The entire list of the players signed by the Steelers looks like this:
Brian Arnfelt, DE, Northwestern; Alan Baxter, LB, Northern Illinois; Nik Embernate, G, San Diego State; Reggie Dunn, WR, Utah; Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State; Mike Golic Jr, OG, Notre Dame; Cordian Hagans, DE, Louisiana-Lafayette; Chris Hubbard, G, UAB; Omar Hunter, DT, Florida; Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii; Joe Madsen, C, WVU; Curtis McNeal, RB, USC; Ivory Wade, C, Baylor; Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State; J.D Woods, WR, WVU.
My top three focuses on what I feel are depth issue positions. What I'm looking at is positions where the players we have are questionable or the depth there is in question. I ask myself three questions when breaking down these players; Is this player better then who is already here? Can he be better in the next few years then who is here? Will he be safe on our practice squad?
Here is how my top three look:
Number One
Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State
This is a big guy and a player I'm shocked didn't get drafted at some point in time. Farrel has commanding size at 6'6 305lbs. He took over at left tackle after graduation decimated the Lions following the 2011 season. During that 2011 season he also helped Penn State lead the Big Ten with only 14 sacks allowed.
Outlook
With the Steelers not resigning Max Starks that means he will compete for one of most likely four spots. Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert will be starters regardless and Kelvin Beachum has started at right tackle but is considered to be a guard. Prior to the draft the Steelers brought in 6'5 304lb Joe Long, brother of Rams left tackle and former first overall pick Jake Long. With all that being said, I think the stars have aligned for Farrell to make this roster. He is big, strong and very experienced. If he can just show up and be the same type of player he was at Penn State he will make this team.
Number Two
Mike Golic Jr, C/OG, Notre Dame
The Steelers and other sites have listed Golic as an offensive tackle but he is a natural guard and center. As a fifth year Senior on Notre Dame's undefeated team, he started all thirteen games at guard and has played well at center throughout his career. He has good size for a guard at 6'3 300lbs and has shown some great flashes of ability at Notre Dame. He made a name for himself this year with his play but he has had some consistency issues.
Outlook
Ramon Foster and last years first round pick, David DeCastro, will be the starters this season. That means that Golic will be competing with the three other guards on roster and the two other undrafted free agents brought in this weekend. Beachum is a lock for a roster spot and John Malecki has the inside track to the fourth spot. What works well for Golic is his ability to play center as well. Right now the Steelers have only one center on roster, Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey; but don't forget those two undrafted free agents the Steelers brought in to compete. As of right now I think that Golic is better then Cheadle and the other rookies brought in; I think he makes the roster as a backup guard and center.
Number Three
Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State
The Steelers have had a thing for huge lineman this offseason and White fits that bill. The son of Hall of Famer Reggie White, Anthony is a monster at 6'2 320lbs. He took a longer road to Michigan State through JUCO program, Fort Scott, but he started 16 games for the Spartans tallying 65 tackles and one sack.
Outlook
The Steelers defensive line has become rather crowded with pre and post draft signings. Currently there are six defensive lineman on roster, but don't forget the Steelers drafted one and signed four others including White. Right now there are five lineman who most likely will have roster spots (Keisel, Heyward, Hood, Woods and McClendon), this means that White will compete with six players for the final one or two spots. White has the size to get a spot but production and consistency issues I think leave him on the practice squad to start the season but he could have an impact with some seasoning.
Sleeper
Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii
I know its odd to have a long snapper on this list but Ingram is a player to watch. The Steelers are still looking to cut salary and going from a veteran salary to a rookie minimum could save them a lot of money. If you think back to Greg Warren's entry into the NFL, he replaced a talented Mike Schneck so the Steelers could save money in a very similar situation. Warren is a nine year veteran who has fought off every rookie attempt to take his job but Ingram is an experienced and talented snapper. He's played in every game in his college career, 53 total games. If he can show the Steelers there will be no drop off from Greg Warren to himself, they could very well cut the veteran for the youngster.
Stay tuned for more articles as I get back into the full swing of Steelernation greatness.
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