Steelers training camp offensive line breakdown

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 08: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 08: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
7 of 7
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Kevin Dotson

The Steelers had to draft the position and they get a prospect who is a good run blocker. I hope that Dotson turns into the successor to David Decastro. I have to be honest, my hopes aren’t as high for Dotson as they were for Decastro and Decastro lived up to them. I do think Dotson is capable of becoming a good NFL guard.

The role he will play early in his career is as a backup guard who is capable of playing center. I think the Steelers are already training him at guard in case there are injuries to Pouncey and Wisniewski. I do think his role long-term is more as a guard though.

Dotson came from a good offensive line at Lousiana-Lafeyette where he played with Robert Hunt. That team was able to run the ball effectively. Although he didn’t play in a power five conference, he did play at the BCS level.

Conclusion

The Steelers have an aging offensive line this year with Villanueva, Pouncey, and Decastro. The bright side of things is that they are still producing at this level. I think Banner has a chance to have a good year and earn a contract as a right tackle for the team.

They have a couple of young players on the offensive line who I am hoping will become good NFL starters. With Villanueva, Decastro, and Pouncey aging, it would be nice to see the team develop some fresh blood on the offensive line. Shaun Sarrett has his work cut out for him.

There are some young players on the offensive line, but none of them are really standing out for me at this point. I think this is a team that is going to carry eight offensive linemen.

My hope is that Derwin Gray progresses because he could become a position flexible member of this team. Developing players is going to be the key for the Steelers moving forward.

Schedule