Status of some Steelers starters in 2022 hinges on NFL Draft results

Steelers IOL Cole

Easily the worst of the Steelers outside free agent signings, Mason Cole has had one ok season so far in his career. The rest of his time as a pro has been full of mediocrity, yet he landed a healthy-sized three-year deal and will seemingly start at either center or guard this year. Expecting his play to jump seems like an unwise move.

Cole was the definition of a mediocre starter while with the Cardinals after he was drafted. He started two of the three seasons he was there and never really found his footing, as he never ranked higher than a 58.4 according to PFF (and that rating came in his season where he served mostly as the reserve). He was traded to the Vikings last season and his lay did take a step forward to some extent.

That all said, it isn’t like Cole was suddenly playing elite football. Heck, he only started seven games last year as he still struggled to earn starter reps. Could last year have been a sign of things to come? It is possible, but expecting him to be anything more than an average starter seems unwise. That said, the Steelers haven’t shown much interest in the top interior options in the draft, so expect Cole to be the starter next year.