Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to improve their team in the coming offseason. The stars on the Steelers are some of the best in the league. Their offense is built around a top 5 quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), running back (Le’Veon Bell) and wide receiver (Antonio Brown). Their offensive line is one of the best in the league as well. On the other side of the ball they are built around Cameron Heyward (defensive end) and linebackers Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons. Their future looks bright, but the roster definitely needs work.

Pittsburgh’s last three first round draft picks have been defensive players. However, the Steelers defense still needs some more young talent especially in the secondary. They were 30th in passing yards allowed. While they spent a second round pick on a cornerback last year (Senquez Golson), three of their top four cornerbacks last year are free agents (William Gay, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin). Ross Cockrell and Golson are next in line to get more snaps if they lose any of their cornerbacks to free agency. Even so, they need more depth in the secondary and should target help in that area in free agency and the draft.

The problem with the free agency route is that Pittsburgh has very little cap space. According to overthecap.com, they will only have $8.4 million in cap space. That may not be enough to re-sign many of their own free agents. Cutting fan favorite James Harrison would bring that number to $9.6 million. They need to use that cap space to re-sign starting offensive lineman, Ramon Foster (left guard) and Kelvin Beachum (left tackle). Their offense can’t afford to lose the left side of their offensive line, so the draft and low money free agent signings are going to be key for them to restock their secondary.

The top of their draft should be secondary and tight end, but towards the end they could use some depth at other positions. Le’Veon Bell is one of the best running backs in the league, when healthy. However, he was suspended two games last year for violating the substance abuse policy and then tore his MCL in week eight. While DeAngelo Williams was really good filling in last year, he will be entering his 11th year. Another running back in the late rounds, or even an undrafted free agent would be helpful to them. More depth on the offensive line would help as well, but that could come at the end again. Each of the last three third rounds have seen the Steelers take a wide receiver, and they don’t need to make it four.

With the recent retirement of Heath Miller, they need a tight end. Former fifth round pick Jesse James and nine year veteran Matt Spaeth are the next in line to play. However, Spaeth and James were not great last year. Tight end will be a need for Pittsburgh for the first time since they drafted Miller in the first round eleven years ago. NFL.com’s mock draft has the Steelers taking a cornerback or tight end. Those are the two biggest needs for Pittsburgh and need to be addressed somehow in the offseason.

The Steelers are one of the favorites to win the AFC next year, and therefore, shouldn’t make too many changes to their current roster construction. However, the secondary and tight end positions need work before the upcoming season. If everything breaks right, we could see the Pittsburgh Steelers name at the top of a lot of people’s power rankings next year, as they chase their seventh Vince Lombardi trophy.