The Steelers have two starter-caliber tackles, having drafted one of them (Broderick Jones) in last year’s first round. But the team did not replace February cap casualty Mason Cole. Center sits as an obvious need for Pittsburgh.
Linked to wanting to come away from the draft with center and tackle additions, the Steelers brought 11 offensive linemen in on “30” visits. One of them is generating significant interest as the draft nears. Some in the building view Duke prospect Graham Barton as a “generational”-type player, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.
Although Barton spent the past three seasons as the Blue Devils’ starting left tackle, he played center as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound blocker is expected to return to center to start his pro career, and the Steelers appear a live candidate to select the former Duke mainstay at No. 20. This would be an interesting choice, with Barton having just five starts at center while in college. But he sits 22nd on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board; teams also have regularly converted tackles to inside players at the sport’s top level.
Cole started every Steelers game at center over the past two seasons, coming in after the team did not like former third-rounder Kendrick Green‘s progress. The Steelers could shift James Daniels back to center, where he spent some time in Chicago, but it does not appear that is the preferred option.
This draft is flooded with tackle prospects, with Jeremiah’s big board including seven in the top 25. With tackle a more valuable position, the Steelers passing on options at that spot to fill a need stands to generate a healthy debate in their war room — depending on which tackles the team likes and how the board looks at 20, barring a trade-up maneuver. The Cowboys, who sit at No. 24, are also interested in Barton.
Additionally, the Steelers do appear to be planning to switch Jones from right to left tackle. Earlier this offseason, Dulac predicted Jones — Georgia’s left tackle in 2022 — would move to the blindside post after spending most of his rookie year at RT. The veteran reporter adds the Steelers could prioritize a right tackle due to a desire to shift Jones to the left side. Dan Moore has operated as the Steelers’ LT starter for three seasons, but he is going into a contract year. Pro Football Focus has also continually given the former fourth-round pick low marks, though teams obviously do not use that as a surefire measuring tool.
Pittsburgh has Daniels, Jones and Isaac Seumalo entrenched as starters, and Moore has proven durable during his career. But two new blockers may be en route early in this draft. As Russell Wilson (or perhaps Justin Fields) prepares to take over, the Steelers’ line could certainly be upgraded from 2023.
It would be difficult to draft Barton if Latham or Fuaga were still available. We shall see I suppose.
I doubt either of those guys will be on the board at 20. I wonder if the Steelers would go Mims and make it a second straight year of taking a Georgia tackle with great tools and limited experience.
I think Barton will be really good, but it’s hard to take an interior lineman over a tackle if the latter is good.
Problem with Mims is that he’s likely a year off at least until he moves into a starting spot. He’s a big guy but really needs to learn technique. A lot of scout-types say he’s a stud in the making. That’s great but if they’re all in for this season, not sure if it makes sense
And yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the pick and Penn State’s center is their guy in round 2
What’s really strange here is that they have two huge needs in center and wide receiver. They had one helluva off season but how does the offense progress to being a contender without those two spots being addressed, let alone tackle, D-lineman and slot corner?
Surprised they haven’t signed or traded for a stud receiver. Maybe they still will, but at what cost?
Yeah, Mims is a funny case. He’s actually played well when he’s played, so it’s not like he’s totally raw. And he’s an incredible athlete/specimen. But you have to take a little pause with someone who’s played so little. I could see Pittsburgh taking him, easing him in gradually, and then cutting Moore loose next offseason, kinda like what they did with Jones this past year.
Most mock drafts have them both gone by 20, unless they want to trade up. Some have them drafting at another position, which seems crazy.
Steelers have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds. Best case scenario they come away with a C, T, and WR with 3 of the four picks and the fourth being a defensive player, most likely a corner.
My long shot hope though is they land Byron Murphy in the first round to pair with Keanu Benton to anchor the D-line while Watt and Highsmith are signed long term. I feel like long term Benton would be very successful as an Aaron Smith type of DE in a 3-4 defense where he just holds the point of attack every play so teams can’t run to his side and gives the OLB’s cleaner rushes in passing situations. Added benefit of Murphy and Benton both playing and learning from Cam Heyward the last couple years of his career.
The Steelers are a high end to elite team when they have HOF caliber centers and mediocre when they don’t.
What’s the overlap between the years they’ve had HOF caliber centers and when they’ve had a HOF caliber QB who isn’t way over the hill?
I think that is conflation. In their last two SB runs they had Hartwig, a zero time pro bowler or all pro, and Jeff Hartings a two time pro bowler, 1 time 2nd team all pro, and 1 time first team all pro. Neither are HOF level players.
With Pouncey who is a HOF level player they won a lot, but also was a part of the teams where they couldn’t finish. I don’t think they won because of him. I think he played a part, sure, but not the key factor.
I said high and elite rather than championship for a reason.
But I disagree that those centers weren’t a big part of their success, an elite center adds so much that goes unappreciated to a team’s overall play.
Just as with catcher in baseball, I’m a big believer in trying to find great when everyone else settles for average. At the center (and safety) position, the Steelers have long embraced that notion.
I find it hard not to cringe when people who know little about football start tossing around that “generational talent” hype.
Well, the article says “some in the building”. The people in the building usually are involved in the team and probably know quite a bit about football.
I think it is great to get on record and be opinionated about players whether you’re involved in football or just a fan.