3 takeaways from the Steelers first three draft choices

What Offensive line Problems

With fans screaming, the sky was falling with Pouncey’s retirement and Villanueva not returning; no one would have questioned a center or tackle with their first selection. Landon Dickerson, Creed Humphry, and Jalen Mayfield all remained on the board. The Steelers, it seems, had no worries about their offensive line. Despite Pouncey’s retirement, the Steelers did have J.C. Hassenauer on the roster. The falcons signed Hassenauer in 2018 as an undrafted free agent from Alabama. He later signed with the Steelers in December of 2019. He played for the Steelers in almost every game in 2020. The Steelers must like what they have with Hassenauer, as the Steelers waited till the third round to Draft Kendrick Green, a versatile athlete the can play guard and center.

Frankly, the Steelers felt they could meet their needs with a 3rd rounder, with a cheaper price tag. In part, because aside from Hassenauer, the Steelers also signed free agent B.J. Finney who played for the Steelers from 2016-2019. He can play guard and center as well. Then the Steelers signed Joe Haeg, the five-year veteran from Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, to play tackle.

The Steelers will also have Jarron Jones, Chuckwuma Okorafor, Zach Banner, Avainte Collins, Anthony Coyle, John Legule, Brandon Walton, and a 4th round draft selection Dan Moore Jr. They may not be household names but, the Steelers feel they are all capable of handling blocking duties. If the Steelers have done one thing since Chuck Noll’s days, they have always found high value in later-round draft selections. So no one should worry the Steelers offensive line will be fine this season.