The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line was one of the worst units in the NFL this past season. Here are five players who would be welcome additions to the line in 2022.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have something this offseason that fans have rarely seen them have over the past 20 years: significant cap space. Not only should they have the money to retain key free agents and extend star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they will be able to target some of the higher-profile free agents if they so choose.
Plenty of rumors will be swirling about who the Steelers may be looking to add in free agency later this spring, likely centered around replacing the retiring Ben Roethlisberger. Other key players like Joe Haden and Juju Smith-Schuster may also need to be replaced, but the Steelers priorities need to be focused on the trenches.
The Steelers offensive line this season was…offensive (pun intended). Between rookies being forced into starting roles (Dan Moore, Kendrick Greene), disappointing veterans (Trai Turner, Chukwuma Okorafor), and injuries (Zach Banner, Kevin Dotson), the line lacked the talent and the cohesion needed to have a quality unit. While I don’t think every spot needs revamped, bringing in competition for most of the current starters would be the right thing to do.
It was difficult to watch a franchise with such a proud history of physically dominating its opponents’ struggle to even give the offense a chance at success, but this year’s free-agent class of lineman has plenty to offer. Let’s start off with the biggest potential fish in a sea of quality offensive lineman available this free agency.
Terron Armstead, Steelers position fit: LT
Terron Armstead has been one of the league’s best tackles since being drafted in the 3rd round (75th overall) by the Saints in 2013, being selected to 3 pro bowls and helping keep Drew Brees clean during some of his best seasons in New Orleans. He is especially great in pass protection, where few players have his combination of size and athleticism. His run blocking has never been elite, but it’s plenty good enough for a left tackle as excellent as he is as a pass blocker.
The only real red flag for the Steelers to worry about with Armstead is his extensive injury history. Through 9 seasons so far in his career, he has yet to play all 16 (now 17) games, including missing 9 games this season with multiple injuries.
Armstead’s expected price tag may also be too rich even for Pittsburgh despite their bevy of cap space. He is projected to command north of $20 million according to Spotrac, although his injury history likely will dampen his market a bit.
Overall, I think Armstead could be worth the risk for the Steelers. Dan Moore played admirably as a rookie, but he would have time to either sit and continue developing or compete for the right tackle spot while Armstead handles the blindside. I don’t expect Pittsburgh to spend big money on a tackle, but if they do they should go for broke and target him.
Brandon Scherff, Steelers position fit: RG
Brandon Scherff has been one of the better all-around guards in the NFL since being selected 5th overall in the 2015 NFL draft by Washington. His resume includes 5 pro bowl selections and a 1st-team All-Pro nod in 2020, and his value to Washington has led to them franchise tagging him each of the past two seasons. Just like with Kirk Cousins a few years ago, a 3rd tag is likely out of the question.
Washington is likely to try and retain him on a longer deal, but he will not lack suitors. His only major concern is his recent injury history: he has missed 22 games over the past 4 seasons, 6 of which came in 2021. Despite the injuries, his level of play hasn’t dropped off and he is the most accomplished guard available in free agency by a good margin.
Scherff would be a huge upgrade over the declining Trai Turner, and he would be great for whoever is starting at right tackle next season. He is likely the best player that the Steelers would be willing to pay market value for, but I have a feeling it will take more than the estimated $12.7 million per season Spotrac has listed. If he can be had for around $15 million or less on a 3-year deal, Pittsburgh should pull the trigger.
Unfortunately for the Steelers and any other teams hoping to sign him, his comments recently indicate Washington can have him if they want him. That doesn’t mean Washington will pay up to keep him, but the ball is in their court. If they don’t offer him a fair deal, he should be the first player Pittsburgh reaches out to once free agency opens.
Laken Tomlinson, Steelers position fit: RG
Laken Tomlinson didn’t have the best start to his career after the Detroit Lions selected him 28th overall in the 2015 NFL draft, but all he needed was a change of scenery. After largely struggling his first two seasons, Detroit traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2019 5th round pick. Since then, he has started all but one game and established himself as one of the better run blockers at his position. His pass blocking isn’t elite, but he is far from a liability.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan recognized Tomlinson’s value in his zone-heavy rushing offense, and it helped get his career back on track. He signed a modest 3-year, $16.5 million deal that runs out this offseason, and he could be looking at nearly doubling his average yearly salary. San Francisco would be wise to try and retain him, but with left tackle Trent Williams ($23.1 million) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey ($10.8 million on his 5th-year option in 2022) commanding big money, paying a third lineman over $10 million a year may not be in the cards.
If Tomlinson does make it to free agency, he would be a great consolation prize for the Steelers if they miss out on Scherff. He has essentially no past injury concerns except for a torn MCL that he did not miss any time with, making him a lower risk signing as well. There is a chance he may not be quite as good outside of Shanahan’s scheme, but he would still be a significant upgrade over what Pittsburgh currently is working with.
Scherff is still the best player that Pittsburgh has a shot at bringing in, but Tomlinson could be the better value if he can sustain his level of play.
James Daniels, Steelers position fit: G, C
James Daniels is an example of a player whose versatility may have been more of a curse than a blessing. Drafted as a center out of Iowa 39th overall in the 2018 draft by the Chicago Bears, he has started more games at both guard spots than he has his college position. That versatility made him a valuable piece of the Bears offensive line the past four seasons, but not getting consistent playing time at one spot was hurting his development.
He seemed to find a home as the team’s left guard during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but a pectoral injury ended his 2020 season just five games in. Now healthy, the Bears decided his permanent spot for 2021 would be the right guard position. He responded by having his best overall season while starting all 17 games, and it has primed him for a substantial contract this free agency.
Not only is he coming off a career season, but he has an advantage over most of his fellow lineman this offseason: age. Daniels was the 2nd youngest player in his 2018 draft class behind Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and he won’t turn 25 until the beginning of next season.
Daniels’ best football is very likely ahead of him, something you can’t say about the other players discussed so far. Combine that with him likely commanding the lowest salary of the bunch depending on how his market plays out, and you have the perfect scenario for hitting big in free agency. His versatility is still a plus as well despite him settling in at right guard, especially if injuries were to pop up.
Trent Brown, Steelers position fit: RT
Trent Brown has had quite the NFL journey since being drafted in the 7th round (244th overall) by the SanFrancisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL draft. He was known more for his size than his ability to play at that time, standing at a thunderous 6-foot-8, 355 lb at the combine. He played sparingly his rookie season, but he would start all 26 games he played in his 2nd and 3rd seasons.
He would then be traded to the New England Patriots to be their new left tackle, winning a Super Bowl during the 2018 season. For his efforts, the then Oakland Raiders swooped in to make him the highest-paid OL in the league at the time. His play during his 2019 season earned him his only career pro bowl nod, but he would struggle with injuries during his two years with the Raiders. He was traded back to New England last offseason, where his contract was restructured to make him a free agent this offseason.
Brown has certainly had his ups and downs, but he has been a quality tackle on both the right and left side when healthy over the past 6 seasons. His ability to play both tackle spots make him the perfect piece for a Steelers team that has questions about their starters on both sides.
Ideally he replaces Chukwuma Okorafor as the team’s right tackle, but if Pittsburgh resigns him he could fill whichever spot is available. A short deal with incentives for playing time/accolades could be a great fit for both sides. Brown could re-enter free agency at just over 30 years old, and Pittsburgh gets a stabilizing force for one of their tackle spots.
Overall, the Steelers should have plenty of options if they want to address the offensive line in free agency. There are plenty of quality players I didn’t even cover here, so there should be no excuse to not come away with at least one new starter. Combined with a likely early draft pick, the offensive line could be on its way back to prominence.