Is Pittsburgh’s overhaul of their offensive line complete?

The 2024 NFL Draft clearly highlighted the mission of the Pittsburgh Steelers front office: add as much talent and depth to the offensive line as possible. Pittsburgh used three of their first five picks to address the offensive line, taking OT Troy Fautanu at 20th overall in the first round and following up that selection by taking their projected starter at center in Zach Frazier at 51st overall in the second round. Pittsburgh moved 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.

Entering the 2024 season, Pittsburgh appears to have completed the overhaul of their offensive line they began in 2022 after signing RG James Daniels three years ago, while signing LG Isaac Seumalo and RT Broderick Jones this past offseason. Frazier should slide right into the team’s starting center spot, while Fautanu likely replaces incumbent starter Dan Moore Jr. will pass at left tackle sometime during his rookie season.

Still, you have to wonder if this projected unit can play together for more than one full season, or if they might have to continue working to retool this unit beyond the 2024 season. Daniels is an upcoming free agent after this season as well as backup IOL Nate Herbig, meaning one or both could enter free agency. The team just drafted McCormick, who has extensive starting experience at the college level and could figuratively serve as a potential starter to replace Daniels down the road, something GM Omar Khan mentioned when talking about McCormick’s selection after the draft.

Right now, Pittsburgh has the best combination of both talent and depth along the offensive line they’ve had in years since the days of Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, using both the draft and free agency to strengthen their offensive front. Pittsburgh’s level of investment in their offensive line has been notable over the past three seasons, signing two free agents in Daniels and Seumalo to deals worth more than $8 million per year, as well as two first-round picks and one second-round pick round in Jones, Fautanu. and Frazier, respectively. This team’s goal should be to keep this unit together, and depending on Daniels’ asking price when his contract expires and whether he can return to his 2022 form, Pittsburgh should be inclined to bring him back and let McCormick steps into Herbig’s role in his second NFL season.

We’ll see how quickly Fautanu can overtake Moore as the starter, potentially having a chance to win the job right out of training camp but more likely overtaking him at some point during the season if Moore starts to struggle . If and when he is inserted into the lineup, it will be telling to see how quickly this unit can come together and hit their pass blocking for RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the running game and protect QB Russell Wilson in the pocket. If this unit were to live up to expectations, it would be hard not to think that Pittsburgh’s offensive line overhaul would be complete depending on whether they choose to retain Daniels beyond the 2024 season.