Coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft, the mission of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office was evident: add as much talent and depth to the offensive line as possible. Pittsburgh used three of its first five picks to address the offensive line, landing OT Troy Fautanu at 20th overall in the first round and taking their projected starter at center in Zach Frazier at 51st overall in the second round. Pittsburgh went back to the offensive line on Day 3 of the draft, selecting G Mason McCormick out of South Dakota State in the fourth round at 119th overall.
Going into the 2024 season, the Steelers appear to have finished the overhaul of their offensive line that they started back in 2022, having signed RG James Daniels three years ago while signing LG Isaac Seumalo and drafting RT Broderick Jones last offseason. Frazier should slide right into the team’s starting center spot while Fautanu will likely overtake incumbent starter Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle as some point during his rookie season.
Still, one must ask if this projected unit will be able to play more than one full season together, or if the Steelers may need to continue to retool this unit past the 2024 season. Daniels is a free agent after this season as well as reserve IOL Nate Herbig, meaning that one or both could walk in free agency. The team did just draft McCormick, who has extensive starting experience at the college level. He could factor in as a potential starter to replace Daniels down the line, which is something GM Omar Khan mentioned when talking about the selection of McCormick post-draft.
Right now, Pittsburgh has the best combination of both talent and depth along the offensive line that it has had since the days of Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, using both the draft and free agency to fortify its offensive front. The level of investment by the Steelers in their offensive line is notable over the last three seasons, signing two free agents in Daniels and Seumalo to deals worth $8-plus million annually as well as two first round picks and one second round pick in Jones, Fautanu, and Frazier. The goal of this team should be to keep this unit together. Depending on what Daniels’ asking price is when contract is up, if he can return to his 2022 form, Pittsburgh should be inclined to bring him back and let McCormick step into Herbig’s role in his second NFL season.
We’ll see how fast Fautanu is able to overtake Moore as a starter, potentially having the chance to win the job outright coming out of training camp but more likely overtaking him at some point during the season if Moore struggles. If and when he is inserted into the lineup, it will be telling to see how fast this unit can jell together and hit its stride blocking for RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as well as protecting QB Russell Wilson. Should this unit play to expectations, it would be hard not to think that the overhaul of offensive line would be complete, depending on if the Steelers choose to retain Daniels past the 2024 season.
