Steelers Draft Preview: Offensive Line

The Steelers promoted Max Starks to starting LT last year, and for the first part of the year it looked like the move was paying off. Starks shut down Elvis Dumervil and Jared Allen when the Steelers hit their peak in the middle of the year last year. But then the wheels began to fall off on the O-line. Part of the problem was the scheme: it’s hard to block 6 blitzers with only 5 guys. Ever since Willie Colon was given the RT job, analysts from outside the city have been saying he should be moved in to guard. Colon projects to be the RT once again this season, and he has shown improvement over his time as a starter. Colon is one of the better run-blockers we have on the team, but he has struggled in pass protection, particularly against speed rushers from the outside. Ramon Foster was able to step in at both guard and tackle last year when players were injured, and he looks much better than Tony Hills. The Steelers brought in Jonathan Scott from Buffalo in free agency to serve as a back-up, but he probably won’t be more than that. The Steelers could use some more depth at tackle, and very well could address it in the first round.

Brian Bulaga (Iowa) – 1st Round (trade up)

Charles Brown (USC) – 1st Round

Rodger Saffold (Indiana) – 2nd Round

Sam Young (Notre Dame) – 3rd Round

The Steelers need a guard badly. We’ve been very vocal about loving Mike Iupati from Idaho. The Steelers are in perfect position to draft him at #18 in the draft, and he could start right away at RG. Trai Essex did an okay job last year, but guard is definitely a spot that could use an upgrade. Chris Kemoeatu is stepping into the role of a pulling guard well, but he was injured for much of last year, and Ramon Foster just didn’t have the foot quickness that Kemoeatu did. The Steelers invested a 3rd round pick in Urbik last year, but he never saw playing time. Iupati is an absolute mauler in the run game. His pass blocking still needs some work, but he would be a huge improvement to the offensive line.

Mike Iupati (Idaho) – 1st Round

Mike Johnson (Alabama) – 3rd – 4th Round

Justin Hartwig is, without a doubt, an upgrade over the disaster that was Sean Mahan. That being said, Hartwig is getting up there in years and it might be time for the Steelers to start looking for a long-term replacement. The team is high on Doug Legursky, who saw some time in the starting lineup last year at center and guard due to injuries. We really liked the pick of AQ Shipley last year, but he was signed by Philly this offseason, and is no longer an option. If the Steelers can’t land Mike Iupati, we hope they take a long, hard look at Maurkice Pouncey (Florida). Pouncey would be able to step in if needed at center or guard on the line, and would give us a long-term solution in the middle of the line. He has the size to handle the big NT’s of the AFC North and be a force in the run game.

Maurkice Pouncey (Florida) – 1st Round

JD Walton (Baylor) – 3rd Round