Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been focusing on strengthening their offensive line over the past two years, investing heavily in young talent through the NFL Draft. The 2024 season saw the team select three new linemen: tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier, and guard Mason McCormick. These selections followed the previous year's draft of Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson.

Despite some progress in 2024, head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that there is still work to be done. "Certainly, it didn't end the way we would like as a collective and as a smaller collective," he said. Tomlin pointed out that injuries led to four different line combinations in just the first six games.

Fautanu was sidelined for the season due to knee injuries but showed potential during training camp. His return in 2025 is anticipated to bolster the line further. Frazier received praise from analysts for his performance as a rookie center, while McCormick stepped up at right guard following an injury to James Daniels.

Jones experienced a mixed second season but remains a promising prospect given his age and experience. Meanwhile, Dan Moore maintained solid performance at left tackle despite not being among the top starters in his position.

Veteran players like Isaac Seumalo provided stability amidst frequent changes due to injuries. Anderson's versatility allowed him to cover multiple positions when needed, while Nate Herbig offered depth with his ability to play both center and guard.

Looking ahead, several players including Daniels, Moore, Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping, and Herbig are set to become unrestricted free agents in March. Ryan McCollum will be an exclusive rights free agent after stepping up midseason due to injuries.

The Steelers' focus on building a young offensive line seems promising for future seasons as they aim for greater consistency and development among their drafted talents.