The Steelers' tight end group had plenty of questions coming into 2017 about both its starter in Jesse James and the lack of depth behind him. Between James and Xavier Grimble, the Steelers hoped that one of their young options at the position would make a leap during the offseason to establish a role as a consistently reliable tight end, but that didn't happen.
Instead the team went and got Vance McDonald in a trade from the 49ers in order to bolster the group and changed the dynamics moving forward.
We take a look at our last group for final grades:
Xavier Grimble
The 2017 offseason was the best chance Grimble had to make his mark on the Steelers and show that he could improve from being a backup tight end to a dependable starting threat for the offense. The Steelers still needed a tight end who could be a consistently solid run blocker, the void left by Heath Miller's retirement, and also be a legitimate receiving threat.
Grimble flashed moments of the potential for the latter in 2016. He made 11 catches on 21 targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were plays in which he accelerated down the field and got past the safeties and linebackers guarding him.
But his problems of inconsistent play and missed routine assignments carried over from 2016 into 2017 and ultimately forced the Steelers to bring in McDonald to bolster the offense's weakest group. He only played 169 offensive snaps on the season, just 15.28% of the total offensive plays.
Jesse James
James faced adversity throughout the season as he was in the spotlight from before the season even started. Mike Tomlin addressed his level of play as being "junior varsity" and James saw McDonald added as a potential threat to take his spot.
James would respond with two touchdown receptions in the Steelers' opener against the Browns, and ended up being the Steelers' most used tight end as he saw 906 plays (81.92%) during the season. James continued to show that he is an adequate player, but not necessarily a very good one. He can get the job done and take what is there, but more often than not he isn't the player who creates opportunities.
Despite that, James did step up several times in 2017 in key moments for the Steelers. His 372 receiving yards don't shine out, but he showed that he can get open and catch the ball in space.
Watch how he makes a solid play against rookie first round pick, Jarrad Davis, of the Lions and turns a short completion into a long gain. James doesn't run a complicated route, but he sits just long enough and bursts over the middle of the field to beat Davis just enough for Ben Roethlisberger to fit the ball:
Now there's certainly a question as to whether Roethlisberger meant to target James or Antonio Brown, but the result of the play can't be denied as James made a catch despite very good coverage.
Of course, the play everyone will remember James for in 2017 is the late play against the Patriots on which he was originally ruled as scoring a touchdown but ended up being overturned to be called an incomplete pass. James could have done more to secure the ball and protect it from the ground, but judging James from a perspective of realistic expectations reminds us that he's exactly as advertised.
James was a fifth-round pick and a taller target for Roethlisberger who is better used as a second tight end option instead of a regular starter who's expected to be a playmaker.
Vance McDonald
McDonald was brought to the Steelers to give Roethlisberger that real receiving threat at tight end who could stretch the field and regularly beat linebackers in coverage. Though injuries held him back most of the season, McDonald did show that he had the potential Kevin Colbert saw from his limited time with the 49ers.
The Steelers thought they had that guy in LaDarius Green before he retired due to his rough string of injuries, and McDonald looks like he's the immediate replacement. McDonald always showed speed in his routes and abilities to stretch the field, so when he was on the field it added an extra layer of danger that defenses had to consider.
Watch how he runs this deep post route to split a Cover 2 defense perfectly against the Bengals. The Steelers have receivers who force defenses to honor the chance they can get deep on either side of the field, so when an opponent runs a Cover 2 zone defense, the deep safeties have to prioritize covering the deep halves.
But that puts a major strain on the linebackers playing in underneath coverage to be able to both take away underneath routes and deeper routes that work through the middle of the defense. McDonald runs his post and easily finds that soft spot for Roethlisberger to target for a huge gain:
McDonald's biggest knock coming into the year was his lack of consistent run blocking, but he ultimately proved to not be a liability on that front. While he won't ever be what Miller was to the offense, he does fill the immediate need of a tight end who can compete at the point of attack both in the passing game and in run blocking.
We revisit a run we showed earlier when we highlighted Roosevelt Nix in order to show where McDonald's blocking is at its best. McDonald isn't going to be a bruiser, but he will use his athleticism to get up the field and win blocks in space.
Watch how he helps James seal the right edge and then completely locks out the Bengals' backside linebacker from ever getting to Le'Veon Bell:
McDonald showed a solid use of hands and a good drive with his feet when he was able to get on equal footing with opponents to set up the run. If anything, he showed that, when healthy, he's a useful tool.
STATE OF THE UNIT
Thanks to McDonald, the Steelers don't have an immediate need to draft high at tight end. They may want to consider another depth player at the position who can compete against Grimble. But between James and McDonald, the Steelers should feel comfortable with the unit at this point.
Considering how much money the Steelers currently invest in Bell, Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, not to mention the offensive line, it makes sense that the Steelers don't invest too much into the tight end position. But for what they have, it might be the right mix for the weapons already on this offense.
FINAL GRADE: C+
Dale's Stock: James is what he is at this point, a No. 2 tight end. McDonald has moved past him in the team's eyes but needs to stay healthy. The Steelers love his athleticism at the position. Grimble is a JAG (Just a Guy) at this point. He has talent, but don't be surprised if he's pushed hard by Jake McGee in 2018. McGee wowed his teammates week in and week out on the practice squad this season.