The Pittsburgh Steelers did well to address some of their needs during the first week of free agency. They added a receiver, a running back, a couple of secondary players, and some depth pieces on the offensive and defensive lines. Thus, they don’t have as many major needs at the 21st overall pick in the first round anymore.
But the roster isn’t perfect. And if there’s one spot they need the most help at, it might be at left guard. Whether it’s that specific position or anywhere on the offensive line, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would spend the Steelers’ first-round pick on that unit.
“Now you really need one, with Isaac leaving. Like, always…bolster your line. I would get the best interior lineman, or lineman period… I’m sticking with my guns, I’m going line with my first pick,” Roethlisberger said Tuesday on his Footbahlin podcast. “We went and got Dean from Tampa, at corner, great. I believe we re-signed Asante Samuel Jr., right? Great. Now you don’t have to draft a corner in the first round. That’s off the board… I don’t see how you do anything else besides line in the first round.”
Losing Isaac Seumalo hurts. The Arizona Cardinals paid him well, but his veteran presence will be missed on a young line in Pittsburgh. But the right side of it feels secure, and Zach Frazier, of course, brings comfort at center.
Yet, the left side is a little more up in the air. The Steelers are reportedly content with Spencer Anderson starting at left guard, but that’s not certainly true. At left tackle, Broderick Jones is recovering from a serious neck injury, and his replacement, Dylan Cook, played well in a small sample size. That side of the line isn’t a massive worry, but it would make sense for the Steelers to add to it through the draft, even in the first round.
After last week, it makes more sense. As Roethlisberger mentioned, the Steelers added a few cornerbacks and safeties. They signed DL Sebastian Joseph-Day and added a receiver and running back. Several of those positions would have made sense in the first round, but aren’t pressing needs anymore.
The Steelers also have five picks in the top 99. They could take a lineman in the first round and still use their second- or third-round pick on a position like receiver or cornerback, which are deep in this draft.
That’s what Roethlisberger thinks the Steelers should do in the first round, at least. And it makes some sense. It’s hard not to think of someone like Olaivavega Ioane fitting in with the rest of the Steelers’ young line. If they like their value at the 21st pick, it’s never bad to add some extra depth on the offensive line.
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