Today it’s our seventh installment of ranking the current Steelers 1 through 50. If you want to check out numbers 24 through 20, check it out HERE. Today we give you 19 through 15.
19. Aaron Smith Defensive End
I could see Smith being even higher on the list, but based on the fact he’s been banged up bad the last two years, playing in just 11 games, and three of the last four (he played in 11 games in the 2008 season), he sits just inside the top 20 on the team. When healthy, there’s no denying he’s one of the most underrated players on the team, as in 2009 when playing in all 16 games he 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Problem is, one has to wonder if at age 35 he’s ever going to be able to play a full season without getting banged up again.
18. Ike Taylor Cornerback
The Steelers have already said that bringing back Taylor is their number one goal in free agency. The former 4th round pick of the 2003 draft says he wants to stay with the team that drafted him, but there’s a number of teams (Eagles) that have been reportedly interested in putting a bid in for his services. Taylor last season in 16 games had two picks, and has 11 in his career. In a possible 128 regular season games in his career, he’s played in 125 of them. If the Steelers lose him to another squad, they are going to have to scramble to fill his spot in free agency.
17. Max Starks Offensive Tackle
Starks was another of the walking wounded last season on the O-line, playing in just 7 games. At one point in his Steelers career, he lost his job to Willie Colon, but got his act back together, and on June 23rd, 2009 was signed as the franchise player to a new four-year, $26.3 million contract. The deal included $10 million in guarantees, showing just how highly the team thinks of him. Starks has been solid at left tackle the last three seasons, and should regain the job this year once training camp starts.
16. Daniel Sepulveda Punter
I expect to get some lip for this spot for the punter, but there’s no question when Sepulveda is 100 percent that the special teams is a whole lot better. Remember how bad the team was in that department back in 2008 when Sepulveda got hurt in camp? They overcame it to win the Super Bowl, but you held your breath whenever a Steelers punter had to take the field. In 196 punts in three seasons he’s put up an average of 43.3 yards per punt, including 73 punts inside the 20, and 18 inside the 10. There’s no question – Sepulveda is a weapon on special teams.
15. Ryan Clark Safety
One of the solid veteran leaders of the team, Clark was a steal coming from the Redskins in the 2006 season when the team lost Chris Hope in free agency to the Titans. He’s played in 64 regular season games in 5 seasons, picking off 7 passes, and he made some huge plays this past year in the playoff win over the Ravens, including a pick of Joe Flacco to set up a score in the second half. Clark will be 32 years old in October, but appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank.
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