2012 NFL Offseason: Pittsburgh Steelers

Draft Grades, Season Previews, Offseason Needs, Free Agents

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Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Year: 12-4)

2012 NFL Draft Grade: A+

Goals Entering the 2012 NFL Draft: The Steelers don't have many needs, so they can afford to take the best player available - something that they usually do anyway.

2012 NFL Draft Accomplishments: And so they did. It's unbelievable that Pittsburgh was able to walk away with David DeCastro without trading up from the No. 24 pick. The Steelers will probably have the best guard in the NFL over the next decade. It's amazing how the rich always get richer in the NFL.

Mike Adams and Alameda Ta'amu were also steals who filled needs. All of Pittsburgh's late-round selections were decent, especially Chris Rainey, who will offer the type of game-breaking ability out of the backfield that the Steelers haven't had since Willie Parker. The only pick I'd question is Sean Spence because I don't know how he'll fit into the 3-4. Kevin Colbert is one of the top general managers in the NFL though, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Pittsburgh had the best draft class this April. The team addressed multiple holes with the best players available. A+.





2012 NFL Draft Individual Grades:

24. David DeCastro, G, Stanford: A+ Grade
Unbelievable. The Steelers somehow land a guy who could be the top guard in the NFL over the next decade. David DeCastro could have gone as high as No. 11. It's really amazing how smart organizations like Pittsburgh can take advantage of dumb teams making stupid decisions year after year. This is the best pick of the 2012 NFL Draft thus far.

56. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State: A Grade
Mike Adams wouldn't be good on most teams. He has work ethic issues and has had some problems off the field. However, going to a strong locker room like Pittsburgh's is the best thing that could have happened to him. He's talented - he would have been taken in the first round if he were clean - and the Steelers will get the most out of him. He fills a big need at tackle. Ben Roethlisberger has to be thrilled right now.

86. Sean Spence, OLB, Miami: C Grade
I loved Pittsburgh's first two picks, but I don't quite understand this one. Sean Spence is talented and should have been picked a bit earlier than this, but I don't get how he fits into the Steelers' 3-4 defense. He's more of a Cover-2 outside linebacker. I trust the Steelers though, so it would't surprise me if this pick panned out.

109. Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington: A+ Grade
Fantastic pick. Alameda Ta'amu was once considered a first-round prospect, but his true value was in Round 2-3. Getting him here in Round 4 is a steal, and the Steelers are filling a huge need in the process. They had to find a nose tackle to eventually take over for Casey Hampton.

159. Chris Rainey, RB/KR, Florida: B+ Grade
Chris Rainey can go the distance on any play. The Steelers haven't had someone like that in their backfield since Willie Parker. They still need to obtain another running back because of Rashard Mendenhall's injury.

231. Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado: B- Grade
Toney Clemons was going to be a priority UDFA, but the Steelers could have made a better selection. It's Round 7 though, so it's not a big deal.

240. David Paulson, TE, Oregon: B- Grade
The Steelers signed Leonard Pope, but they apparently aren't done with their tight ends. This doesn't fill a need, but it's the right range for David Paulson.

246. Terrence Frederick, DT, Texas A&M: B Grade
The Steelers haven't addressed defensive line depth yet. Terrence Frederick was a borderline draftable prospect, so this is pick makes sense.

248. Kelvin Beachum, G, SMU: B Grade
More offensive line depth, which is something the Steelers needed. Kelvin Beachum would have been a priority UDFA, so Pittsburgh is making sure it landed him before anyone else did.

*** 2012 NFL OFFSEASON NEEDS BELOW COMMENT BOARD ***

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Greek G 05-16-2012 03:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx24.2 (total posts: 3) 4     3 2nd post - Agree with the overall grade. As a team the Steelers didn't have very many needs and they really helped themselves in those few areas. The only place that they might have improved was by adding another defensive lineman. Their last selection is a curious one. The scouting on Kelvin Beachum is that he is undersized to play on a Man-Power offensive line -- is better suited to a Zone-Blocking scheme. Of course its always possible the Steelers see something the other scouts missed. Greek G 05-16-2012 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx24.2 (total posts: 3) 3     3 Picky but Terrence Frederick is defensive back depth (he played CB in college) not defensive line depth. Nearing the end of a long day, eh? The real point is that having no major need unaddressed the Steelers can go for productive reserves at a high value position like cornerback. Greek G 05-16-2012 02:36 pm xxx.xxx.xxx24.2 (total posts: 3) 3     3 Beg to differ about the pick of RB Chris Raney. He is dynamic - agreed. But I see him more as a super-quick scatback ala Darren Sproles, Jamaal Charles and Jahvid Best than featured back such as Willie Parker, Michael Turner or Steven Jackson. Also he is a two-down back, because he is so slight he gets knocked around trying to block in blitz pickup. This is a shame since he is a good receiver out of the backfield. Also, he carries durability concerns (see Jahvid Best and Jamaal Charles above). Still, if used appropriately, he could be a great addition to the offense. Pjeezy-Steelers 05-07-2012 03:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx.187 (total posts: 1) 3     3 David DeCastro has the second highest rookie overall in madden at a 84. That was the best pick in the draft and it earned us the best class this year. desperate haters 05-07-2012 02:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.172 (total posts: 1) 5     3 Wow, the desperation is hilarious. Maybe they are just good at drafting? Look at the last three years alone to see all the starters or contributers theyve drafted. As for grades, well they got a possible top ten pick at 23, a possible 1st at the end of the second, and a possible early second in the 4th. All As and the rest later on all have a shot at making the team. Not that hard, and i guess other places giving them As are biased as well. And who wants to bet the bengals are saying that as pr? Of course they won't say they passed up on DeCastro just to see their rivals get him. That is horrible for image. Bob T. 05-06-2012 09:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.229 (total posts: 3) 3     2 According to reports, the Bengals had a higher grade on Zeitler than DeCastro. I liked Zeitler, but DeCastro was my 4th rated player in the draft, regardless of position. Great pick for the Steelers and excellent draft. Bob T. 05-06-2012 09:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.229 (total posts: 3) 2     2 According to reports, the Bengals had a higher grade on Zeitler than DeCastro. I liked Zeitler, but DeCastro was my 4th rated player in the draft, regardless of position. Great pick for the Steelers and excellent draft. Bob T. 05-06-2012 09:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.229 (total posts: 3) 2     2 According to reports, the Bengals had a higher grade on Zeitler than DeCastro. I liked Zeitler, but DeCastro was my 4th rated player in the draft, regardless of position. Great pick for the Steelers and excellent draft. barnaby 05-03-2012 10:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.240 (total posts: 1) 118     2 Hey @confused? come wrap those lips around some Steeler man pipe...y'know you want to Andrew 05-03-2012 01:37 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.202 (total posts: 1) 3     2 Butthurt Steelers haters are hilarious. confused no more. 05-03-2012 12:56 am xxx.xxx.xxx.226 (total posts: 2) 3     7 no, you definitely love steeler c**k. confused? 05-03-2012 12:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx.226 (total posts: 2) 3     9 are you actually taking the average of the grades throughout the draft to come up with each teams overall? Or do you just love sucking steeler c**k? Frank "Grimey" Grimes 05-02-2012 01:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx59.5 (total posts: 3) 108     2 scoreboards are biased against the browns Pat 05-01-2012 11:57 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.11 (total posts: 1) 3     5 I knew you were going to give the Steelers an A+ after reading what you said about the Browns. "Sports writers" -or whatever you call yourself- aren't supposed to be biased. steelrain43 05-01-2012 08:28 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.209 (total posts: 1) 4     3 kokimo--it does, when from a get better approach philoshopy look at how a team drafted--maybe no rg3 there, but when you are 12 win team--draft to get better--that's why the grades are what they are...steelers are not gonna find blackmon there man..cmon..a draft is supposed to amke a team better..and when a team that won 12 games gets a top notch prospect at a place of real need--then that is golden, especially without 2 first round picks like pats and bengals, and without trading up and back into a round...steelers just flat out got exactly what they needed, and got excellent value with each pick...what more can ANY team do?..did you see the guard play for steelers last few years???..awful..now, a pulling guard like faneca is back--and 2 first round guys play on that line, pouncey and decastro...2 second round high graded picks also-mike adams, and last years RT...colon will play the other guard position...or perhaps a mixup positionwise?..either way--this will be the best oline pit has had since hartings/faneca/smith, when the steleers could run on ANYONE...steelers haven't been able to run last few years,play action suffers for it as well...this, helps everything, since everything is all interrelated anyway...don't hate, cause a good team just got everything they really needed..and somebody is smart enough to see it and grade it. 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Season Summary:
Just too many injuries. Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Max Starks, Maurkice Pouncey, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel and Ryan Clark were all players who either were hobbled or out of the lineup against the Broncos in their first-round playoff loss. Will the Steelers bounce back? Well, they're $23 million over the salary cap, so a number of key players may not be back next year.




Offseason Moves:

Steelers re-sign QB Byron Leftwich

Steelers re-sign S Ryan Mundy

Steelers re-sign CB Keenan Lewis

Steelers re-sign QB Charlie Batch

Steelers re-sign G Doug Legursky

Steelers re-sign OT Trai Essex

Steelers re-sign WR Jerricho Cotchery

Steelers re-sign FB David Johnson

Steelers sign TE Leonard Pope

Steelers re-sign G Ramon Foster

Cardinals sign CB William Gay

Steelers announce retirement of WR Hines Ward

Steelers tender FB David Johnson

Steelers tender WR Mike Wallace

Steelers cut ILB James Farrior

Steelers cut G Chris Kemoeatu

Steelers cut DE/DT Aaron Smith

Steelers cut WR Hines Ward

Steelers cut WR Arnaz Battle

Steelers cut CB Bryant McFadden

Steelers announce retirement of NT Chris Hoke


Offseason Needs:

1. Left Tackle: Max Starks tore his ACL in the playoff loss at Denver. He most likely won't be ready for the start of the season, and considering his weight issues, he may never be an effective left tackle ever again.
   
   
2. Left Guard: Chris Kemoeatu was benched twice this past season. Due $3.5 million in 2012, he'll probably be a cap casualty.
   
   
3. Nose Tackle: Casey Hampton is a 35-year-old attempting to recover from a torn ACL. He also has an $8.1 million cap figure in 2012. Dontari Poe will be in play for Pittsburgh at No. 24 in the 2012 NFL Draft if the front office has him high on its big board.
   
   
4. Two Cornerbacks: Ike Taylor was humiliated at Denver. He'll be 32 in May, so his best days are definitely behind him. Meanwhile, William Gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) is a free agent.
   
   
5. Inside Linebacker Depth: The Steelers have a number of aging inside linebackers, some of whom might be cut. Youth should be acquired.
   
   
6. Running Back: Rashard Mendenhall, entering his contract year, tore his ACL in Week 17. He may not be ready for the start of the season. A mid-round pick could be used on insurance.
   
   
7. Kicker: Shaun Suisham hit just 23-of-31 attempts in 2011, going just 6-of-11 from 40-49.
   
   

2012 NFL Free Agent Signings:

1. Leonard Pope, TE, Chiefs. Age: 28. -- Signed with Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agents:

Salary Cap: $23 million OVER.

1. Mike Wallace (RFA), WR, Steelers. Age: 26.
   Tendered by Steelers (1st)
   
   Mike Wallace is one of the top deep threats in football. The Steelers won't let him get away.
   
   
2. Ramon Foster (RFA), G, Steelers. Age: 26.
   Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
   
   Ramon Foster is a solid, but unspectacular guard who surrendered just three sacks this past season.
   
   
3. David Johnson (RFA), FB, Steelers. Age: 25.
   Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
   
   David Johnson is a quality run-blocker who can catch the occasional pass (12 receptions in 2011).
   
   
4. William Gay, CB, Steelers. Age: 27.
   Signed with Cardinals
   
   William Gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) was inserting (or inserted) into the starting lineup in late September and did a decent job. He has really struggled in the past, however, and the 30-yard touchdown he surrendered to Eddie Royal in the playoff loss was not a good sign.
   
   
5. Dennis Dixon, QB, Steelers. Age: 27.
   Dennis Dixon has some upside as a potential starter. He's a good backup, at the very least.
   
   
6. Max Starks, OT, Steelers. Age: 30.
   Max Starks did a solid job protecting Ben Roethlisberger's blind side in 2011, but suffered a torn ACL against the Broncos. Recovering from that at his age and weight (340 pounds) will be quite a challenge.
   
   
7. Casey Hampton, NT, Steelers. Age: 34.
   I'm listing Casey Hampton as a free agent because he will be a cap casualty. He has a tough task ahead of him as a 35-year-old (on Sept. 3) coming off a torn ACL in early January.
   
   
8. James Farrior, ILB, Steelers. Age: 37.
   James Farrior is a major liability in coverage, but he can still play the run pretty well as a two-down linebacker.
   
   
9. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Steelers. Age: 30. -- Re-signed with Steelers (2 years)
10. Charlie Batch, QB, Steelers. Age: 37. -- Re-signed with Steelers (1 year)
11. Keenan Lewis (RFA), CB, Steelers. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
12. Doug Legursky (RFA), G/C, Steelers. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
13. Mewelde Moore, RB, Steelers. Age: 30.
14. Byron Leftwich, QB, Steelers. Age: 32. -- Re-signed with Steelers
15. Aaron Smith, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 36.
16. Ryan Mundy (RFA), S, Steelers. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
17. Bryant McFadden, CB, Steelers. Age: 30.
18. Chris Kemoeatu, G, Steelers. Age: 29.
19. Aaron Smith, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 36.
20. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers. Age: 36. -- Announced retirement
21. Chris Hoke, NT, Steelers. Age: 36. -- Announced retirement
22. Daniel Sepulveda, P, Steelers. Age: 28.
23. Trai Essex, OT, Steelers. Age: 29. -- Re-signed with Steelers
24. Arnaz Battle, WR, Steelers. Age: 32.

2012 NFL Free Agent Rankings Coming Soon



Divisional Rival History:
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco was 0-6 against Ben Roethlisberger prior to 2011. So much for that.
Cincinnati Bengals: The road team has inexplicably claimed nine of the past 13 meetings. Go figure.
Cleveland Browns: Pittsburgh has won 22 of 23 against Cleveland.



Features to be Posted This Offseason:

1. 2012 NFL Draft Grades (Pick-by-Pick NFL Draft Grades as well - Live on Draft Day!)
2. Detailed season preview
3. Fantasy football projections
4. Positional rankings
5. Daily updates on free-agent signings

2012 NFL Offseason Pages


2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 25


2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22


Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7