Still Curtain

● By Jeffrey Burton
Given the number of needs the Steelers have coming into the 2022 season the gaps are going to have to be filled by a roughly equal combination of the Draft and free agency. The good news is the Steelers should have a lot more cap space than they’re used to. So, they can address some of the needs with free agency. Two of the biggest problems, the offensive line and run defense are the main needs I decided to ‘tackle’ for this mock draft. (Bad pun) None of the 2021 O-Line starters have staked a claim to their jobs. The number one memory of the Steelers 2021 season is the black and gold O-Line getting knocked into the backfield, play after play. The most glaring weaknesses are at center and left tackle. Yes, I said left tackle. Dan Moore is ridiculously overrated and way below average. He’s even worse than the below-average, Chuks Okorafor. Despite Najee Harris getting over 1000 yards, the Steelers finished 29th in rushing in 2021. The Steelers run defense was even worse, ending dead last in the NFL. This is the Pittsburgh Steelers we’re talking about. This is not acceptable. Injured nose tackle, Tyson Alualu wants to return but he will be 35 when the season starts. The team needs to add a run-stuffing nose tackle and should bring in an influx of talent who excel at run defense.