With July officially here, I will be taking the time to rank the Steelers roster by positional group before training camp gets underway. The ultimate goal will be to create a ranked list of every play on the roster before camp gets started.
The rankings will be a mix of criteria. Mainly, I am looking at what players will put the Steelers in the best position to win this year. While long-term potential is considered, I care less about what a player can provide in 2025 as opposed to what they can do for the team this year.
For rookies, their level of pro-readiness will be taken into account as well as their projection on the roster. We are continuing with the offensive line today, a group that finally seems to be rebuilt.
Steelers fifteen offensive linemen ranked
15. Tyler Beach
While Wisconsin is seen as a powerhouse for offensive linemen, I’m not sure Tyler Beach will be a success story. His lack of length will force him to the inside, an area of the line that is already deep, and while he is a decent athlete, there is too much projection with him to think that he will crack the roster. In terms of impact this season, it seems like Beach has the worst odds for this team.
14. Ryan McCollum
Ryan McCollum was a savvy sleeper roster pick from a few years ago given his experience in Detroit and the Steelers' lack of center options. Now, with that room deep and McCollum lacking position flexibility, he seems like a longshot to get anywhere close to the roster. This team has other backup center options with more upside and position flexibility.
13. Joey Fisher
Joey Fisher had some intriguing tape from Shepard and tested as a good athlete. The issue comes down to his position. He is best suited as a guard, and as stated, the interior of this line is extremely deep. Given his traits, he could make the practice squad, but anything more than that seems nearly impossible.
12. Devery Hamilton
Devery Hamilton has everything you want in a potential backup tackle. He has great size, is a decent athlete, and even has some experience with the Giants from 2022. He is a raw player who needs to refine his craft though. He seems like a practice squad at the best candidate.
11. Anderson Hardy
The last of the long shots, Anderson Hardy is an interesting name. A tackle in college, he tested as a great athlete and was seeing a lot of snaps at center with the Chiefs. He can seemingly play all five spots at this point, and that flexibility could help him as a sleeper. I like his odds of sticking around on the practice squad.
10. Dylan Cook
The Steelers have some good offensive line depth this year, and all ten of the top names could realistically make the roster. Dylan Cook has the longest odds though. He is a natural tackle which gives him some value, but he has yet to find his footing in the NFL. Another great camp will give him a good shot at cracking the roster again, but his spot is far from secure.
9. Mason McCormick
As a fourth-round pick, Mason McCormick would have to look horrible in order to not make the team. That said, you can pencil him in as a weekly inactive for now. Long-term he should be great depth along the interior and he could even start at guard, but don’t expect much impact from his rookie season.
8. Spencer Anderson
I like Spencer Anderson over Cook because of his versatility. While the Steelers have told him that he will be playing guard this year, he also took snaps at tackle and center in camp last year. While McCormick is the safer bet for the roster, Anderson has the clearer path to getting a helmet and playing if need be.
7. Nate Herbig
While Nate Herbig may open training camp as the starting center, he will more than likely revert back to his top interior depth role. He won’t see snaps unless there is an injury, but the moment an interior lineman has to miss time, he will step in. He proved himself to be good depth last year and I expect a similar output from him this year.
6. Dan Moore
Fans love to hate on Dan Moore, but as a former fourth-round pick he has been a success story. His time as the starter appears over though given the back-to-back investments in tackles. That said, he should be the first tackle off the bench and see work as a tackle-eligible. Don’t discount him starting for the first few weeks either, as this team won’t hand their young tackles the starting role.
5. Troy Fautanu
We are on to our starting five, and the player who I see making the least impact this season is Troy Fautanu. While an experienced starting college tackle, he is shifting sides. His lack of height is also concerning to me. Long-term I expect him to be a fine player (although I still think guard is his best spot) but expect some growing pains in his rookie year.
4. Broderick Jones
I almost put Fautanu ahead of Broderick Jones given his experience, but I’ll bank on the traits in Jones propelling him to a better sophomore season. That said, his rookie season wasn’t particularly strong and his pass blocking was mediocre. He gets to settle back into his natural left tackle spot, and, hopefully, grow from his rookie season.
3. Zach Frazier
Putting a rookie so high on this list seems wrong, as there is typically a learning curve once you enter the NFL. Centers have a quicker transition though, and Zach Frazier is as experienced as they come. I expect him to start right away and won’t be shocked to see him move up the center rankings given his steady play.
2. James Daniels
The top two spots can be determined with a coin flip, as the Steelers' guards are the strength of this team. Ultimately, I think James Daniels isn’t a perfect fit for Arthur Smith’s offense even if I think he is the better player overall. I’m excited to see the interior of this line though, although I wish Pittsburgh would work out a deal for Daniels this year.
1. Isaac Seumalo
Isaac Seumalo gets the slight nod as the top offensive lineman due to his fit in Smith’s scheme. Slightly older, Seumalo proved to be one of the stronger additions to this roster in recent memory. I expect him to pick up where he left off and continue to serve as the Steelers' best offensive lineman.
After what felt like eons, the Steelers finally have a strong offensive line. Their starters look like highlights for the offense and the depth isn’t shabby behind them. This should help yield a better-rushing attack and keep the offense moving this year as opposed to years past.