The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone about filling a number of notable holes on their roster thus far this offseason, including each gifted starters and notable depth at varied positions of want. Their greatest splash of the offseason was arguably WR DK Metcalf, giving the group a verified WR1 for the foreseeable future. The group additionally managed so as to add CB Darius Slay and DL Derrick Harmon, who undertaking to start out for Pittsburgh this season, whereas RB Kaleb Johnson, S Juan Thornhill, and lots of others will contribute closely at their respective positions, if not begin sooner or later throughout the 2025 season.
Nonetheless, one place the Steelers have finished little to deal with thus far this offseason is the offensive line, bringing again veterans Max Scharping and OT Calvin Anderson, the latter to a two-year deal earlier within the offseason as nicely. However exterior of signing veteran IOL Lecitus Smith and Steven Jones in addition to UDFAs Gareth Warren and Aiden Williams, Pittsburgh did little so as to add substance over the course of free company and the 2025 NFL Draft.
For a group that has positioned a heavy precedence on increase the trenches the final couple of years, the shortage of funding up to now in including depth to the offensive line is regarding. Pittsburgh at present has OL Spencer Anderson who noticed his first actual motion final season, beginning 4 video games and taking part in 310 offensive snaps, C Ryan McCollum who crammed in for 2 video games for C Zach Frazier final 12 months, and OT Dylan Prepare dinner who has by no means performed an everyday season snap to associate with Anderson and Scharping.
At first look, the inside of the offensive line depth is best off than the sort out place. Scharping has began 33 video games for the Houston Texans from 2019 to 2021, though he’s solely been a reserve for the previous three seasons. Anderson and McCollum each began video games for Pittsburgh final season and held their very own, however neither could be thought of an excellent long-term beginning choice if both Isaac Seumalo or Mason McCormick went down resulting from damage.
Whereas Calvin Anderson has confirmed his versatility to play on both facet and has logged 14 begins in his profession, his play has been suspect at finest. Prepare dinner has been with Pittsburgh for 2 seasons now and hasn’t emerged as greater than a wholesome scratch.
With OT Troy Fautanu coming off a rookie season in 2024 the place he logged simply 55 offensive snaps earlier than struggling a season-ending knee damage and OT Broderick Jones displaying up-and-down play to start out his NFL profession, counting on each former first spherical picks to offer constant, dependable play could also be a bit optimistic by Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace. Subsequently, it could be smart for Pittsburgh to look to shore up the sort out place a bit extra earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, particularly with the attrition of play that may happen resulting from accidents.
In the case of free brokers nonetheless out there at sort out, Jedrick Wills Jr., D.J. Humphries, Isaiah Wynn, and Chris Hubbard look to be the highest out there names. Wills flamed out as a former first-round choose by the Cleveland Browns after back-to-back disappointing seasons, however he nonetheless brings the pedigree and expertise to the desk to be a serviceable swing sort out at worst, with the upside to show into extra on a one-year, prove-it deal.
The identical will be mentioned for Wynn, who has seen time at sort out and guard for the Patriots and Dolphins during the last couple of years. He brings the expertise of fifty begins to the desk.
Humphries and Hubbard are extra battle-tested vets who could be filling the swing sort out function for Pittsburgh’s youthful starters. Humphries began two video games for Kansas Metropolis final season after coming off a torn ACL in 2023 with the Cardinals, but additionally handled a hamstring damage on the finish of the 2024 season. It was believed that he was going to signal with the San Francisco 49ers, nevertheless it appears to be like wish to contract wasn’t signed. He could be a threat given his damage historical past, however Humphries does carry a wealth of beginning expertise to the desk.
Hubbard could be a low-ceiling, high-floor choice that Pittsburgh is well-acquainted with, having began his profession with Pittsburgh again in 2014. Hubbard performed 4 seasons in Pittsburgh earlier than signing with the Browns in free company in 2018. He then spent 5 seasons there earlier than spending a season every with the Titans and Giants the previous two seasons. Hubbard has seen motion at each sort out and guard throughout his NFL profession, having performed in 101 regular-season video games with 61 begins.
Pittsburgh may additionally discover the commerce market, however they possible will sit pat with the fellows they’ve going into camp in the event that they don’t go for one of many larger names left on the free agent market. They might look to herald somebody who will get lower on the finish of the preseason throughout roster cutdowns, however regardless, depth alongside the offensive line is an underrated subject that would look to have an effect on this group but once more in 2025.
