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A foolproof plan for Steelers to improve the OL in 2023

By Andrew Falce

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76), guard James Daniels (78), center Mason Cole (61), guard Kevin Dotson (69), offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76), guard James Daniels (78), center Mason Cole (61), guard Kevin Dotson (69), offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Steelers have a lot of work to do this offseason, and here is a foolproof plan to fix this offensive line.

The Steelers season was a net disappointment, as the team struggled for most of the season. Even when Pittsburgh was winning, a lot of the same issues were still plaguing them. While many fans claimed the offensive line was the biggest issue (it wasn’t), this is a unit that is long overdue for some quality talent.

Because of this, I have decided to create a foolproof plan that, if followed, will turn this unit into a strength. No, the team isn’t going to sign every big-name free agent on the market and use their top three picks on different linemen. There are too many needs on this team right now. That said, there are some obvious steps the team can and should take to see this line improve in 2023.

Assessing the current Steelers roster

The Steelers line beat expectations in 2023. After a bad preseason, it looked like this group was going to be an absolute train wreck. Credit to Pat Myer for getting some respectable play out of this unit last season.

That said, there are only two players I view as safe. James Daniels was the Steelers best lineman last season, even if his play was less stellar than I had anticipated it. Still extremely young, it looks like Daniels initially struggled to learn the Myer system. I expect better play in 2023 and am comfortable keeping him as my building block along the interior.

Mason Cole, a fellow free agent from last year, is also safe. There is a really weird portion of the fanbase that treats him like a liability. Is Cole a dominant player? No, but he was consistently above average. He can also play anywhere along the interior, which gives this team flexibility. I don’t want him as my starting center/guard long-term, but he is fine to have around for another season.

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