The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent a significant amount of capital, both through the NFL Draft and free agency, to attempt and fix their offensive line over the past two seasons. From signing both Mason Cole and James Daniels last offseason, to signing Isaac Seumolo and Nate Herbig, as well as drafting Broderick Jones in the first round, there is no shortage of investment. However, that hasn't always been the case for the Steelers, as they have often managed to find diamonds in the rough up front.
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Throughout the years, the Steelers have managed to find offensive linemen who were castoffs from other teams, low draft picks who worked their way up, and even players at other positions that they helped groom into solid NFL starters.
This list includes Willie Colon, a fourth round pick in 2006 by the Steelers who went on to start over 60 games for the team. Kelvin Beachum, who was a seventh round pick in 2012 by the Steelers, and ended up being the team's starting left tackle for three seasons before continuing his 11-year NFL career elsewhere. Possibly the most successful is Ramon Foster, who was an undrafted free agent the Steelers signed in 2009 who spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. He ended up starting 145 games over his 11 years with the team.
Added onto this list might be the most memorable player of the group, and arguably the one that had the biggest hurdles to overcome. That would be none other than Alejandro Villanueva, who spent six seasons protecting the blind side of Steelers' quarterbacks.
Nam Y. Huh | AP Photo
Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva
As most of Steeler Nation is well aware of, Villanueva is not the usual long shot player that the Steelers took a chance on and helped develop into a high quality player. Villanueva is a former Army Ranger that had three separate tours of duty in Afghanistan that spanned across the early 2010s. Prior to this Villanueva's service, he attended the Army U.S. Military Academy where he also played football for the Black Knights.
Despite becoming a Pro Bowl left tackle in the NFL, his playing days in college weren't as many as some would have expected. He was originally recruited as a tight end, but shortly after converted to playing defensive end. By the end of his second season, Villanueva was back on the offensive side of the ball and became the Black Knight's starting left tackle. That wasn't the end of his position changes however, as in his senior year, he started at wide receiver for the Black Knights as well.
Even though he went through several position changes in college, and him fulfilling his service commitment after graduation, there was still interest in Villanueva by NFL teams. That isn't hard to imagine considering he was a rather good athlete for someone standing at least 6'9" and around 300lbs.
Alejandro Villanueva Was A Unique Athlete That Caught The Steelers' Attention
Although he made multiple attempts in between his tours of duty to break into the NFL, Villanueva never latched on with an NFL team until the Philadelphia Eagles signed him in 2014. He was later released and it was a couple days later that Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin and staff swooped in to sign him after being impressed by Villanueva's performance against the Steelers in a preseason game.
Recently, Villanueva joined the New Heights podcast which is hosted by both Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce. During that podcast, he spoke on several topics, including how James Harrison was a key factor in him sticking in the NFL, as well as how he believes Coach Tomlin could easily be doing a lot bigger things in life than being a football coach.
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Former Steelers' Offensive Tackle Alejandro Villanueva on the New Heights Podcast sharing his stories with the Kelce brothers.
In addition to all of that, one interesting note that Villanueva describes is how he was very close to being re-signed by the Eagles and almost didn't end up in the Black and Gold. He details how a couple hour difference in a phone call might have changed his entire NFL career path. Below is what he told the Kelces about how the Eagles called him while he was in the Steelers' office.
"I was in the Steelers' office about to sign a practice squad deal, and they called me from the Eagles," said Villanueva. "I was like, 'Dude, I can't say no. I already drove to Pittsburgh.' I feel bad telling this man in front of me, 'I'm not going to sign with you. I'm going back to Philly."
It is crazy to think, that maybe if Philadelphia's brass would've reached out to Villanueva even just one hour earlier, that we would never see him play a game as the Steelers' starting left tackle.
After that, the rest is history. Villanueva went on to have a very successful career in Pittsburgh, including two Pro Bowl selections and even catching a touchdown. There was a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens for one season following his time with the Steelers as he started for the Ravens for one season. Villanueva then retired in the spring of 2022.
What do you think would have happened to Villanueva's NFL career had he went back to the Eagles and likely stayed on the defensive line? What would've happened to the Steelers offensive line in this case? Let us know in the comments below!
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