As we get set to enter the 2020 NFL season, we can’t help but ponder what the Steelers biggest weaknesses might be. On paper, this is one of the best rosters in the entire league. There are however some areas of concern when it comes to this team. Here is a list of the top concerns for the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into a new year:
1. Quarterback:
Basically the entire season is riding on the health of Ben Roehtlisberger. The team stubbornly is sticking with last years cast of characters as his backups. Mason Rudolph did nothing to inspire any confidence that the team will be successful with him under center. Both Devlin Hodges and Paxton Lynch are better served as XFL quarterbacks than NFL ones.
With Roethlisberger, this team has as good a chance as any to win the Super Bowl. Without him, this franchise will once again be struggling to get to .500. The Pittsburgh Steelers are betting it all that their 38 year old quarterback with a surgically repaired elbow can take them to the promise land.
2. Depth at Safety:
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds are the best safety duo the Steelers have had in some time. If there is an injury however, its a whole different story. The team only has a career special teams player in Jordan Dangerfield, and a couple of late round flyers in Marcus Allen and Antoine Brooks to backup the positoin.
As we said in our first roster prediction, look for Kevin Colbert to bring in a veteran to bolster the depth at safety before the pre-season is over. Way too early Steelers 53 man roster prediction
3. Number One Wide Reciever
Wide reciever made our 2019 list of weaknesses as well, and while it has gotten better the position is still a concern. Steelers biggest weaknesses heading into the 2019 season
The worry here is can Ju Ju Smith-Schuster become that number one wide reciever this team needs. With no Antonio Brown to draw all the attention, Smith-Schuster must prove he can do it on his own.
If he can’t, there may be another player who can. Diontae Johnson showed signs in 2019 that he has the potential to be a special reciever. That, despite playing with the most horrendous quarterback play in the entire league last season. He is a player to watch now that Ben Roehtlisberger is back in the fold.
The overall depth is much better than last season at reciever. The additions of Deon Cain and Chase Claypool give this team a much needed injection of speed. All that is lacking is for one of these players to take over the alpha role at this position. Lacking a true number one reciever has to be considered one of the Steelers biggest weaknesses.
4. Nose Tackle
Its Dan McCullers or bust at nose tackle at this point. We are not as concerned as most of Pittsburgh media about this, but it is still a bit of a problem. There is no arguing the drop off from Javon Hargrave to McCullers is a massive one. Maybe the team plans on playing the nose tackle less, or maybe they think much more highly about McCullers than the rest of us.
Another possibility is that they intend on bringing in another player during the course of the off-season. Let’s face it, true nose tackles aren’t exactly in high demand. Kevin Colbert should have no problem obtaining one off the scrap heap if he chooses.
5. Returner
I’m not sure Mike Tomlin has ever had an above average kick returner. It is clear by his actions he does not prioritize the positoin at all. There is some talk that rookie Anthony McFarland can fill this void for the team. At this point, he is the best hope the Steelers have had in years for an decent kick returner. God help us all if Ryan Switzer once again wins the job in 2020.
Punt returner has been almost as bad over the years, if not for a few brilliant seasons by some guy named Antonio Brown. There is some hope that Diontae Johnson could become a premier punt returner. Johnson showed some real promise in his few attempts last season including an 85 yard return. His continued improvement at the positoin could be a huge boost to the special teams unit. https://youtu.be/hlqPlFGK-io