The Steelers made a couple of free agent moves later in the process to help solidify their defense and while maybe not completely filling desperate needs at least opening up different possibilities for the draft. ILB Jon Bostic is not a ILB Ryan Shazier replacement in any way shape or form. He is a solid run defender that should help on early downs in the middle of the defense. S Morgan Burnett was a more important and somewhat surprising signing after the release of S Mike Mitchell and S Robert Golden. Neither will be missed on defense, although Golden was a key special teams contributor. OT Ali Villenueva restructured his deal in mid-March to free up cap space before the Bostic and Burnett signings.

QB: There was no talk this off season from QB Ben Roethlisberger about retirement like last off season. He seems poised to play for 3 or 4 more seasons perhaps into his 40s. QB Landry Jones remains the backup. QB Josh Dobbs did not show much in last year's extended preseason opportunity when Jones was out injured. Looking for another quarterback of the future is not out of the question. The front office and coaching staff have shown an interest in QB Mason Rudolph in the pre-draft process.

RB: The biggest issue remains negotiations on a long term deal with RB LeVeon Bell. The sides are currently not meeting and a repeat of last season when Bell held out throughout camp seems inevitable. Bell got off to a slow start last year before rounding into playing form despite staying in shape. After early grumbling Bell has confirmed that if necessary he will play during the regular season on the franchise tag. The MCL injury suffered by RB James Conner makes the likely Bell holdout more problematic. RB Felix Toussaint was resigned as depth.

WR: Rumors of a possible trade of WR Martavis Bryant seem over blown. Bryant is likely to play out his rookie contract in black and gold before moving on as a free agent next off season. Depth could be added even though WR Antonio Brown and developing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster team with Bryant to provide one of the best wide receiver corps in the game.

TE: Possible cap casualty TE Vance McDonald appears set to return. Him, TE Jesse James and TE Xavier Grimble are a solid if unspectacular threesome. Given the top receiver play and value of Bell in the passing game a big play tight end is far from a necessity.

K: Restricted free agent Pro Bowler PK Chris Boswell was tendered at a second round level. Expect him back. Teams do not give up second round picks for kickers no matter how good. The Steelers would likely match an offer anyway.

DEF/ST: Bostic will team with ILB Vince Williams in base packages. His signing does not preclude a coverage inside linebacker being taken on one of the first two days. The versatile Burnett does not appear to be a direct Mitchell replacement so a high pick could still be used on a true free safety. Burnett at strong safety over S Sean Davis in base packages and as a coverage linebacker in certain sub-packages seems like a better use of his talents. Burnett is unlikely to be needed in the slot with CB Mike Hilton having been resigned. A decision on whether to exercise the fifth year option of OLB Bud Dupree has still not been made. Based purely on performance in his first three seasons declining the option seems the more prudent course. The pass rush needs improvement even after the solid debut of last year's first round LB TJ Watt.

End.