Why Tyler Linderbaum may not be on Steelers draft radar this April

Tyler Linderbaum has the makings of a generational center prospect, but here’s why he may not be on the Pittsburgh Steelers draft radar in 2022.

Whether you are a casual fan of the NFL Draft or have been studying prospects in the 2022 class since last April, chances are you have probably come across the name Tyler Linerbaum.

For those who are unfamiliar, Linderbaum is a standout center prospect out of Iowa who many have dubbed as a generational interior offensive line prospect. Dating back to his 2020 season, it was easy to look forward and project him as a lock first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (and that’s exactly what he will be this April.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers struggled mightily along the offensive line in 2021, and they are in need of massive improvements at center, guard, and offensive tackle. Because of this, Linderbaum is not only a name that designates with Steelers, but he has been mocked to Pittsburgh on numerous occasions.

This physical, athletic center is an easy plug-and-play prospect who could give this team an immediate boost on the offensive line. Unfortunately, I have my doubts that Tyler Linberbaum will be in serious consideration for the Steelers when the 20th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft rolls around.

Steelers may not consider Linderbaum

Linderbaum is certainly a good enough prospect to be off the board before the Steelers are on the clock. However, the draft history when it comes to the center position tells us that there’s a good chance he will be there, as even elite center prospects usually slide to the back half of the first round.

Even knowing this could be the case, I doubt that Linderbaum is a serious prospect for Pittsburgh. The reasoning is sad but could prove to be true.

Just last year, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert passed on players like Landon Dickerson, Creed Humphrey, and Quinn Meinerz only to take Illinois offensive lineman, Kendrick Green, in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Obviously, his first year did not go according to plan.

Despite being a terrific athlete at the center position, I had my reservations about Green and worried that he wouldn’t be able to handle bull rushes against NFL defensive tackles. This proved to be the case exactly.

Green was humiliated at times when trying to anchor against bigger players, and his overall game was very sloppy. Regardless of his rookie struggles, I just can’t see the Steelers throwing the towel in on him after one season.

Where does Linderbaum come into play? I really think most NFL teams view Linderbaum as a center-only prospect due to his size (listed at 6’3”, 290 lbs). Recently, the Steelers have expressed that they don’t intend to undergo a positional change with Kendrick Green, and the team wants him to tough it out at center.

If this proves to be the case, we can almost cross off Tyler Linderbaum as a prospect this year. Though he is worlds better on the football field than Green, there’s a very good chance the Steelers view both of these guys as centers and they won’t be willing to give up on their third-round pick after one season.

I really like Tyler Linderbaum as a prospect, and if it were up to me, the Steelers should bite the bullet on Green and strongly consider Linderbaum at pick 20. However, despite Pittsburgh’s needs along the offensive line, I just don’t think they’ll seriously consider Linderbaum in the 2022 NFL Draft.