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Throughout the first couple weeks of the 2022 off-season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I will be going through each position group to determine where that group was at in 2021, and where they currently sit going into 2022.
As it stands today, the Steelers are expected to have ~$42.7 million in cap space based on a projected $208.2 million 2022 NFL salary cap figure. That leaves them with the most cap room heading into an off-season in over a decade, and is the 9th most in the NFL.
First up, we start taking a look at likely the most criticized group for the 2021 Steelers with the offensive line.
Starters: LT Dan Moore Jr., LG Kevin Dotson, C Kendrick Green, RG Trai Turner, RT Chukwuma Okorafor
Key Reserves: OL Joe Haeg, G/C J.C. Hassenauer, G John Leglue
Depth: OT Zach Banner, OT Chaz Green, G/C B.J. Finney
The Steelers offensive line that was used in 2021 was not one many people in Steeler Nation expected to see. The late release of David DeCastro, the extended recovery time and lack of playing time for Banner, as well as starting two rookies all contributed to that. Overall the offensive line was not good for the majority of the season. The group ranked in the bottom of the league in terms of run blocking efficiency failing to give rookie RB Najee Harris many running lanes to work with. Also, while they were in the middle of the pack in terms of number of sacks allowed, that number is likely sweetened a bit due to the Steelers owning the fast snap-to-pass time in the league.
Even though they struggled throughout most of the season, this group has shown many positives throughout the season and continued to grow as a group as the year went on. Starting two rookies and two new starts is rarely a recipe for success, but the results later in the season definitely appeared to be improved than the results early on.
Under Contract: Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, Zach Banner, Joe Haeg, John Leglue
Futures Contracts: G Nathan Gilliam, G Malcolm Pridgeon
Free Agents: Chukwuma Okorafor, Trai Turner, B.J. Finney, J.C. Hassenauer (ERFA)
Just in terms of who will be on the team next season, the team isn’t in terrible shape. Three of the five primary starters from 2021 are under contract, as well as Banner who was expected to be a starter heading into the season. But, the offensive line isn’t in as good of a position as it appears on paper.
Yes it looks like they have their starting LT, LG, and C under contract, but there is a good chance Green is moved over to play guard due to his (understandable) struggles at center in his first full season there. Banner and the Steelers may be in for a split as there is potentially some frustrations there with him seeing little to no playing time this year after being the expected starting RT the majority of the off-season. Frustrations being on his side that is, as well as some disappointment from the team potentially. This most likely leaves big holes at at least two positions (C and RT), as well as uncertainty at RG even if Green is slid over from center.
There is a chance that Okorafor is re-signed, but my guess is he is allowed to test free agency and gets a pretty solid payday from another team. Hassenauer is almost certainly back next season as an exclusive rights free agent, and he honestly could be given a shot to win the starting center job in 2022. He performed well enough down the stretch while filling in for an injured Green the last few weeks that the team could feel comfortable giving him that opportunity.
The Steelers no doubt need to add some bodies to fill out this group, but definitely need to add some high-quality talent as opposed to adding just some depth. They have some young pieces to work with, but can not go into 2022 without adding one or two high-quality additions. If I were the Steelers, I would look to do a lot of the additions to this line in free agency since they have two or three young guys in this group under contract for multiple years at a reduced cost. However, I would still not hesitate to pull the trigger on any offensive lineman they have as the best player available through the draft as well when they are on the clock.
High Dollar: C Ryan Jensen, RT Trenton Brown, G Laken Tomlinson
Non-High Dollar: G/C Billy Price, C Brian Allen, OT Cameron Fleming
Early Picks: C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), OT Rasheed Walker (Penn State), G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
Late Picks: G/C Cade Mays (Tennessee), C James Empey (BYU), OT Cordell Volson (North Dakota State)
I really do like some of the talent the Steelers have on their roster in terms of offensive linemen. They have 2-3 young pieces that I feel could be with the team for a long time and make a large impact, similarly to how the offensive line was a true force for the Steelers teams of the 2010s. However, they need to add some talent to this group so they continue to improve, as well as to make it easier for whoever is taking snaps under center in 2022 and beyond.
Let us know below what you think of the Steelers offensive line situation as we head into the 2022 offseason!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
As it stands today, the Steelers are expected to have ~$42.7 million in cap space based on a projected $208.2 million 2022 NFL salary cap figure. That leaves them with the most cap room heading into an off-season in over a decade, and is the 9th most in the NFL.
First up, we start taking a look at likely the most criticized group for the 2021 Steelers with the offensive line.
Steelers 2021 Offensive Line
Starters: LT Dan Moore Jr., LG Kevin Dotson, C Kendrick Green, RG Trai Turner, RT Chukwuma Okorafor
Key Reserves: OL Joe Haeg, G/C J.C. Hassenauer, G John Leglue
Depth: OT Zach Banner, OT Chaz Green, G/C B.J. Finney
2021 Review
The Steelers offensive line that was used in 2021 was not one many people in Steeler Nation expected to see. The late release of David DeCastro, the extended recovery time and lack of playing time for Banner, as well as starting two rookies all contributed to that. Overall the offensive line was not good for the majority of the season. The group ranked in the bottom of the league in terms of run blocking efficiency failing to give rookie RB Najee Harris many running lanes to work with. Also, while they were in the middle of the pack in terms of number of sacks allowed, that number is likely sweetened a bit due to the Steelers owning the fast snap-to-pass time in the league.
Even though they struggled throughout most of the season, this group has shown many positives throughout the season and continued to grow as a group as the year went on. Starting two rookies and two new starts is rarely a recipe for success, but the results later in the season definitely appeared to be improved than the results early on.
2022 Outlook
Under Contract: Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, Zach Banner, Joe Haeg, John Leglue
Futures Contracts: G Nathan Gilliam, G Malcolm Pridgeon
Free Agents: Chukwuma Okorafor, Trai Turner, B.J. Finney, J.C. Hassenauer (ERFA)
Just in terms of who will be on the team next season, the team isn’t in terrible shape. Three of the five primary starters from 2021 are under contract, as well as Banner who was expected to be a starter heading into the season. But, the offensive line isn’t in as good of a position as it appears on paper.
Yes it looks like they have their starting LT, LG, and C under contract, but there is a good chance Green is moved over to play guard due to his (understandable) struggles at center in his first full season there. Banner and the Steelers may be in for a split as there is potentially some frustrations there with him seeing little to no playing time this year after being the expected starting RT the majority of the off-season. Frustrations being on his side that is, as well as some disappointment from the team potentially. This most likely leaves big holes at at least two positions (C and RT), as well as uncertainty at RG even if Green is slid over from center.
There is a chance that Okorafor is re-signed, but my guess is he is allowed to test free agency and gets a pretty solid payday from another team. Hassenauer is almost certainly back next season as an exclusive rights free agent, and he honestly could be given a shot to win the starting center job in 2022. He performed well enough down the stretch while filling in for an injured Green the last few weeks that the team could feel comfortable giving him that opportunity.
NFL Draft and Free Agency
The Steelers no doubt need to add some bodies to fill out this group, but definitely need to add some high-quality talent as opposed to adding just some depth. They have some young pieces to work with, but can not go into 2022 without adding one or two high-quality additions. If I were the Steelers, I would look to do a lot of the additions to this line in free agency since they have two or three young guys in this group under contract for multiple years at a reduced cost. However, I would still not hesitate to pull the trigger on any offensive lineman they have as the best player available through the draft as well when they are on the clock.
Potential Free Agent Targets
High Dollar: C Ryan Jensen, RT Trenton Brown, G Laken Tomlinson
Non-High Dollar: G/C Billy Price, C Brian Allen, OT Cameron Fleming
Potential Draft Targets
Early Picks: C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), OT Rasheed Walker (Penn State), G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
Late Picks: G/C Cade Mays (Tennessee), C James Empey (BYU), OT Cordell Volson (North Dakota State)
Final Thoughts
I really do like some of the talent the Steelers have on their roster in terms of offensive linemen. They have 2-3 young pieces that I feel could be with the team for a long time and make a large impact, similarly to how the offensive line was a true force for the Steelers teams of the 2010s. However, they need to add some talent to this group so they continue to improve, as well as to make it easier for whoever is taking snaps under center in 2022 and beyond.
Let us know below what you think of the Steelers offensive line situation as we head into the 2022 offseason!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
