Steelers: State of Left Tackle

The Steelers have some things to do this offseason but perhaps the most important is deciding what to do with left tackle

Kelvin Beachum is a free agent. Therefore it is currently unclear who will be playing left tackle for the Steelers this year. There’s been a lot of talk about the secondary. There’s been talk of Heath Miller and his replacement, Ladarius Green. And unfortunately we’ve been seeing a lot of Martavis Bryant lately. But the most important thing might be finding a left tackle.

Any football fan knows the left tackle position is very important in the NFL. We’ve all heard that little spiel about how left tackle is the second highest paid position. It’s actually defensive end as of 2015 but still, left tackle is up there. He’s guarding the quarterback’s back from the opposing team’s best pass rusher. Tough gig. Important gig.

The Steelers have been spoiled for a few years with Kelvin Beachum. Beachum has flown way under the radar for some reason in the public eye but people who know football know Beachum has been a high end left tackle for a few years now. Pro Football Focus for example, whose mysterious measurements always seem to suggest Beachum is elite, named him a “secret superstar” prior to 2015.

Not only that, but Beachum was a 7th round draft pick. He was a gap filler for a few years back when the Steelers were regularly losing offensive linemen to injuries. He settled at left tackle though. He appeared a stop gap to most but his play spoke for itself. Despite being very undersized for an NFL tackle he’s really excelled.

And he’s done it on a 7th round salary. Beachum is undoubtedly deserving of more than he made last year. How much though? The Steelers and Beachum were unable to agree to terms during negotiations last year.

Now Beachum is a free agent and the Steelers are without a left tackle at the moment. A team that passes like the Steelers needs a left tackle. So what can they do to fix this situation?

1. Sign Beachum

Obviously the Steelers can try to sign Beachum. This poses some challenges. Beachum’s been under the radar but the secret got out. He’s getting offers. He’s already talked to several NFL teams. The Steelers don’t have a great deal of money and as we discussed, left tackle isn’t cheap and it feels like Beachum is ready to earn after being the NFL’s biggest bargain.

On the plus side, Beachum is undersized and underrated, still. This could drive down his price. In addition, his injury makes him more affordable. First, it injured him. Are there any lingering impacts? Those questions drive down price. Second, he didn’t really get to show his full potential for a whole season. Not to mention the Steelers did not seem to miss a beat without him.

I’m sure the Steelers want to keep Beachum. The guy works hard. He’s a team player. What’s not to want? But I don’t like commutes and I want a helicopter to take me to work. I can’t afford a helicopter. The Steelers will likely see what other teams do with Beachum first. If he gets a serious offer the Steelers seem like they are willing to let him go.

2. Sign Someone Else

If the Steelers can’t sign Kelvin Beachum, how can they sign anyone else? Well, they can’t sign anyone else in the literal sense, but they can sign someone else. And they’re currently working on exactly that. The Steelers have already scheduled visits with San Diego’s Chris Hairston and Denver’s Ryan Harris, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

They’ve also met, and offered a contract to Russell Okung, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, formerly of Seattle. Okung was a 6th overall pick in 2010 and made a Pro Bowl in 2012 but has dealt with some injuries since (driving down his price of course). He’s got more than enough experience blocking for a scrambling quarterback.

3. Promote From Within

Remember that bit about when Kelvin tore his ACL the Steelers didn’t miss a beat? Well that’s because of a little guy named Alejandro Villanueva. Of course, the big fella stands 6’9″ and weighs 320 pounds. He performed more than adequately in the starting role last year.

Villanueva, a former Army Ranger, has the age and life experience that made him a viable starting left tackle in only his second year. He works hard and under Mike Munchak’s tutelage he showed he could do it, which perhaps is why the Steelers have been so comfortable with this wait and see approach they’re taking with Beachum.

4. Draft

Finally, if all else fails the Steelers can turn to their old friend the draft. You’re an odd bird if you wear the black and gold and you weren’t drafted by Pittsburgh. So don’t be surprised if they take a lineman in the draft. For depth purposes that might be obvious but they might set their sights higher than a depth pick.

From Josh Taylor of Trib Live Radio the Steelers have met with Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker. Decker started 42 straight games and won a national championship. He’s expected to go in the first or second round. So the Steelers are ready to get serious in the draft to fill left tackle.

Next: Steelers can learn valuable lesson as Brandon Boykin ordeal draws to a close

So the Steelers have options. What will they do?

I expect Beachum to be gone. The Steelers can’t do a bidding war. And it seems unlikely they’ll leave it to the chance and chaos of the draft. Under different circumstances I’d think they’d let Villanueva slide in, but the Steelers feel too close to a ring to develop a left tackle this season. So expect a left tackle in free agency. But that’s up to Colbert at the end of the day.