Although the Steelers have been active in free agency on both sides of the ball, they still have a few noteworthy openings on their roster before the draft. This includes the offensive line, which later this month may see several rookie acquisitions.
It should come as no surprise considering the team’s current alignment along the offensive line that Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports Pittsburgh is interested in picking a center and offensive tackle. The Steelers have frequently been associated with a center being taken in the first two rounds due to the decision to release Mason Cole, which left the team without an experienced option in the middle. The same is true, especially on Day 1, at right tackle.
Regarding the team’s first-round selection (No. 20), a Pittsburgh insider told ESPN’s Matt Miller, “I can’t tell you the player, but I can tell you it’ll be an offensive lineman.” By then, there will be a variety of possibilities among blockers at every position, even though several of the best tackles will probably be selected before the Steelers have a chance to play.
Based on his usage at Duke, Graham Barton, whose value is rising, has versatility in terms of position, although it is anticipated that he would play center in the NFL. Zach Frazier of West Virginia and Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon are two players who might be available to Pittsburgh. At right tackle, Broderick Jones, a 2022 first-round pick, presently holds that position. If a fresh RT prospect is added, the Georgia product might be able to go to his more comfortable position on the blindside.
When the Steelers are scheduled to pick, Miller mentions Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) and Amarius Mims (Georgia) as potential candidates who might still be available. Both players have received recognition for their potential as athletes, but the latter’s restricted playing time in particular may be cause for concern given that was also the case for Jones the previous season. Another concern is Mims’ history of injuries.
Miller continues, “The Steelers are thought of throughout the league as being happy to hold off on selecting a receiver until Day 2.” Beyond the first round, Pittsburgh has established a reputation for locating valuable wide receivers, and sticking with that trajectory might lead to a high-profile addition up front. It will be intriguing to watch if general manager Omar Khan acts on the internal belief that the team’s first acquisition will be an offensive lineman.
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