Steelers Try Out former Ravens Lineman

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting offensive lineman Brandon Kipper for a workout on Monday, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of KRPC Houston.

Kipper is a 6-foot-5, 326-pound tackle and guard from Oregon State. He originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but was released on July 27, just before the start of Baltimore training camp, after the Ravens had signed former Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet.

A Caldwell, Idaho native, Kipper originally attended Hawaii before transferring to Oregon State in 2018. He started as a right tackle as a redshirt sophomore in 2019. He stayed there until his redshirt senior season of 2021, when he was named an All-Pac 12 selection for the first time in his career and was part of an offensive line that was named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award.

Granted an extra season of eligibility due to COVID-19, Kipper returned to Corvallis, Oregon in 2022, and made the move from right tackle to right guard, where he was once again an All-Pac 12 selection.

According to Pro Football Focus, Kipper posted excellent run blocking grades, with an 84.9 at right tackle in 2021 and a 77 at right guard in 2022. His pass blocking numbers improved from abysmal marks early in his career to just average by the end. He had a 64.5 in 2021 and a 67.8 in 2022.

The Steelers have been playing with 14 offensive linemen since the team released tackle Jarrid Williams on July 30. It’s possible that the club could look to get back to three full unites before playing in it first preseason game this Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kipper’s versatility to shift between guard and tackle is also something that the Steelers don’t have with any other players on their roster.

The Steelers are off on Monday and frequently work players out in groups when the team is off during training camp, so Kipper may not be the only one coming in.