Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Final 32-team breakdown ahead of the 2018 draft

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

55. . . Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 6. team

While not as well-documented as the way the Redskins handled Kirk Cousins and the franchise tag, it’s still weird to see the Pittsburgh Steelers manage a similar situation with running back Le’Veon Bell.

On one hand, it makes sense. Bell has a lot of mileage on his 26-year-old body. But he’s also a game changer, one of many in a Steelers uniform.

The Steelers will continue to be in the Super Bowl discussion as long as Bell, wide receiver Antonio Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are in the picture. Right now, Pittsburgh’s offense remains as potent as any in the league.

There are questions, defensively, though.

Chief among these was the unfortunate loss of linebacker Ryan Shazier to a back injury last season. He’ll miss all of 2018, and his absence was notably felt by the Steelers defense down the stretch in 2017.

Perhaps a coming-out party from EDGE T.J. Watt changes things, but one would expect head coach Mike Tomlin and Co. to focus heavily on their defensive needs during the draft.