Tight end has been a concerning position for the Steelers since the retirement of Heath Miller. The addition of Vance McDonald has given the team a legitimate starter, even with his admitted regression to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com this week.
But that doesn't mean the Steelers should give up on McDonald or make any major investments into the tight end position in this NFL Draft. Here's a breakdown why:
McDonald went from his best statistical year in 2018 with 50 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns to just 38 catches for 273 yards and three touchdowns. McDonald has plenty of skills that make him a good receiving threat and a decent blocker on the edge.
He was good enough to help Mason Rudolph throw two touchdowns in his first regular season appearance. Watch how he breaks open on a post pattern off the line of a run heavy formation. The look fooled the Seahawks to leave McDonald in single coverage and he beat it easily to give Rudolph a good target:
But that Seahawks game was the only big game McDonald had all season. There were elements to his game that could've been better, but the bottom line was the offense was in shambles with Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at the helm.
Here's a perfect example of McDonald being right for Randy Fichtner's scheme, but quarterback play ruining everything. The Steelers use play action to freeze the Bengals' linebackers and open up the middle of the field. McDonald sits wide open after a deep curl pattern, but Hodges gets happy feet and prematurely abandons the pocket:
McDonald does need to sharpen his skills like any other player to be ready for Ben Roethlisberger's return. But that doesn't mean the Steelers should look to replace him in the upcoming season.
Getting rid of McDonald would only open up about $5.6 million in cap space, and it would take more than that to bring in any of the top tight ends in free agency. There will be cheaper free agent targets available, but none of them could be considered reliable starters.
The Steelers also won't get the benefit of a good tight end class in the upcoming NFL Draft. This year's group doesn't feature a single tight end projected by most to be selected in the first round. Among the top prospects there are a few decent receiving threats but none that display a reliable balance as a blocker and receiver that suggest they could start immediately in the NFL.
Take the consensus top tight end, Cole Kmet of Notre Dame. He's a good receiving threat with decent physical traits to challenge passing defenses. But he also lacks any consistent production as a blocker in the run game, which is crucial to any tight end in the Steelers' offense.
Watch how No. 84 gets blown up against Georgia off the left edge, that's Kmet having a one-on-one opportunity and allowing his man to break up the run play immediately:
Other tight end prospects in the top of this year's group project to have similar issues, which is why I don't see the Steelers selecting a tight end in the second round with the 49th overall pick. But if they wait until the later rounds they could get decent value on a tight end that might push Zach Gentry in camp and develop into a reliable backup.
One of the bigger names of this class that won't get drafted early is LSU's Thaddeus Moss, son of NFL Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss. The junior tight end enters the draft after winning a national championship with LSU after playing his first season since 2016.
Moss is a smaller build of tight end at 6-foot-3, 225 lbs. But he also flashes his father's ability to make big receptions and work with his quarterback. Watch this impressive toe-tap against Alabama where he positions himself perfectly on the sideline and gets both feet in bounds to put LSU at the one:
The natural receiving skills are there for a collegiate player with only 17 games and will be 22 years old by the start of mini-camp. The lack of wear and tear is a good thing, but it's also balanced with concern for his lack of experience. Moss still needs work as a blocking tight end.
He's willing to get in position and be physical but lacks good technique. Watch the left edge as he does block his man as No. 81, but you can see his poor hand positioning as both hands go outside the frame of the defender:
Moss is one of a few receiving threat prospects the Steelers could consider in the later rounds at tight ends while focusing on positions that have better players to be selected in the earlier rounds. But no matter what the Steelers do in the draft or free agency, none of their offseason moves should lead to a major shakeup at tight end for 2020.
MORE CLASSROOM
Feb. 26: Hilliard impact on receivers
Feb. 13: Peek at combine’s best backs
Feb. 4: Break more tackles in 2020
Jan. 31: Patience on Edmunds
