The Pittsburgh Steelers rebuilding their offensive line and finding another tackle will be high on the to-do list this offseason.
The Steelers head into the offseason with a bunch of holes across their offensive line. The tackle spots have some question marks on both sides. Dan Moore Jr. completed his rookie season with promising improvement but there will be a vacancy at the right tackle spot.
Moore seems to be the current and future answer on the blindside for the black and gold trenches. Chuks Okorafor has not been able to develop and will likely leave the team via free agency in 2022. The need to find a starter for the other tackle spot is going to be a huge gap to fill.
This team will look to upgrade the positions and create a solid complementary piece on the opposite side of Moore. If they could find a better left tackle and slide Moore to the right side, then that would be another welcomed addition. This offensive line rebuild could take some time depending on their success with replacements.
Honorable Mentions
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning is a player that many haven’t heard of and broke onto the scene in 2021. He is from a small program, Northern Iowa, but his frame is what every NFL team is looking for in a starting tackle. He is a big guy that plays physically in every aspect of the game.
That nasty physicality is the name of the game for this player and something that the Steelers have said they’re looking for. He is a solid athlete for such a big prospect in this draft. He will go at some point in the later portions of the first round, potentially to the black and gold.
Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Bernhard Raimann hails from Austria and hasn’t been playing football for too long. His raw athleticism and abilities are what are bringing teams interest in this prospect. He has all the potential to become the next big player at the tackle position.
This prospect is raw so it will take some time to develop him into a solid player in this league. He has the size and attributes that will make him a first-round selection in the draft. Potential and patience will be the two things that a team will need to accept when they select this player.
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Charles Cross will be one of the top-tier left tackles in this upcoming event in late April. He is a lock in the first round and will be selected in the top 20. His size and athletic ability will allow him to match up well against some of the NFL’s top pass rushers.
The Steelers would love to land a tackle like Cross. Having him go against some quality pass rushers in the AFC North week in and week out will help the cause not only for his growth but it will also strengthen the offensive line. This prospect would be a highly valued selection at the 20th overall pick.
Another amazing attribute that this player brings is his youth. He won’t turn 22 until late November. Pittsburgh always likes that option with their selections so they can help them develop further. Cross is not a finished product but he is currently a day one starter for this club.
The biggest knock on this prospect is the strength isn’t where most scouts would like it to be. That can be fixed as time goes on, his youth gives him a chance to fix this concern that many have about him. His current status and potential to develop into a better player will have him selected in the top 20 of the draft.
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Ikem Ekwonu would be the best option for the Steelers to draft out of the tackle prospects available. Unfortunately for them, this player will be long gone by the time they pick. He would fit the bill perfectly for a tough and physical player that isn’t afraid to throw his face into the fire of competition.
He is a tough and physical big man that attacks the point of attack the best out of any prospect available. That allowed him to take a giant step forward in 2021 and catch the eyes of many NFL teams. He has been a starter at the left side since his freshman year at NC State and never looked back.
He brings youth, an instant impact player in the offensive trenches, and a great ability to grow into something better. Ekwonu is still a prospect with immense upside going forward. He needs to work on things as his career progresses to the next level but those are all teachable.
His aggressiveness is his biggest asset and deterrent heading into the NFL. He will get beat sometimes with his over-aggressive nature and that could lead to him losing blocks. Those are all teachable and this player is a great option for any team in the top 15 choices of the draft.
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Evan Neal is the consensus best overall prospect at tackle in the 2022 NFL draft. He is what every team is looking for when a prospect comes out of college. His massive frame will make for a challenge against any defenders that goes up against him.
This player has the size, technique, and smarts to make a great career in the NFL. He is someone that could go first overall when the draft selection begins with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the clock. The Steelers would love this player but he will never make it close to Pittsburgh besides when he plays against them.
Another interesting wrinkle that this player brings with him is his dual option ability. He has played both sides of the tackle spots during his time at Alabama and that will be another huge asset for him. The team that takes him will have to determine which side they think he should stick at.
Another great thing that this player brings with his great abilities, is the youth aspect. Neal is coming out of college after his Junior year and that will also entice the top picks of the draft to take him as well. This giant mauler will go at some point in the top five but he will have a great shot at having his name called first.
The Steelers have a great chance at selecting a good tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. This batch is solid with some great talents at the top of the group.