Positional preview: Can the O-line realize its potential?

The Steeles want to run the football in 2024. They also need better quarterback play. All of that doesn't happen without the offensive line doing its job up front. 

After multiple offseasons dedicated to rebuilding the offensive line through free agency and the draft, the offensive line might be the best its been in a long while. But, there could very well be some growing pains at the beginning.

Welcome to the fourth edition of our 2024 positional preview, in which we will break down the roster to get you ready for that wonderful first training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

Throughout this series, we'll take a look back at how each position fared in 2023, how that position was addressed in the offseason and wrap up with how it looks heading into 2024. Of course, the roster can still go through changes between now and when it's cut to 53 players. But, this will offer an understanding of how the team is shaping up.

2023 IN REVIEW

After finishing the 2022 season on a positive note, Omar Khan gave the offensive line another jolt by signing guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency. The move was meant to both upgrade the guard position and push Kevin Dotson, but ultimately wound up with Dotson being traded to the Rams during the preseason. The move worked out for Dotson as he fit like a glove in Sean McVay's revamped rushing attack that centered on gap/man concepts.

Further concentration on adding to the offensive line extended to the NFL Draft as Pittsburgh selected Broderick Jones out of Georgia in the first round. In fact, the team traded up three spots to get him at 14th overall. The additions of Seumalo and Jones followed an offseason in which the Steelers signed Mason Cole and James Daniels. It was clear that Khan, undoubtedly with some input from assistant GM Andy Weidl, wanted to make sure the offensive line got better in 2023.

With a starting five, from left to right, of Dan Moore, Seumalo, Cole, Daniels and Chukwuma Okorafor, the Steelers kept 80% of the same unit that finished 2022 in a strong way, while Jones waited for his opportunity. Unfortunately, the offensive line didn't get off to a strong start. Yes, the season started with two tough matchups against the 49ers and Browns, but the offensive line was completely overwhelmed:

Miscommunication. Missed reach blocks. Poor details (asking a center like Cole to reach the far side of a 3-technique on outside zone is ridiculous). This sort of stuff plagued the offensive line early on. And it hampered a rushing attack the Steelers desperately needed. Over the first seven games of the season, this team averaged 79.7 rushing yards per game. It's honestly impressive they were 4-3 during that stretch. But as the season progressed, the offensive line began to gel, even with a bit of a shakeup with the starting lineup.

Jones got his first crack at playing time when Moore went down with an injury in a blowout loss to the Texans in Week 4, and the rookie made his first career start the next week in a crucial victory at home over the Ravens. Jones immediately looked the part, especially against the Ravens, earning a solid 74.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, the best grade from the starting five that game.

A few weeks later, Jones was immediately given a starting role, but not in place of Moore on his natural left side. Down 10 points with less than two minutes to go in a Week 8 loss to the Jaguars, Okorafor promptly earned a place in Mike Tomlin's doghouse when he, as Dejan Kovacevic later reported, made remarks about how the Steelers should have simply knelt out the remainder of the clock rather than continuing to run plays. Jones was immediately slotted in as the starting right tackle in Week 9 while Okorafor became a distant memory, logging only 11 offensive snaps for the remainder of the season.

Despite playing the right side, Jones became a very solid contributor in the running game. With the strength and athleticism Jones possesses, the Steelers were able to use him in a variety of ways. He was a real threat when he was pulled to block on the play side:

The only thing that pancake was missing was some syrup.

As it did the season prior, the offensive line got better down the stretch. Part of the reason in 2023, however, was a schematic shift when Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan took over offensive coordinator and play-calling duties after Matt Canada was fired. The rushing attack began utilizing more gap/man concepts, giving the Steelers more of a 50-50 balance rather than predominantly using an outside zone attack. This better fit the personnel the team had up front, and it's no coincidence that the Steelers averaged 129.9 rushing yards per game after Canada was shown the door.

While the run blocking improved over the course of the season, pass protection held this group back from becoming one of the better units in the league. Moore was the weakest link, allowing eight sacks and 39 hurries, both of which led the team. The other five linemen that played the most -- Seumalo, Cole, Daniels, Jones and Okorafor -- allowed a combined nine sacks. This is one instance where an abysmal PFF grade of 39.7 in pass blocking is rightfully earned.

Jones was a solid run blocker, but wasn't nearly as polished in pass protection, allowing four sacks and 20 hurries. Part of that could be due to him playing out of his natural position, but Jones entered the league as a more accomplished run blocker. His pass protection was expected to be a bit behind.

Perhaps the greatest disappointment was a serious regression from Cole. In his first season with the team, Cole emerged as a solid option and became a leader in the room. The problem in 2023 is his play regressed and remained inconsistent throughout the season. Cole's lack of athleticism limited his ability to consistently block in outside zone concepts, and his pass protection took a huge step back, allowing 10 more total pressures than he did the season before.

Overall, the offensive line was probably average, at best. As previously stated, the run blocking got better, but the lack of consistent pass protection handcuffed an already limited quarterback room. In fact, Mason Rudolph is to be commended for his willingness to stay inside the pocket as plays developed. There were several times he was throwing out of a telephone booth.

THE OFFSEASON

In order to get where the Steelers want to go offensively, the offensive line had to be improved. The first step was hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, who can coach a better overall offense. The coordinator is important here because a lot of the details within the concepts called are coached from the top down. Despite his struggles in Atlanta as a head coach, Smith coordinated two very successful offenses in Tennessee. A better system with more refined details is a good start.

The Steelers also kept their faith in Pat Meyer, who was retained to coach the offensive line. Typically any time the offensive line struggles, fans immediately point the finger at the offensive line coach. But it's obvious that Tomlin believes Meyer's coaching isn't the reason behind the offensive line achieving mediocre results over the previous two seasons. And the decision to retain Meyer came after Smith was hired, so it's also clear the new coordinator is comfortable with Meyer, as well.

For actual improvements to the offensive line, the first step was releasing Cole and Okorafor. The moves created a huge void at center, but it signaled the willingness to improve in that area. In addition, Khan made a comment at the NFL Combine that Jones could be moving over to the left side, though he didn't specify a timeline. That opened up questions about who might play right tackle should Jones move to the left side in 2024.

All effort to improve was geared toward the NFL Draft. Throughout the draft circuit, as I repeatedly reported leading up to the draft, tackle was made a priority in the first round. Even Meyer was instructed specifically to scout right tackles during certain pro days, reinforcing Khan's vision of Jones being the left tackle of the future. Yes, center was a bigger need, but it's clear that Khan, Tomlin, Weidl and others on the inside wanted to capitalize on a strong crop of tackles atop the draft class.

The Steelers dedicated three of their seven picks to offensive linemen, and they got their tackle in the first round by selecting Troy Fautanu out of Washington at 20th overall. They turned right around and selected Zach Frazier out of West Virginia in the second round, addressing the gaping hole at center. Finally, Mason McCormick was drafted out of South Dakota State in the fourth round to give the team a young guard with high upside.

With three young, talented additions to the offensive line, the unit looks much better on paper. Even PFF listed Pittsburgh's offensive line at No. 9 in their preseason rankings.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024

Yes, the offensive line is better on paper. And, if the Steelers have their way, all these moves could solidify the whole line for several seasons. But, expect there to be growing pains.

Even if Tomlin goes with a complete youth movement up front and starts -- left to right -- Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, Daniels and Fautanu, that's 60% of the line being very, very young, two of which with no NFL snaps in the bank and one with less than a season as a starter. As it was in 2022 with two new veterans on the line, adjusting to a new zone scheme takes time. Chemistry has to be built.

Smith's system in Tennessee and Atlanta heavily relies on wide zone, which requires the aforementioned chemistry, but also a great deal of athleticism. Fortunately, Jones, Moore, Seumalo, Daniels, Fautanu and Frazier are all very athletic, especially in terms of run blocking. They can get to the second level on outside zone concepts and any of them can pull for any type of block in gap/man concepts.

There's also no denying the ceiling for this group. Jones flashed plenty of his potential in his rookie season, and should he earn the starting job at left tackle, he'll be back on his natural side. He needs to prove himself as a better pass protector to solidify his place at left tackle, especially considering that both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields like to hold onto the ball for a long time. It's a big year for Jones.

Seumalo and Daniels are a very formidable duo at guard. Both are solid run blockers, and both are very good in pass protection. Seumalo didn't allow any sacks last year and Daniels allowed only one. These two are as reliable as it gets.

Fautanu figures into the Steelers' plans on the right side, even though he played almost exclusively left tackle at Washington. Either way, Fautanu has unique athleticism, seeks out violence and has an amazing ability to recover when he's beaten:

That one rep should be more than enough to get you excited. And, trust me, the rest of the tape is impressive.

Frazier has the ability to be an upgrade over Cole, especially in Smith's system. Frazier is very athletic, very smart and can be a very active blocker in outside zone runs:

Watch the way Frazier processes this zone run. Frazier would initially most likely need to make a reach block on the 2-technique to the play side, but Penn State runs a run stunt. Frazier identifies that, so he improvises and walls off the 1-technique that penetrated the line of scrimmage. That helps open up the hole for the running back to gain a nice chunk of yards.

When thinking about pass protection, it might surprise you to think that the trio in the middle might be more important than the tackles. At 5-11, Wilson is a very short quarterback. In order for him to read defenses and make throws within the structure of the offense, he has to be able to see. If Frazier steps in between Seumalo and Daniels and the three become a wall in front of Wilson, the passing game will reap benefits from that.

But, let's also be real. Jones and Fautanu, if they are the bookends of the future, they need to prove themselves, as well.

As for Moore, he's entering the final year of his contract. It's not a matter of if but when Jones takes his place as the starting left tackle. And, with Fautanu foaming at the mouth for the starting job at right tackle, Moore might have to finally get out of his comfort zone and learn how to play the right side, though he admittedly doesn't like playing over there. If he can't, Khan might be forced to trade him during the preseason as he did Dotson and Kendrick Green last summer.

Yes, this group has a high ceiling. Should Jones, Fautanu and Frazier all pan out in the next couple of seasons, the Steelers could have a legitimate top 10 offensive line. But, at least to start things off in 2024, expect a slow start as they get acclimated with one another.

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Left Tackle:
• Broderick Jones
• Dan Moore

Left Guard:
• Isaac Seumalo
• Nate Herbig

Center:
• Zach Frazier
• Nate Herbig

Right Guard:
• James Daniels
• Mason McCormick

Right Tackle:
• Troy Fautanu
• Dylan Cook

This won't be the depth chart to start training camp. Rookies aren't handed jobs anymore. Not since what happened with Green. But, by the time the Steelers fly to Atlanta for the season opener, I expect Frazier to be the starting center and expect Jones and Fautanu to take their places at tackle. Get the young guys out there immediately and have the chemistry start building as soon as possible. Should Frazier not be the starting center right away, that job will go to Nick Herbig, who figures to eventually be the No. 1 option off the bench at guard or center.

2024 STEELERS POSITIONAL PREVIEW SERIES

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide receiver/Tight End

And coming soon ...

• Defensive line/Edge rusher 
• Inside linebacker 
• Secondary 
• Special teams