3 college offensive lineman Steelers fans need to watch this season

The Steelers head into this season with some new starters and some uncertainty at Left Guard and Right Tackle. So when the draft rolls around in April, offensive lineman could be a high priority position depending on how the like of Banner and Okorafor play this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extremely reliable front five over the past seasons that has allowed for one of the best offenses of the decade. The previous season was a cause for concern as the majority of the offensive line seemed to struggle in many aspects of the game, even after many had high hopes for them to help Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges.

If those issues for blocking for the run game and their ability to allow pass rushes to get by them with this newly formed group, this position will be a high need for the team come April. This area of the football field seems to never be an exciting pick, but it is a necessary one in order to build champion-level teams.

Penei Sewell, Oregon

Sewell is the top O-line prospect for this draft without question heading into this year. One could wonder without Justin Herbert if his play might not have as much of an impact this season like it did last year. Oregon is a program that is getting back to its former glory, so it is completely possible that Sewell and the Ducks surpass expectations both individually and as a team.

The mammoth of a man at 6’6 and over 320 pounds with extreme athletic ability to move and crush at the point of attack.

Samuel Cosmi, Texas

This young man out of the Longhorns program will be leaving school as a junior and has a lot to build off of the last season. After a nice sophomore season, Cosmi needs to continue to build on his resume to increase his draft stock. Cosmi still needs to add size to his frame as he barely surpasses the 310-pound mark, but at 6’7 he has the size to become a solid player at the next level. He seems to be more of a starting project tackle coming out of the collegiate level, so in simpler terms he is raw.

His raw athletic ability has caught the eye of many NFL scouts and with this upcoming season, he can show that he is not as raw as many seem to think. This season is extremely important for Cosmi to show his athletic ability and his potential ceiling as a prospect in this upcoming draft in order for a team to select him early.

Walker Little, Stanford

Little could potentially be the best sleeper for this group of top O-line prospects when it comes to this class. Little was one of if not the best lineman heading into last season and projected to be a solid draft day pick in 2020, but an injury hindered him from entering this past year. He comes into this season with a new bill of health and a lot to prove.

If Little can go straight back to form before his injury and grow as a player this season and show his athletic ability during the pre-draft process then he will be a great pick for any team looking for a player to protect their top-flight players.

The Steelers always need to add when it comes to protecting their franchise and this year’s draft has some great prospects heading into the season.