PFF: Steelers Offensive Line One of NFL’s Most Improved Units
The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line looks like a uni that might make a significant jump by the time the season ends in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed the trenches with three offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft. Center Zach Frazier is expected to be plug-and-play, and first-round pick Troy Fautanu will likely also start along the offensive line.
It’s clear that the Steelers want to build their identity around the offensive line.
“We just wanna roll people, man, to be honest with you guys,” Tomlin said in an interview with NFL Network during the draft. “We have some backs that we like. We have a good offensive line. We took Broderick Jones a year ago. This draft pool or class we thought was really loaded with some top-end offensive line talent and we just wanted to draw from that well.”
And Pro Football Focus loves it. In fact, they believe it could be one of the most improved units across the NFL after the NFL Draft, which could signal a significant leap.
The most improved offensive lines after the draft, per @PFF_Gordon pic.twitter.com/lobJl4CndW
— PFF (@PFF) May 4, 2024
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick thinks Fautanu, Frazier and fourth-round pick Mason McCormick out of South Dakota State will bring a different dimension to the offensive line.
“This offensive line, let me start there. You see this offensive line being rebuilt. Mike Tomlin told me last year, he said, ‘Look, we need more bullies to go along with Broderick Jones.’ So what did they go out and do? They got three of them. They got three bullies: Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. These young cats are nasty.“Now you think about that combined with their running back room with Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris,” https://twitter.com/matthewluciow92/status/1785722277448892828″>Riddick
said on First Take.
Riddick believes the success of the Steelers’ 2024 campaign will depend heavily on the O-line.
“The offensive line leads the way,” Riddick said. “The youth leads the way.”
The Steelers still have room to improve their wide receiver corps, which could be in the works with general manager Omar Khan, but it’s hard to deny that Russell Wilson or Justin Fields have a solid supporting cast around them. NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger thinks this is the best offensive line Wilson has ever had.
“I think it’s gonna be the best offensive line by far that Russell Wilson has played behind, probably ever, once this group really begins to gel and come together. I think that’s gonna help him. He’s always been a guy that wanted to move, that because of his size and height, he’s always had to find the openings in order to make these throws,” Baldinger said on 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show.
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