Ok draft fans.
We all know the Steelers rich tradition at the center position.
Some great ones
Webby, Dirt, the Ranger, Hartings, and Pouncey.
Some not great ones
Hartwig, Greene, and our current scrub Mason Cole
And then there is the center we SHOULD already have
ALL PRO Creed Humprhey (MUUUUUUUTH)
So dumb
Anyway, Until the next franchise qb is found (please lord don’t let it be another quarter century), I endorse the premise to build strong lines on both sides of the ball so said franchise qb isn’t walking into an unprotected wasteland of shit.
Coaching another layer of shit with Uncle Artie, Pat Meyer, and the attrition warlord that is Michael Pettaway Tomlin.
So the Steelers offensive line needs some building blocks.
MAYBE Broderick Jones is one.
Do you see any viable options at center this offseason that scream building block OR the Steelers’ next great one at center?
IDK but it’s a pretty damn important position.
The Steelers are kinda weak up the middle of their entire team.
Benton showed flashes, but only played 43% of the snaps.
Minkah’s health has fallen off a cliff.
Brick by brick my citizens
Let’s talk center options:
Free agency:
I’ve previously thrown out two names:
Lloyd Cushenberry – Broncos
Andre James- Raiders
- Neither a Jeff Hartings like free agent, but either would upgrade Cole until the next young stud Steeler center is found.
Others:
Tyler Biadasz- Cowboys- Steelers dig them some Badgers
Connor Williams Dolphins- Former Cowboy OG suffered late season ACL tear. Even on one leg he’s better than Mason Cole.
Aaron Brewer of the Titans might be a name Arthur knows from his days in glorious Nashville, TN
Kyren Williams of the Rams ran well behind a guy named Coleman Shelton (and yes, Kevin Dotson).
The Draft:
Assuming they ignore the free agent route, most of us appear in agreement that the Steelers will use a very early pick on a center.
Some names if you will:
Jackson Powers Johnson 6’3 334 Oregon-Big Bertha. Senior Bowl standout. Steelers have met with him
Zach Frazier 6’3 314 West Virginia- Sitting out Senior Bowl with fractured fibula. Dig the wrestling background. Steelers have met with him.
Sedrick Van Pran 6’4 310 Georgia- Skipped senior bowl. I’m assuming hes injured. Might be in for a slide.
Hunter Nourzad 6’3 314 Penn St- Former Ivy Leaguer dominated Shrine Week.
Now we’re getting into a tier that might need to develop behind a vet signing:
Beau Limmer 6’4 301 Arkansas- Saw him stymie big bad Trevondre Sweat on day 1. Then saw Sweat get his payback against ol Limmer on day 2. I’ll reluctantly watch day 3 later. NFL Network needs a major overhaul (ESPN taking it over???)
Tanor Bortolini 6’4 305 Wisconsin- Pisano pick for me. Yep. Steelers do so dig them some Badgers.
Charles Turner III 6’3 300 LSU- Saw him on a couple riser lists apparently moves well.
Andrew Raym 6’4 315 Oklahoma- Day 3 flier type could take after drafting his towering teammate rd 1.
Jalen Sundell 6’5 300 North Dakota St- No clue if he can play. I just root for the Dakotas and Montanas
Conversion Projects
Graham Barton 6’5 315 OT Duke – Dig him. BUT Do we trust Tomlin with another conversion project? Kendrick Greene turned out oh so well, but hey we still get to yell MUUUUUUUUTH! Fun times.
Dominic Puni 6’4 323 OT Kansas- Jayhawk dominated down in Mobile. Dig him too.
Christian Hayes 6’2 318 OG Uconn- Saw him get whipped by McKinnley Jackson more than once but kid is scrappy. Had helmet ripped off his head after battle with LSU’s Jordan Jefferson.
Christian Mahogany 6’3 322 OG Boston College- BC always churns out stud linemen. Big powerful dude dominated at both OG and OC Shrine Week
KT Leveston 6’5 330 OT Kansas St- BIG ‘sum bitch played some OC during Shrine week.
Mason McCormick 6’5 315 OG South Dakota St- “STOP WITH THE JACKRABBITS!” I can’t. I won’t.
Well, that’s all I have time for today. Please comment on the players you like and those you don’t. If I omitted someone y’all like whether a UFA or rookie stud by all means share.
