Life after Heath Miller

On Friday, February 19th Steelers Nation received some of the saddest news in recent memory. The 11-year Steeler and fan-favorite tight end, Heath Miller, decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career. While Miller's retirement will undoubtedly leave a hole in many Steelers' fans' hearts it might leave an even bigger hole in the Steelers' roster.

Heath was the ultimate Steeler, a hard working, blue-collared grinder who did his job well and stayed out of the media. He was also perhaps the game's best two-way tight end. In the days of receiver/tight end hybrids like Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates who catch more passes than then they do make blocks, Miller was unique. Heath was just as happy to throw a block to spring a running back as he was to catch a touchdown. He never put up huge offensive number but Heath was a large part of what the Steeler's did on offense. And now the question is how will they replace him.

As I see it there are three different ways to replace a player like Heath Miller; sign someone in free agency, select a player in the draft or use the guys already on the roster. I'm going to explore each of these options and see who the Steelers could bring in to help at tight end.


Free Agency

If there's one thing the Steeler's don't do it's spending a lot of money signing free agents. However in this case the team might be a little more willing to loosen their wallets. In the tight end free agent class there a few guys who I believe could adequately fill the hole left by Miller.

Jared Cook -  Good receiver tagged as an 'under performer.' Expensive at $8 mil, but would add an interesting weapon to an already potent Steelers' offense.

Jermaine Gresham - Good all around 27-year-old TE, still a little pricey at $3 mil.

Andrew Quarless - More receiver than blocker, 27 and about $2 mil.

Dwayne Allen - Best option for the team in my opinion. Good blocker and receiver, young at 25 and cheap at $1.75 mil.

Coby Fleener - Another good, young, cheap TE. Not exactly starting caliber though.

Rhett Ellison - 27, fantastic blocker doesn't do much else.

Clay Harbor - Average two way TE.

Zach Miller - Older at 31, but a good and productive two way player. Would be a good pick-up.

Tony Moeaki - Below average, dirt cheap.

Cook and Allen could probably come in and be the starter from day one. Fleener and Miller most likely would not be able to handle full time starting duties but they would be good complements to the TEs already on the team.


The Draft

The Steelers haven't had to draft a tight end in the early rounds since taking Miller 13th overall in 2005. This year's draft is severely lacking in tight end talent, with only a few players that could make it as future starters.

Hunter Henry (Arkansas) - The best in the class by far. Has good size, soft hands and blocks well. Could contribute from day one.

Austin Hooper (Stanford) - A good player that would have to work on refining a few areas of his game.

Nick Vannett (Ohio State) - Would probably need a year or so to develop before making any major contributions. but hey, the Steelers love taking former Buckeyes.

Henry would be able to compete for the starting job right out of training camp, but the team would most likely have to use their first-round pick in order to select him. Vannett has starting potential but would need time to develop before being a complete TE.


Already on the roster

Matt Spaeth - Maybe the best blocking TE in the game, not much for running routes and catching passes though.

Jesse James - Showed good flashes in his rookie year. Needs to continue to improve his blocking before he could be considered a starting caliber player.

Xavier Grimble - was unable to crack the roster after signing as an undrafted free agent last year.

Rob Blanchflower - An unimpressive former seventh round pick. Probably won't even make the team out of training camp.

James and Spaeth could probably combine to split tight end duties next season but that would leave the team very thin at that position. James might develop into a starter, but most likely won't be at that point by next season.


Conclusion

I don't think the Steelers will be able to replace Heath Miller by bringing in any one player. While Jared Cook could make a real impact on offense I think he is way out of the team's price range. In the end my favorite move would be signing the young Dwayne Allen to a long term deal. If not that than signing either Coby Fleener or Zach Miller to compliment the players already on the roster could also be a good option. I also like drafting either Hunter Henry in the first round or Nick Vannett in the third round. In any case I fully expect the Steelers to make a move to improve the position.

Heath Miller will leave a lasting legacy in Pittsburgh and it will be difficult to replace what he did for the Steelers, but eventually the team will find a solution. But for now, enjoy your retirement HEEEEEEEEATH.