One of the biggest concerns for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering the 2022 NFL regular season was the offensive line. The rushing attack a year ago was 29th in the league averaging just 93.1 yards per game on the ground and if it weren't for retired quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger getting the ball out of his hands so quickly, the sack numbers would have been through the roof. It takes time for linemen to truly gel with one another and while they haven't been perfect, the same five guys have started each game for the franchise this season and put on the most impressive stretch of their tenure.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen, James Daniels (#78) and Mason Cole (#61) pass block for quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) during the Aug. 20 preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. | Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
The right side of the line featuring newcomer and guard, James Daniels along Chukwuma Okorafor has been the most consistent, while center, Mason Cole has been solid as well. The main pain points have been on the left side as penalties and missed assignments have led to many calling for the replacement of one or both guys: Kevin Dotson and Dan Moore Jr. There's no guarantee they will starting a year from now, but the unit has taken a turn since the bye week and a first round pick in 2023 may be better served on the defensive line instead.
Pittsburgh has over 100 yards rushing in six of its last seven games including a dominant performance versus the New Orleans Saints, as the offense collected 217 yards on the ground, by far the best mark of the season. Since the bye week, the team has run for an average of over 144 yards per game and other than the outlier of six sacks allowed against New Orleans, opposing defense's are averaging just 1.6 sacks per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mason Cole (left), and guard James Daniels (right), participate in phase two of the voluntary off-season workout program, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Running back, Najee Harris was confident in the guys who block for him since the very beginning of the season. He told members of the media back in September that he was at fault for the lack of success the offense was having attempting to run the football:
"We are talking bad about the O-line everywhere, it’s not the O-line. I think the O-line did a really good job last week. Actually, starting from the [New England] Patriots, they did a really good job of doing what they can control. It just comes down to me."
Depth is absolutely needed on the offensive line. This is not suggesting the front office isn't going to target linemen in the draft and maybe even early. But, after this unit began to build some rapport amongst themselves, it has been night and day since Week 10. Moore Jr. and Dotson have a lot to do from now until next season to retain their starting jobs, but the second half of the season has proven that the group as a whole has potential.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard, Kevin Dotson (#69) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin better be sure that this group has what it takes to develop into one of the NFL's best, though. Selecting someone late on day two or beyond will give fans nightmares about how Kendrick Green's career has played out.
The offensive line has certainly done enough to make the front office look towards the defensive big men earlier rather than searching for their potential replacements. Multiple will be free agents and age isn't necessarily their friend. The team needs a big run stuffer and while former Steeler, Javon Hargrave is set to be a free agent, the organization is much more likely to build up the depth through the draft. Someone like Bryan Bresee out of the University of Clemson could be an impactful force right away alongside Cameron Heyward.
Do you think Pittsburgh should draft an offensive lineman in the first round of next year's draft? Let us know in the comments below!
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