Steelers Can't Put Any More Band-Aids at Center
The Steelers cannot move forward with Mason Cole. He was by far the worst offensive lineman on the team, which really says something with the degree to which Dan Moore Jr. struggled.
Since Maurkice Pouncey's retirement, the Steelers have failed to find a solution at a position that carries immense history for the franchise. Drafting Kendrick Green and plugging him in at center with Pouncey's number was an awful decision, amplified by his success in Houston at guard - his natural position. Cole has been inconsistent with snaps, has been no help in recognizing pressures and defensive alignments for Kenny Pickett, and has been bullrushed into his quarterbacks' laps more times than Steelers fans would care to acknowledge.
All the while, fans have watched as the Chiefs selected Creed Humphrey and the Ravens selected Tyler Linderbaum and both proved to be just as good as advertised.
Connor Williams, Andre James and Lloyd Cushenberry are notable names in free agency. Not the greatest batch to choose from if the Steelers go that route. Any of these options would be band-aids should the Steelers miss out on the top names in the draft.
Sedric Van Pran from Georgia and Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson are the draft prospects to keep an eye on. Until we see what the Steelers do in free agency, fans will quickly become familiar with their names as nearly and mock draft two rounds deep worth its salt will include a selection for one of these players to the Steelers.
The good news is that Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl take upgrading the trenches seriously, as evidenced by their moves in the 2023 offseason. Weidl helped the Philadelphia Eagles build one of the best trench groups on both sides of the football, and their efforts in drafting Broderick Jones, Keanu Benton and signing Isaac Seamalu helped confirm they know what they're doing.