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With the 2022 NFL Draft concluding without the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting an offensive lineman, it could mean they’re going to dip back into free agency for some depth. The Steelers already ran to sign safety Damontae Kazee without hours of the draft ending, and it’s likely they will add some more pieces to the puzzle between now and training camp.
The Steelers signed guard/center Mason Cole, guard James Daniels, and re-signed veteran tackle Chuks Okorafor at the very beginning of free agency. Daniels will take over the right guard spot beside Okorafor. Cole will battle it out with Kendrick Green, and J.C Hassenauer for the starting center position. That leaves left tackle Dan Moore Jr with very little competition.
Let’s take a look at all of the offensive lineman on the roster currently.
Mason Cole, Kendrick Green, JC Hassenauer, and Chris Owens
Owens is an undrafted free agent that was just signed this past weekend from Alabama. He only played 210 snaps during his entire collegiate career. He and Hassenauer were teammates for three years and both played reserve roles. Green struggled mightily last season, but there hasn’t exactly been a clear answer from Mike Tomlin on if Green will switch back to guard. Hassenauer out played him in the final weeks of 2021 while Green nursed an injury.
Cole comes to the Steelers with 39 games as a starter under his belt. But he’s never been considered to be a top lineman. He was replaced, and then traded by the team that drafted him. His versatility should allow him to see plenty of playing time this season even if he’s not the starting center week 1. There are lots of bodies that could be at center, but what will the performance look like? Who knows.
James Daniels, Kevin Dotson, Nate Gilliam, Malcolm Pridgeon, and John Leglue
The Steelers have 3 viable options at guard from this group. Daniels’ can play center too in a pinch, but the belief is he will only play guard for the Steelers under normal circumstances. Dotson was thought of to be a sure-fire future star heading into 2021, but questions arised during the pre-season about his off-season training program. While he lifted and added muscle, the coaches weren’t exactly thrilled with his conditioning according to reports. He missed most of the season with a high ankle sprain.
Leglue saw a dream come true as he was able to start at guard towards the end of the season. He had some solid moments, but lots of bad too. But with that said he should get an opportunity to make the team straight out of training camp this season. Pridgeon, and Gilliam are long shots at best. Gilliam had two stints on the Steelers’ practice squad in 2021 and signed a futures contract following the season.
Jake Dixon, Chaz Green, Joe Haeg, Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, and Jordan Tucker
Tucker is a massive human who was just signed to the Steelers as an undrafted free agent from North Carolina. Green, and Haeg were both off-season signings from last year when the cash strapped Steelers had no other option. Haeg surprisingly played decent, but Green was a disappointment. Dixon is a local product who is a long shot to make the roster, but could be a viable practice squad player for 2022.
Okorafor received a three year contract, but it’s essentially a one-year prove it deal for the Steelers. If they release him after 2022t they won’t be on the hook for much of that contract. While he’s had his struggles he seemed to improve last season to the point he could’ve been the Steelers best lineman. Not saying a whole lot, but better than being the worst. Moore had struggles, but showed signs of life each week. He held the heralded Myles Garrett to one sack in two games.
Center JC Tretter – Tretter was unexpectedly released by the Browns in March. He’s started 16 games each season for the past 4 years for the Browns. He would bring a strong presence and another leader to a mostly young offensive line. He would solidify the middle of the offensive line for Mitchell Trubisky, or Kenny Pickett for the next few years. It would also give Green a veteran mentor, something he hasn’t had yet during his NFL career.
Tackle Eric Fisher – Fisher spent one season with Indianapolis after 8 with Kansas City. While Fisher was an asset in run blocking for the Colts, his pass protection has taken a nosedive. He allowed 7 sacks last year to Carson Wentz. The Steelers will likely lean on the run game more than the pass game and giving Najee Harris another stout run blocker wouldn’t hurt his feelings. It would allow them to give Moore more time to grow and mature. Fisher can play either tackle positions in case of injury.
Tackle Sam Tevi – Tevi would be an upgrade from Haeg and Green immediately. He also shouldn’t cost a ton as he’s coming off a season in which he tore his ACL in the preseason. He had a visit with the Cowboys recently, but remains unsigned. Sam started 15 games in his second year with the Chargers. He would remain the Chargers’ starting RT from 2019-2020 as well. Tevi left the Chargers as a free agent last season and signed a one-year deal with the Colts to compete for their swing tackle job. Tevi and Steelers new offensive line coach Pat Meyer was Tevi’s coach
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The Steelers signed guard/center Mason Cole, guard James Daniels, and re-signed veteran tackle Chuks Okorafor at the very beginning of free agency. Daniels will take over the right guard spot beside Okorafor. Cole will battle it out with Kendrick Green, and J.C Hassenauer for the starting center position. That leaves left tackle Dan Moore Jr with very little competition.
Let’s take a look at all of the offensive lineman on the roster currently.
Steelers Centers
Mason Cole, Kendrick Green, JC Hassenauer, and Chris Owens
Owens is an undrafted free agent that was just signed this past weekend from Alabama. He only played 210 snaps during his entire collegiate career. He and Hassenauer were teammates for three years and both played reserve roles. Green struggled mightily last season, but there hasn’t exactly been a clear answer from Mike Tomlin on if Green will switch back to guard. Hassenauer out played him in the final weeks of 2021 while Green nursed an injury.
Cole comes to the Steelers with 39 games as a starter under his belt. But he’s never been considered to be a top lineman. He was replaced, and then traded by the team that drafted him. His versatility should allow him to see plenty of playing time this season even if he’s not the starting center week 1. There are lots of bodies that could be at center, but what will the performance look like? Who knows.
Steelers Guards
James Daniels, Kevin Dotson, Nate Gilliam, Malcolm Pridgeon, and John Leglue
The Steelers have 3 viable options at guard from this group. Daniels’ can play center too in a pinch, but the belief is he will only play guard for the Steelers under normal circumstances. Dotson was thought of to be a sure-fire future star heading into 2021, but questions arised during the pre-season about his off-season training program. While he lifted and added muscle, the coaches weren’t exactly thrilled with his conditioning according to reports. He missed most of the season with a high ankle sprain.
Leglue saw a dream come true as he was able to start at guard towards the end of the season. He had some solid moments, but lots of bad too. But with that said he should get an opportunity to make the team straight out of training camp this season. Pridgeon, and Gilliam are long shots at best. Gilliam had two stints on the Steelers’ practice squad in 2021 and signed a futures contract following the season.
Steelers Tackles
Jake Dixon, Chaz Green, Joe Haeg, Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, and Jordan Tucker
Tucker is a massive human who was just signed to the Steelers as an undrafted free agent from North Carolina. Green, and Haeg were both off-season signings from last year when the cash strapped Steelers had no other option. Haeg surprisingly played decent, but Green was a disappointment. Dixon is a local product who is a long shot to make the roster, but could be a viable practice squad player for 2022.
Okorafor received a three year contract, but it’s essentially a one-year prove it deal for the Steelers. If they release him after 2022t they won’t be on the hook for much of that contract. While he’s had his struggles he seemed to improve last season to the point he could’ve been the Steelers best lineman. Not saying a whole lot, but better than being the worst. Moore had struggles, but showed signs of life each week. He held the heralded Myles Garrett to one sack in two games.
Free Agents The Steelers Should Consider
Center JC Tretter – Tretter was unexpectedly released by the Browns in March. He’s started 16 games each season for the past 4 years for the Browns. He would bring a strong presence and another leader to a mostly young offensive line. He would solidify the middle of the offensive line for Mitchell Trubisky, or Kenny Pickett for the next few years. It would also give Green a veteran mentor, something he hasn’t had yet during his NFL career.
Tackle Eric Fisher – Fisher spent one season with Indianapolis after 8 with Kansas City. While Fisher was an asset in run blocking for the Colts, his pass protection has taken a nosedive. He allowed 7 sacks last year to Carson Wentz. The Steelers will likely lean on the run game more than the pass game and giving Najee Harris another stout run blocker wouldn’t hurt his feelings. It would allow them to give Moore more time to grow and mature. Fisher can play either tackle positions in case of injury.
Tackle Sam Tevi – Tevi would be an upgrade from Haeg and Green immediately. He also shouldn’t cost a ton as he’s coming off a season in which he tore his ACL in the preseason. He had a visit with the Cowboys recently, but remains unsigned. Sam started 15 games in his second year with the Chargers. He would remain the Chargers’ starting RT from 2019-2020 as well. Tevi left the Chargers as a free agent last season and signed a one-year deal with the Colts to compete for their swing tackle job. Tevi and Steelers new offensive line coach Pat Meyer was Tevi’s coach
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