The Steelers offensive line in 2023 was pretty decent, allowing the ninth-least sacks in the NFL and ranking as the 13th-best rushing offense. Still, Pittsburgh opted to make a number of moves towards an upgrade on their offensive front for the 2024 season. In fact, the Steelers utilized their first two draft picks (and three of seven) this year on linemen, and all three could be in line to start as rookies. 
The only position that lost a starter on the line this year was center. The team watched their starter of the last two seasons, Mason Cole, depart in free agency. Cole graded out as the league’s 29th-best center out of 36 graded players at the position last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). They have a couple options to replace Cole, including veteran Nate Herbig. Herbig hasn’t played center much at the college or NFL level, but he has versatile experience all over the line and could be utilized there in a pinch. The favorite to start, though, is the second-round rookie out of West Virginia, Zach Frazier.
At guard things are a bit more interesting. Like Frazier, fourth-round rookie guard out of South Dakota State Mason McCormick is currently slotted to start on the depth chart of the team’s website. McCormick is listed as the starting left guard, presumably because that’s the only position he played in college. The team’s returning left guard, Isaac Seumalo, graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman in 2023, though, per PFF. So, unless the team benches their top returning lineman, Seumalo or McCormick will need to move over to the right side to compete with James Daniels. Seumalo has experience starting at right guard in the past, so it makes the most sense to move him over.
At tackle, the Steelers utilized their first-round pick to bring in Washington lineman Troy Fautanu. Many projected Fautanu’s skillset to fit best at guard or center at the NFL-level, though he spent most of his time at tackle during college in Seattle. Pittsburgh believes that he has the ability to stay at tackle and start in the NFL. Pundits predict that last year’s rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones will remain at right tackle, where he played in 2023, putting Fautanu at left tackle to replace Dan Moore Jr. as the starter. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, though, Fautanu has spent the first three days of organized team activities at right tackle behind Jones.
Kaboly doesn’t think Fautanu will stay as the backup at right tackle, though. More likely, with OTAs serving as the ideal time to mold and learn. This experience is the perfect opportunity for Fautanu to learn both positions in the event that he may have to move over to the right side and fill in for an injured Jones. It’s not uncommon for offensive lineman to need time to develop, but the Steelers likely didn’t use their first two draft picks on players they didn’t intend to start.
Things are still extremely early. The rookies are still finding their footing, and a number of camp battles are sure to ensue. The team even has plenty of time to sign a veteran free agent if they deem it necessary. Still, Pittsburgh has the potential to serve as a rare occasion in which we see three rookies starting across the offensive line.
We last saw that in 2020 when the Dolphins started Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt, and Solomon Kindley (their first-, second-, and fourth-round picks, respectively) as rookies. That Miami team improved their record from 5-11 the previous year to 10-6 despite the youth across the line. The Steelers may be hoping for a similar level of improvement.
All conjecture
Well, this sight is called “Pro Football RUMORS” for a reason. So, this “conjecture” that you speak of perfectly belongs on this site.
Dan Moore only plays left tackle but some people think he’d be an amazing left guard. He’s also a great guy
Who’s “some people”? Also, there’s a reason Fautanu and Jones were drafted in the first round and the latter has already proven why following his insertion to the starting lineup. If they regard Fautanu so highly, he should start immediately and Moore gets used a trade chip for a potential WR2 he’s upset about being the swing.
Watching Pittsburgh use those picks on Fautanu and Frazier felt like one of “nature is healing” moments.
The line was vastly improved last year, and Seumalo was a big reason why. You’d figure that McCormick, as the rookie, would be the pick to work on the right side instead.
Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, Daniels, Fautanu, with Herbig, McCormick, Moore as other possibilities? If Frazier and Fautanu are anything even approaching what I’ve read they can be, they start from Day 1.
On potential alone, best O-line they’ve had in… awhile. Seumalo and Daniels were the only quality parts last year; I think both are well above average. Cole was hideous, Moore wasn’t good, Okrafor wasn’t any better than Moore, and Jones was learning the right side on the fly.
Agreed. Still don’t know why Chicago let Daniels walk, to be honest. Maybe Unclemike can explain; I trust his opinion on the subject.
There isn’t much that Chicago has done in the past decade that makes much sense but as a Steelers fan I have a lot of gratitude for getting Daniels in free agency and turning Chase Claypool into Joey Porter Jr.
Frazier is working behind Herbig at C. McCormick is working behind Seumalo at LG and Spencer A. is behind Daniels on the right. Dan Moore insists that he can only play LT which Coach seemed to disagree, so for now Fautanu is penciled in at LT ahead of Moore. Broderick Jones says hold my beer I’ll play left, right, or both and for now is starting at RT.
To me the Fautanu and Frazier picks were necessary whereas the McCormick pick was a combination of the value being too good to pass up and having a succession plan for both Daniels and Seumalo nearing free agency. Ideally the Steelers are able to extend Daniels and let Seumalo walk since Daniels is significantly younger but either way I’d expect McCormick to be a depth piece this year assuming both guards stay healthy.
I’m already thinking that the 2025 draft will have the same philosophy where defensive line retooling is concerned if opposing running backs again find gaping holes for big runs this season. I can’t remember a time in which this has ever happened in the past 50 years…where opponent running games don’t consistently meet a steel curtain.
Adding Queen is going to help of course, as will Robert’s and the kid from NC State, but the young guys on D-line need to step it up this season
I’m certainly excited about Fautanu but I was hoping Byron Murphy was going to be available (and obviously the pick) to start building the D-line again so I’m with you on that. The second round pick seemed destined to be a center and Im happy it was Frazier. But it’s way too early to be too concerned about next draft, especially since WR and QB have to be in consideration for the first round.
I’m going to say this until week 1 but after all they did this off season, I find it hard to believe they’re not going to pull the trigger on a deal for a stud receiver
Even if the Steelers didn’t have a brutal schedule this season they are in no position to compete for the AFC North title with the big dogs. Smart move is to stick with the rebuild and give the young prospects a chance to gain experience and maturity.
Disagree. Any team in this division can compete for the crown as every game is a dogfight. Moving beyond that is where it becomes dicey
I still hold out hope they’re not done with trying to get a big time receiver to complement Pickens
Tomlin is a HOF bound coach but the deck really seems stacked against him this season.
Actually feel a great deal of optimism for Tomlin and team since Ben’s prime was well over
Every team in the division has question marks.
Don’t need to win a division title to win the Super Bowl. Jerome Bettis clutching the Lombardi trophy with tears running down his face on the field in his hometown of Detroit is proof of that.
I think it was Lemon himself who reminded me of the brutal 3 games in 10 days schedule all north teams have in December. Yeah, they end up by literally playing all division rivals twice but really, there aren’t many sure things in this league anymore
But your point is well taken. Just getting to the show is the big thing
@ jimmyz
You’re talking Steelers Super Bowl? My Bears are a lower odds for that…lol. How do you like the Pirates chances of winning the World Series?
That’s why they play the games, Lemon
Let’s revisit in January
I don’t really think or expect the Steelers to get to the Super Bowl but it wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up winning the AFC North.
In terms of the Pirates I think they have a better shot at sneaking into the playoffs as a wild card team than most people would give them. I’d say something like a 30% chance compared to the under 10% most people would give them. The national league is pretty top heavy with a lot of mediocrity in every division. Gotta assume whoever doesn’t win the east between the Phillies and Braves gets one spot but it’s a long season so I could see any of the Giants, Padres, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Cardinals or Pirates getting the other wild card depending on injuries, prolonged slumps from key players, trade deadline moves, etc.