The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in an awkward position over the last few seasons when it comes to their offensive line. The Steelers once had a dominant line with guys like Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Alejandro Villanueva and Ramon Foster. Unfortunately, once the last of them left Pittsburgh after the 2020 season, the Steelers' line has never been right. The Steelers tried a handful of experiments to fix their recent issues, one of those being their attempt at transitioning Kendrick Green from a natural guard to full-time center.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger with Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, and Alejandro Villanueva
With Pouncey's goodbye to Pittsburgh, the Steelers were in a spot that they hadn't been in for over a decade - they needed their next generational center. In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Green in the third round out of the University of Illinois, with the plan of transitioning him from a guard into their long-term center. That did not go as planned, as Green's rookie season under center was a blunder.
Yahoo Sports
Steelers former offensive lineman Kendrick Green had multiple mistakes in the first preseason game of 2023
Green had played a little bit of center for Illinois, but stayed at the guard spot predominantly. After showing no signs of optimism that Green could be the future at center for the Steelers, he was ultimately moved back to guard and was beaten out for a starting spot, keeping Green on the bench for the 2022 season. Green was then traded ahead of the 2023 season for draft compensation.
Why does all of this matter? The Steelers, still to this point, three years later after Pouncey retired, do not have their long-term center. However, with a lot of talent in the upcoming draft at the end of April, there is a possibility that they draft another athletic outside lineman who may also have to take a shot at transitioning into center. Duke Blue Devils' tackle Graham Barton is catching a lot of eyes this offseason including Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's insider Brian Batko.
Duke Athletics
Steelers projected to draft Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton.
Batko was asked about the possibility of the Steelers landing Barton early on in the draft and refers to Barton's unique athleticism and versatility, although he isn't sold on Barton remaining on the board after the first round.
"I think I'd be more likely to consider him as a round two target if you don't go with Jackson Powers-Johnson in the first round and if you get a Latham or Mims to fall to you, or perhaps Fuaga because there's just not much projection needed for him to slide right in there at right tackle."
Batko also says how Barton has been catching scouts' attention even ahead of the 2023 draft. He then proceeds to arise the point that if the Steelers do select Barton, he may in fact be a do-over in a recent experiment they recently conducted with Green.
"He does move really well. I think the comparison with Kendrick Green is a relevant one. Barton hasn't played center since 2020, and yet Kendrick Green played four starts at center, so if you want to really dice it up Barton technically has slightly more experience. It's almost a completely different scouting and coaching o-line regime from that 2021 Green draft to now. They might have a little bit better feel for whether a guy like Barton can transition from college tackle to NFL center and if so how quickly he'd be able to do it."
Barton killed his pro day recently, boosting his draft stock. Not only that, his tape on the field speaks for itself. The question for many teams will become how will the star handle moving from the outside to the inside. Well, for Steelers fans, he better adjust easily. Pittsburgh cannot afford to strikeout on another center with the goals and aspirations they have.
Steelers May Be Forced To Bring Back Mason Cole
With the possibility that the Steelers don't reach any of the big names that they are hoping for in the draft, the Steelers may have to resign Mason Cole. Only at the very least to fill out the depth chart, Cole should not be returning as a starter. Cole was brought in by the Steelers to replace Green, and obviously to this point neither of them were solutions.
What do you think? Should the Steelers get a mulligan and draft Burton? Let us know in the comments.
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