The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday afternoon that they are cutting center Mason Cole. After a rough two seasons with Pittsburgh, Cole was let go with a year left on his contract. Cole's release will save the Steelers $4.75 million as they make more moves heading into the offseason. Here are your Steelers' top five targets for their new starting center via either free agency or through the 2024 NFL Draft in April.
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University of Oregon center and 2024 draft prospect, Jackson Powers-Johnson points towards the stands as his team warms up prior to a collegiate football game.
1. Jackson Powers-Johnson
With the NFL Draft approaching, one of the names floating around with the Steelers is center Jackson Powers-Johnson out of Oregon. Powers-Johnson is a whopping 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds. After two seasons at guard, Powers-Johnson moved to center this year and was a unanimous All-American and Rimington Award winner. Powers-Jonson may be the first center taken off the board early, so the Steelers having the 20th pick won't do them any favors.
2. Zach Frazier
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The Steelers could find their franchise center for the next decade by selecting Zach Frazier.
West Virginia's Zach Frazier has also been linked with the Steelers. Frazier is one of the best centers in the draft, right behind Powers-Johnson. Frazier will most likely fall late in the first round, or possibly go in the second. Frazier is a two-time All American that only allowed two sacks this past season. A team like the Steelers that are in need of a center would be more than happy to see this young talent still on the bored with their first pick.
Between Powers-Johnson and Frazier, these should be the Steelers' top two centers on their radar via the draft. If neither of them somehow fall to the Steel City, then the Steelers will also have free agency as an option.
3. Connor Williams
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Steelers' possible free agent target, center Connor Williams (58).
Center Connor Williams just finished his two-year, $14 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, and he's considered a top 10 center in the NFL. Williams was having one of the best years of his career this past season, but he went down with a torn ACL in Week 13. An injury as serious as this will make teams pump the breaks before going all in on the center, but Williams will be looking for a great recovery this offseason and could be excited for a new start somewhere else.
4. Andre James
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Steelers' potential free agent target, Las Vegas Raiders center, Andre James.
Andre James was an undrafted free agent in 2019 out of UCLA that finished his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. James is an average, middle of the pack center, but can give consistent play. He only had 3 penalties in 2023, and Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 74.6. He's better than Cole, and for a small price, James may be a steal. He is expected to get a deal around $8 million this offseason.
5. Lloyd Cushenberry III
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Center Lloyd Cushenberry gets in position on the offensive line for the Denver Broncos.
Lloyd Cushenberry III was named the starting center for the Denver Broncos as a rookie in 2020. Cushenberry III did struggle his first three seasons, but last year, the center largely improved in the running game and as a pass protector. One of his bigger flaws is the penalty commits, but the Steelers have one of the least penalized offenses in the league, which may help him improve his discipline.
Steelers Showing Their Hand Early
With the release of Cole, the Steelers have shown their commitment to upgrading their center position. Such a title has been especially sacred in Pittsburgh following the likes of Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Maurkice Pouncey to name a few. For this 2024 team to take that next step, it will start upfront.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Which of these guys should the Steelers go after? Let us know in the comments.
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