The Pittsburgh Steelers will be expected to make some changes to the team this offseason. One of the major areas the Steelers hope to improve upon is the offensive line. While many are anticipating the new additions to be on the outside, at the offensive tackle position, there are a few players in the 2023 NFL Draft the team should keep their eye on for the interior.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Seeking Potential Upgrades At Guard And Center
Before we begin to discuss these players, please understand that this is not a ranking, but a general overview of what each of them brings to the table and why the Steelers might want to potentially draft each of them. With that being said, here is the list of offensive linemen that could help bolster the black and gold:
Cody Mauch
https://bisonillustrated.com/pride-of-the-prairie-cody-mauch/
Cody Mauch out of North Dakota State University is an interesting prospect as he has a lot of experience playing different positions on the offensive line. Mauch has played everything from tackle to center, but according to his measurements at the NFL Combine, he may want to play one spot in particular. His arm length is listed at 32 3/8-inches long, meaning Mauch does not have the reach to be a tackle at the next level, but rather his skills may be best suited to playing guard. Aside from this, Mauch is a good athlete, one that the Steelers could possibly snag after the first round.
O’Cyrus Torrence
Tim Casey
O’Cyrus Torrence is being highly sought in the 2023 NFL Draft after his lone year at the University of Florida. There are a plethora of reasons, but one that stands out is Torrence’s build. Listed at six foot five inches tall and weighing 330 pounds, Torrence’s size makes him a dominant force up front.
Unfortunately, his size also creates a slight drawback in terms of his speed. Torrence ran a 5.31 at the NFL Scouting Combine, which is only an average time for an offensive lineman. Torrence may not have blazing speed, but he does have a great deal of power, enough to take on the most astounding defensive players including star defensive prospect Jalen Carter. If the Steelers do decide to go with an offensive lineman in round one, Torrence could be a solid selection.
John Michael Schmitz
thedraftnetwork.com
John Michael Schmitz is a name that Steelers fans might want to start familiarizing themselves with. Schmitz was a four-year starter at center at the University of Minnesota and with those years he’s gained an extensive amount of knowledge of the game of football. NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah explained why many teams should be high on a player like Schmitz:
"I'm willing to say, if you go back in history and look at guys who have started over 40-plus games in the Big Ten, the offensive line, they all stick at the next level."
As a result of having spent four years as a starter in one of the “Power Five” athletic conferences for college football, Schmitz has become highly effective in both run blocking and pass protection. These skills were on display at the Senior Bowl on February 4 where Daniel Jeremiah believes Schmitz helped increase his draft value:
"I thought he entered this week as a second-rounder," Jeremiah assessed. "He might leave this week as a first-rounder."
If Schmitz is available at number 17, it would not be a bad selection at all for the Steelers. Schmitz has the potential to give Pittsburgh long-term stability at the center position, which the team has not had since the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey at the end of the 2020 season.
Final Consensus
Regardless of where any of us rank these players, it is up to the Steelers' front office to figure out if any of these prospects meet the team’s criteria. One thing that I can say for certain is that if Pittsburgh manages to draft even a single one of the three players from the above list, the offense is going to become much more productive in 2023 and the years to follow.
Which of these three players would you want the Steelers to draft? Be sure to let us know in the comment section and on social media.
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