The Pittsburgh Steelers made improving the offensive line a priority in 2023. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl signed Isaac Seumalo in free agency to play left guard and drafted Broderick Jones in the first round of the NFL Draft. The pair of imports helped create clearer paths for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the running game and improved the Steelers' porous pass protection. It was hard to see when Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky were under center, but there was a difference when Mason Rudolph dared to stand in the pocket and look downfield.
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Steelers' left tackle Dan Moore Jr. could lose his job as the starter in 2024.
Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Ranks As One Of The Worst Tackles In The NFL
The job is not done. The Steelers need to replace Mason Cole at center and bring in a right tackle so that Jones can begin playing the position that the Steelers drafted him to play: left tackle. That means that Dan Moore Jr. either needs to learn to play right tackle, or the Steelers need to find someone to play that position. Jones was drafted to be the answer on the blind side, and Pittsburgh is associated with multiple right tackle prospects in a bevy of mock drafts. JC Latham, Amarius Mims, and Taliese Fuaga are becoming trendy names in Steeler Nation.
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Steelers' rookie seventh-rounder Spencer Anderson has the versatility to play multiple positions, which helped his case for making the 53-man roster.
On Tuesday, Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette threw a curveball in his Steelers Chat transcript. The veteran beat writer suggested that the Steelers might already have their answer at right tackle on the roster. Fittipaldo declared in response to a question of whether the Steelers would consider drafting another left tackle in 2024, that last year's seventh-round draft choice, Spencer Anderson, has turned some heads on Mike Tomlin's coaching staff. Enough so, that he might've shown enough to get a real chance at earning the position in training camp.
“I think they'll wait to see who is available in the draft before making a final decision,” Fittipaldo wrote. “As for Jones, on locker cleanout day, he told me he's going to prepare for both spots during the offseason. I know fans want to see him at left tackle, but they have the luxury of having a guy who can play both sides, so they do have some flexibility in the draft. Also, don't discount Spencer Anderson at right tackle in camp and Jones at left if Moore can't play on the right side. They really liked what Anderson showed them at tackle in training camp last year."
Anderson is the latest Steelers player drafted from the Maryland Terrapins program. There may be some unfair, malicious feelings towards any player from Maryland because of the Matt Canada connection, but he is no longer the offensive coordinator. Weidl, who is considered a bona fide draft guru in identifying offensive line talent, selected Anderson, so that should allay any fan base fears.
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University of Oregon center and 2024 draft prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson could point the way for the Steelers offense for a decade if the team chooses to select him in the first round of the April draft.
It would open up a world of possibilities in the draft and free agency if Anderson is at least a possible answer for the Steelers in 2024. It could free up Khan and Weidl to pick Jackson Powers-Johnson in the first round or select one of the elite cornerback prospects projected to be available with the 20th pick in the April draft. It could also give them the freedom to bring in a playmaker like Brian Thomas Jr. from the LSU Tigers to make life easier for whoever will be throwing forward passes next season.
Most importantly, it adds another potential contributor to an already deep draft class. The 2023 draft class is already the best Steelers class in a decade. Adding Anderson as a possible starter to Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, and Darnell Washington is a grand slam result for Khan and Weidl. Even if he becomes a key depth piece like Nick Herbig, it should excite fans and build anticipation on whether they can possibly equal the 2023 class this offseason.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Does Fittipaldo's revelation that Anderson has a chance to earn the right tackle spot make you feel great about the future of the black and gold? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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