3 best options for Steelers to replace James Daniels after brutal Achilles injury

Well, the injuries continue to mount up on the Steelers' offensive line continues to grow. James Daniels will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury. It is tough news as Daniels was one of the most stable offensive linemen for Pittsburgh.

Daniels is a pending free agent, so that could affect his pay during the upcoming offseason. It is possible that this past game could have been his last in a Steelers uniform.

Another injury means another opportunity for a new player in the trenches for the black and gold. The hope is that Isaac Seumalo will return from his injury and ease the pain of having Daniels out of the lineup. Starters are dropping like flies along the offensive front, but the depth behind them continues to thin. There are options out there for Pittsburgh if they feel a need to upgrade.

Steelers have some obvious choices to replace James Daniels

Mason McCormick

Starting the list of replacements here with the obvious choice. Many expected Mason McCormick to start at right guard next season once James Daniels departed in free agency. He will be thrust into that role immediately, as long as Seumalo returns in Week 5. McCormick has shown some quality play during his rotational time with Spencer Anderson at left guard.

Keep Anderson's name circled as a potential option for the Steelers to replace Daniels as well. Both he and McCormick could rotate like they have been doing on the left side for the past several weeks.

McCormick should eventually end that rotation and win the starting job, at least that is what the coaches want to happen. He will get the first crack at holding this spot.

Matt Feiler

Maybe not for the starting job, unless Anderson and McCormick turn out to be disasters, but Matt Feiler is still out there. He has a ton of starting experience both at guard and tackle. He played for the Steelers years ago, so there is familiarity. They brought back John Leglue, so why wouldn't they consider Feiler? He remains a free agent and should be ready for his next opportunity in the NFL.

He last played in 2023 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He only started six games last year, but he has proven that he can be a backup and start when needed. Feiler might not be the same player he was when he started in Pittsburgh, but he is a savvy vet who can boost the offensive line. Signing this free agent would provide a starting option who could upgrade the depth at both guard positions.

Austin Corbett

Since the trade deadline is coming up on November 5, the Steelers could have some time to evaluate their current replacement options on the roster. If they feel neither McCormick nor Anderson is ready to be a starter long-term, they could search the trade market. There could be some quality guards who become available. The biggest hurdle would be solving the cap situation with any trade.

Austin Corbett is someone who was linked to the Steelers a couple of years ago when he was a free agent in 2021. He has been a steady force for an otherwise terrible offensive line with the Panthers. Corbett has started at both guard positions and most recently at center during his NFL career. Not only could Corbett boost the Steeler's starting guard spot, but he could also provide flexible depth.