1 Key Steelers UDFA And Best Fits Around The AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office has made upgrading the offensive line depth a major priority this offseason adding a Super Bowl-level guard in free agency and trading up to select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round. Despite the heavy emphasis on the position group so far, as the team prepares for its rookie minicamp on May 12, one position along the line still has some uncertainty surrounding the depth. 

The team has full faith in Mason Cole at center moving forward. The former Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings lineman started all 17 games last year and, according to Pro Football Reference, was only flagged twice for penalties with both being either declined or negated by another penalty. The team would love it if they can get that kind of consistency again in 2023 from the 27-year-old, but need to be prepared should he get injured or if his play drops. 

JC Hassenauer has been the Steelers' break glass in case of emergency lineman for the last three seasons, but he's off to the New York Giants having signed there as a free agent. The team seems to be holding a bit of competition to grab the job of backing up Cole in 2023. In a recent column by Steelers.com's Bob Labriola, he listed veterans James Daniels, Ryan McCollum, and Nate Herbig as roster players that might have the inside track having already played the position to some degree in the league. He's also intrigued by the possibility of either seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson from Maryland or camp invite XFL standout Mike Panasiuk, winning the job.  

One name however that The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner thinks has a good shot to stick is undrafted free agent Trevor Downing. The Iowa State center was the 16th-ranked center in the class by ESPN and might be a better fit in the pros as a guard, but remains an interesting potential roster candidate due to that versatility. 

"Despite being light (6-3, 299 pounds), has started full seasons at center and both guard spots," he said. "He’s better at guard, but his lack of length is going to be an issue there. If he can keep getting stronger, he has the smarts to stick."   

Steelers Rival Possibly Making Things A Family Affair And Other AFC North UDFA's To Watch Out For 

The Cincinnati Bengals and Steelers rivalry is already a fierce one, but if Baumgardner's pick for the Bengals makes the roster, it will become a family affair. The Michigan-based writer pegged Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward as his best fit for their squad. The cousin of Cam and Connor Heyward was a three-year starter in college and because of the last name, Baumgardner thinks he'll get a roster spot because "those Heyward boys — they seem to find a way."

The Cleveland Browns are looking for more pass-rush help for Myles Garrett after a messy split from Jadeveon Clowney. To that end, they've brought in Kansas edge rusher Lonnie Phelps to audition for the part.

"[He's] pretty much maxed out physically and doesn’t have outstanding length," Baumgardner notes. "He has terrific feet and covers a ton of space on the edge as a slippery pass rusher with third-down potential."

The Baltimore Ravens emphasized adding speed to their offense to try to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken with the biggest addition being speedy Boston College receiver Zay Flowers. To add even more, the team added East Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell to the mix. He's got "legit 'goodbye' speed," but certainly has some limitations at his size (5"7' and 179 pounds). 

Do you think Downing has a chance to make the team? Do any of the other AFC North pickups worry you? Is there a UDFA you think is a 'best fit' in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments.

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