year and is looking forward to taking his game to the next level (via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com):

“I don’t work just to prove people wrong. I work for my potential,” Golson said. “I know that I’ve got a lot of room to improve in some areas. I think that is what drives me. Just knowing that I can be better. I’m just going to show everybody that I can play.”

Golson and Grant have a lot to prove. So does Allen. But on paper, the Steelers have a young set of cornerbacks with an intriguing skill set that looks much-improved from last season. However, until they can prove themselves on the field, this unit will be an issue.

Current Grade: C

Final 2014 Grade: C+

Pittsburgh’s backfield was in a world of hurt last season after Le’Veon Bell went down with an injury. The trio of Josh Harris, Ben Tate and Dri Archer were unable to get the job done, so it was essential that Colbert found a veteran backup during the offseason.

Colbert found his man in former Carolina Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams. The nine-year veteran will bring a wealth of experience and production—1,432 carries for 6,846 yards and 46 touchdowns—to Pittsburgh’s backfield.

Williams only played in six games last season, but he rushed for over 4.0 yards per carry in each of his first eight years—including four seasons over 5.0 yards per carry—and is a competent receiver with 178 career receptions.

Even beyond his contributions on the field, Williams will be a terrific leader in the locker room. He said that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team (via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette):

I want to come in and help them be productive on offense. Whether that means me coming off the bench, giving the offensive line water, making sure Ben Roethlisberger’s towel is dry so he can wipe his hands and throw the ball better—whatever it takes for us to win a Super Bowl, I’m willing and able to do it.

Bell may be one of the most important players on the roster, but Williams represents the most significant upgrade that the Steelers made this offseason. He will carry the load while Bell is suspended at the start of the year and can provide valuable carries throughout the year.

Current Grade: A-

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of Sports-Reference.com, all combine results are courtesy of the NFL.com Draft Tracker and roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.  

Follow @ChrisG_BR