Bolstering a defense that made improvement as the 2014 season progressed but still had too many shortcomings is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest priority this offseason.
A football analytics website showed how much work may be ahead of the Steelers as they try to build on the AFC North title they won last season.
The Steelers allowed 368 points in 2014 and that number should have been right around 287, according to www.numberfire.com. The website based the lower figure on what a statistically average NFL defense would have surrendered by taking a by number of factors into consideration, including strength of schedule.
The Steelers were plus 81 in net expected points allowed, according to www.numberfire.com, and ranked 25th in the NFL in that category.
Regardless of how much stock one puts in such metrics, the website correctly points out that a suspect secondary and the lack of a consistent pass rush led to the Steelers ranking near the bottom of the league in net expected points allowed.
The Steelers’ defense is already in the midst of change with longtime linebackers coach Keith Butler taking over for Dick LeBeau as the defensive coordinator.
And what would help the Steelers more than getting immediate help from a draft that is expected to focus on defense is young players such as linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier and safety Shamarko Thomas emerging as major contributors in 2015.