3 reasons we are overreacting to the ugly end of the Steelers’ 2020 season

The Steelers’ offensive line is getting younger and at the right time

Kevin Dotson might be the Steelers’ best offensive lineman in 2021, as he will probably be one of the best guards in the NFL. Pairing him with David Decastro will make a formidable guard pairing and the interior of the o-line is a great place to focus your rebuild on. We are too quick to forget that the Steelers’ real starting right tackle, Zach Banner, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1.

At the end of 2019, the average age of the Steelers offensive line was 30.5. Just the average age of the 4 possible starters in 2021; Banner, Dotson, Okorafor, and Decastro, is already down to 26. Adding a rookie would bring it down even further. I do think Chuks or Banner could be a starting left tackle in the NFL, and if the Steelers are throwing quick again, they can focus on getting a top tier center in the draft to look at a much younger, yet probably more talented offensive line.

With all of the talented pass-catchers in this draft, along with the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in years, a lot of talented big-men are going to fall in the first round, more than they should. If there was a year the Steelers were forced to draft big in the first round, I am glad it is this year. I will not be surprised to see a player to the caliber of Landon Dickerson fall to Pittsburgh in the draft. He had a season-ending injury this year, which could help him fall, but there are substantial arguments for him being the best center in college football in 2020.

Even if he is drafted, the Steelers will have the opportunity to nab one of the top 3 centers in this draft class. If they chose to go tackle, the class is even deeper, but either way, they will be able to get a good starter with the 24th pick at either position. While being able to get an average starter in day 2 should they wish to.

It will be improved and fresh in the trenches. While depth will remain a concern, the Steelers can utilize a full slate of draft picks after the first two days to find some depth to run within 2021 and beyond. It still won’t be the strong point of the team or even the offense, but the Steelers O-line will not be as much of a liability later on in the 2021 season or even further down the road as it was this year. That is an improvement in and of itself.