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3 Moves The Steelers Should Make Before Training Camp

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With less than three weeks until the Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp, they find themselves in an unfamiliar situation. After the release of All-Pro offensive lineman, David DeCastro, the Steelers have between $13-$15 million dollars in cap space according to Spotrac and Overthecap.com. With multiple holes still on the roster, below are a few moves I think they should make before they start their training camp in 2021.






1. Sign a veteran lineman or two​


Before the signing of five-time Pro Bowl guard, Trai Turner, the Steelers were looking at one of the youngest offensive lines in football. Their offensive line may be young, but they have the chance to be very serviceable. However, veteran presence never hurts a young position group. After losing DeCastro, the Steelers very much need a leader of their offensive line room. Turner may be able to provide that leadership, but the addition of a certified veteran like Russell Okung or Mitchell Schwartz could be just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers.



2. Attempt to bring Steven Nelson back​


The Steelers would have to forfeit a lot of their current cap to make this happen, but it would be worth it. Nelson has played as a top corner in the NFL since he signed with the Steelers in 2019 and the Steelers did not draft a replacement for him in this year’s NFL Draft. Nelson has also been very reliable during his career and is very familiar and fits well in the Steelers defense. This move is unlikely, but it would likely sure up a questionable position for the Steelers in 2021.



3. Add middle linebacker depth​


The Steelers already brought back Vince Williams and re-signed Robert Spillane, but with Devin Bush coming back from a torn ACL in 2020, the Steelers should look to solidify a very important position on their team. A cheap option would be Avery Williamson, who the Steelers acquired halfway through the 2020 season and has familiarity with the team. However, a more expensive and splashier move would to bring in KJ Wright, a long-time linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. Wright would fit well next to Bush and could provide some real stability up the middle for the Steelers.






Obviously all these moves couldn’t be made based on the Steelers cap situation, but each should be seriously considered by General Manager, Kevin Colbert, and Head Coach, Mike Tomlin. Nelson would be my top choice, but his contract demands make the Steelers an unlikely fit. Colbert typically likes to go into the season with at least $5 million in cap space to account for free agent signings in case of injury, so best case scenario, the Steelers could spend $8-$10 million before the start of training camp later this month.



What would your favorite move be for the Steelers? What holes still need to be filled before the season starts? Sound off in the comment section below!

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I would put OLB on the list before ILB. I don't think they are concerned at all at ILB right now. My guess is they won't make a move until well into camp and maybe after a preseason game or two. I think they want to see what they have right now when the guys are in pads.
 
Sign Justin Houston Mitchell Russell okung rich Sherman
 
I don’t think Nelson, Houston or Williamson is gonna command that much $ at this stage of the off season.

They likely wait for cuts though to assess what we have on the roster.
 
No way they get another ILB after investing a 4th round pick in buddy and having Bush and Vince plus Spillane. Meanwhile we are paper thin at OLB and CB, not to mention the OLine situation, so I agree with the first two in the article but not on ILB
 
Litos said:
No way they get another ILB after investing a 4th round pick in buddy and having Bush and Vince plus Spillane. Meanwhile we are paper thin at OLB and CB, not to mention the OLine situation, so I agree with the first two in the article but not on ILB
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plus we have Ulysses Gilbert III, UG3
 
Definitely believe OL and OLB are in the queue. They will do what they do and start out with what they have in camp and see who gets released that would fit the schemes. Thought Schwartz was released because of the severity of his injury/rehab. Houston will have to take a 1-2 year deal at way below he’s expecting.

Secondary could be added, but I’m thinking more Safety than CB….and no, Nelson won’t be back, he burned his bridge. Plenty of players will be available when the cuts starts, but OL and OLB will be the priority.
 
Ike Kelly said:
Definitely believe OL and OLB are in the queue. They will do what they do and start out with what they have in camp and see who gets released that would fit the schemes. Thought Schwartz was released because of the severity of his injury/rehab. Houston will have to take a 1-2 year deal at way below he’s expecting.

Secondary could be added, but I’m thinking more Safety than CB….and no, Nelson won’t be back, he burned his bridge. Plenty of players will be available when the cuts starts, but OL and OLB will be the priority.
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I think they still are a CB, OLBer, and T short.
 
Fiji Mariner said:
I don’t think Nelson, Houston or Williamson is gonna command that much $ at this stage of the off season.

They likely wait for cuts though to assess what we have on the roster.
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From what I understand NELSON's bridge has been overly burnt.


Ike has a good point of waiting to see what we have in camp. This definately the STEELERS way of doing thing.

slash calls for CB is justified and I think they address that. As for T, for some reason I still think MOORE has a shot there. Don't ask me why other than my stubborness and desire for him to succeed against the odds.

TC will answer a whole lot and thus the adjusted moves will be made.




Salute the nation
 
If it's all just business, and the FO doesn't blame bell for his actions. What could nelson have done that would prevent them from keeping him on the team
?
 
Black & Gold Bleeder said:
If it's all just business, and the FO doesn't blame bell for his actions. What could nelson have done that would prevent them from keeping him on the team
?
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He said he was taken hostage or something like that. The poor guy.
 
Adding another OLB should be the top need, mainly because we don't know what we have with Highsmith. While the backups get 10-20 snaps per game, the Steelers have had guys like Ola and Chickillo play the position and be completely invisible, so I'm not expecting anything different with what they have. My bigger concern is if Highsmith needs rotated more because he's still learning, I'd like t see an experienced player be able to step in.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Adding another OLB should be the top need, mainly because we don't know what we have with Highsmith. While the backups get 10-20 snaps per game, the Steelers have had guys like Ola and Chickillo play the position and be completely invisible, so I'm not expecting anything different with what they have. My bigger concern is if Highsmith needs rotated more because he's still learning, I'd like t see an experienced player be able to step in.
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I am more comfy with Highsmith compared to the third corner who will probably get more snaps than a backup OLBer. I do think OLber depth is the highest need after that followed closely by LT.
 
Wait and see who is available at the end of camp if we still need some help. If you have to swap a 6th for a 7th to trade for a guy, do that. Teams are also likely to engage in some heavy subterfuge to get guys onto their practice squad. Make sure we're scouting the fringes well.
 
While LT is a need, unfortunately we will
probably not find anything on the scrap heap better than what we currently have...at least it’s not Jonathon Scott over there.
CB and LB followed by DL/TE all seem like they could be addressed by circling the scrap heap a couple times.
 
At this point it would be wise to wait until after camp to sign anyone. You want to see what you have with the players currently on the roster first, then after camp you can sign players to address any weaknesses.
 
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