Steelers Draft Versatile Maryland Lineman in 7th Round

PITTSBURGH — With their final selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Maryland offensive lineman Spencer Anderson.

Anderson (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) is listed as a guard, but has played all five positions in college. He played the most at right tackle (1,083 snaps), but also had long stretches at right guard (733 snaps) and center (367 snaps). The 22-year-old played 42 games over four seasons with Maryland, and started each of the Terps’ 26 games over the last two seasons.

Anderson did not get invited to the 2023 NFL Combine, but put up 29 bench press reps at his pro day and also had an impressive for an offensive lineman athletic drills. He posted a 9-foot-5 broad jump and a 30.5-inch vertical jump.

The Steelers have taken significant steps to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, and Anderson seems like a versatile backup that could provide depth all along the line, and particularly at center, where the team lost backup center J.C. Hassenauer to free agency.

The Steelers have a long history of drafting Maryland players, especially in recent years since the team hired former Terps coach Matt Canada and Mike Tomlin’s son Dino Tomlin spent three seasons in College Park.

The Steelers drafted safety Antoine Brooks and running back Anthony McFarland from Maryland in 2020 and guard Derwin Gray in 2019.

Anderson is the second offensive line drafted by the Steelers this week, joining first-round tackle Broderick Jones.