It is time for the next generation of the O-line
The Steelers built one of the best offensive lines in the NFL in the early part of past decade by allocating precious draft resources to the position. In a three-year span, the Steelers used two firstround picks and a secondround pick to rebuild their line.
Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert and David DeCastro would blossom together and pave the way for a well-balanced offense that was perennially among the league’s leaders in points and yards.
Those players have been cycling out in recent years, and the only one left is DeCastro, who is entering the final year of his contract. Pouncey retired after last season ended, and Gilbert left after the 2018 season.
This is clearly a group that is in transition, and after years of spending minimal draft picks on the position, it’s time to restock the cupboard.
The Steelers haven’t selected an offensive lineman in the first or second round of the draft since 2012, the year DeCastro arrived with the No. 24 overall pick and tackle Mike Adams was taken with the No. 56 pick.
Expect that to change in a couple of weeks. The NFL draft will take place at the end of the month, and the Steelers are actively scouting centers and tackles.
In addition to their high draft picks leaving, other veterans have grown old, too. Longtime left guard Ramon Foster retired after the 2019 season, and 32-year-old left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, the protector of Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side the past five seasons, remains a free agent and is not expected to re-sign.
So who will be lining up with the starters in the fall?
The only thing that seems certain is DeCastro will be the right guard for a 10th consecutive season and Kevin Dotson, who started four games as a rookie last season, should start at left guard. After that, there is a whole lot of uncertainty.
The Steelers signed center/guard B.J. Finney to a one-year contract last month. He played for the Steelers from 2015-19 and will compete to be the starting center, but expect general manager Kevin Colbert to add a center in the draft, too.
The left and right tackle positions appear to be the most fluid spots on the line. Zach Banner was re-signed last month. He won the starting right tackle job last year but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener against the Giants. Chuks Okorafor stepped in for Banner and started the final 15 games and should be in the mix for a starting job as well this summer.
The Steelers also signed tackle Joe Haeg, who spent the past five seasons with the Colts and Buccaneers. Haeg can play guard and tackle and likely slots in as a backup.
The wild card is a rookie coming in the first two rounds and pushing one of them for a starting job. This group of tackles in the draft is deep, and the Steelers are hoping to find a long-term starter with one of their first two picks.
Over the years, the Steelers have traditionally built their offensive line from the inside out. They’ve viewed the center position as the lynchpin to the line and have not invested as many high draft picks or free agent dollars in tackles.
If the Steelers go that route again, they could target a few players in the second round of the draft. Landon Dickerson of Alabama and Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma are considered the top two center prospects in the draft and both could be available when the Steelers select at No. 55. There are some other center prospects that could go in the second or third round, but it’s not considered a deep draft for interior offensive linemen.
The Steelers will have options at tackle in almost every round. A couple of possibilities in the first round include Christian Darrisaw of Virginia Tech, Teven Jenkins of Oklahoma State and Jalen Mayfield of Michigan.
But keep in mind, the Steelers have not taken a tackle in the first round since 1996, when Jamain Stephens was their No. 1 pick. In that same time span, they have taken three guards and a center in the first round.
The Steelers traditionally have selected tackles in the second round and after. Some possibilities in the second round this year include Liam Eichenberg of Notre Dame, Alex Leatherwood of Alabama, Samuel Cosmi of Texas, Dillon Radunz of North Dakota State and Spencer Brown of Northern Iowa.