State of our OL

[steeler_george]

This line has been basically the same for the past decade, except with Feiler stepping in for Gilbert.

This line is getting old, and under performing.

In 2020, Most likely Foster is gone, and we have 3 OL who are FA... Banner, Feiler, and Finnely. Even if we sign Feiler and Banner for a year, are any of them worth signing big contracts to keep in the future?

In 2021 we only have : DD, Grey, Chucks, and Pouncey signed. And Pouncey might not even make it to 2021.

This OL is a bigger mess than we really think going forward.

[Buzz]

Yep. It's why I wouldn't be surprised is 2 of our first 3 picks are OL.

[Ernie]

IMO retaining Feiler is a priority.. he was our highest rated OL this year other than maybe DD.

[hawaiiansteel]

Foster will most likely be cut and Pouncey is on his last legs. it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Steelers draft one of these 4 centers at 2(49) who can play left guard until Pouncey either retires or becomes a cap casualty:

1) Tyler Biadasz 6'3" 316 Wisconsin
2) Cesar Ruiz 6'4" 320 Michigan
3) Lloyd Cushenberry 6'3 1/4" 312 LSU
4) Matt Hennessey 6'4" 302 Temple

[Steel Maniac]

Yep. It's why I wouldn't be surprised is 2 of our first 3 picks are OL.

You may get your wish. Seems to be the area everyone wants to overhaul.

[SteelerMaine83]

Foster will most likely be cut and Pouncey is on his last legs. it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Steelers draft one of these 4 centers at 2(49) who can play left guard until Pouncey either retires or becomes a cap casualty:

1) Tyler Biadasz 6'3" 316 Wisconsin
2) Cesar Ruiz 6'4" 320 Michigan
3) Lloyd Cushenberry 6'3 1/4" 312 LSU
4) Matt Hennessey 6'4" 302 Temple

Completely agree. I think we will likely cut Pouncey next year, and let the rookie acclimate at LG before taking over at center. I would pick any of those first three at 49 (n the order you listed them), to get that big physical fun blocking C, but I wouldn’t take Hennessy until the 4th.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I mentioned this in another thread, but let's look at the OL right now:

LT - Villinueva - Great story but seemed to regress last season. Is that more due to his decline or playing without Ben and constantly facing 8 in the box? We'll find out. 31 years old and one year left on his contract. IMO he is average at best and considering age and contract he is not part of the long term picture.

LG - Foster - No chance he stays around next year

C - Pouncey - Was never much of a straight ahead run blocker and now nowhere near where he needs to be as a pass blocker. On top of that, his biggest strength of getting out front and pulling is not what it once was. Not worth his $11M cap hit, and even if he sticks in '20, I can't see him back in '21.

RG - Decastro - The one constant. Under contract through 2021.

RT - Feiler - RFA so can easily be had for a very reasonable price. Is he an elite RT? Can he be? Will he be moved to LG to replace Foster? I don't know but he is someone you'd like to retain, and probably a starter somewhere, but not a cornerstone piece.

Backups - Banner, Okorafor, Grey - Lumped them together. Chuks and Grey still on their rookie deals and Banner probably retained as a RFA. Between the three of them, maybe someone cracks the lineup, but it is based as much on hope as anything. Certainly not a top prospect in the bunch.

Bottom line: Set at RG, probably set at LG (or maybe RT) with Feiler. Beyond that, I can't see a solid piece to this puzzle beyond 2020 or 2021. Draft OL now, because you will still be needy next year's draft as well.

[whatever]

I mentioned this in another thread, but let's look at the OL right now:

LT - Villinueva - Great story but seemed to regress last season. Is that more due to his decline or playing without Ben and constantly facing 8 in the box? We'll find out. 31 years old and one year left on his contract. IMO he is average at best and considering age and contract he is not part of the long term picture.

LG - Foster - No chance he stays around next year

C - Pouncey - Was never much of a straight ahead run blocker and now nowhere near where he needs to be as a pass blocker. On top of that, his biggest strength of getting out front and pulling is not what it once was. Not worth his $11M cap hit, and even if he sticks in '20, I can't see him back in '21.

RG - Decastro - The one constant. Under contract through 2021.

RT - Feiler - RFA so can easily be had for a very reasonable price. Is he an elite RT? Can he be? Will he be moved to LG to replace Foster? I don't know but he is someone you'd like to retain, and probably a starter somewhere, but not a cornerstone piece.

Backups - Banner, Okorafor, Grey - Lumped them together. Chuks and Grey still on their rookie deals and Banner probably retained as a RFA. Between the three of them, maybe someone cracks the lineup, but it is based as much on hope as anything. Certainly not a top prospect in the bunch.

Bottom line: Set at RG, probably set at LG (or maybe RT) with Feiler. Beyond that, I can't see a solid piece to this puzzle beyond 2020 or 2021. Draft OL now, because you will still be needy next year's draft as well.

Absolutely agree.
Doesn't matter if we have a stud rb if no line.
Even worse is new qb with no line.
Gotta see if we will kick the can down the road another year or two.

[Ernie]

Pouncey and Ben will leave together.. Zero chance he gets cut before Ben leaves. They will retire together.. write it down

[Steel Maniac]

Pouncey and Ben will leave together.. Zero chance he gets cut before Ben leaves. They will retire together.. write it down

Maybe, maybe not. If we come across two great O-line prospects with our first two picks , I’m all for it. Ben has two years tops; he’s no shot caller about any other position now; his leverage has gone. And he barely has any juice when it comes to his own position now.

[hawaiiansteel]

Gotta see if we will kick the can down the road another year or two.

our window with Ben most likely only has two years remaining so I'm sure we will...

[whatever]

Although the trade for Fitzpatrick looks like a winner, the trade for Vannett and releasing of Fred Johnson were poor decisions.
Thinking that this team could still complete with the addition of Vannett was foolish.
Knowing our oline situation, as early as the 2020 season and much more desperate in 2021 and 2022, releasing Johnson was just plain stupid.
One brought nothing to the table where the other one more than likely would have brought a bunch.

[steeler_george]

Although the trade for Fitzpatrick looks like a winner, the trade for Vannett and releasing of Fred Johnson were poor decisions.
Thinking that this team could still complete with the addition of Vannett was foolish.
Knowing our oline situation, as early as the 2020 season and much more desperate in 2021 and 2022, releasing Johnson was just plain stupid.
One brought nothing to the table where the other one more than likely would have brought a bunch.

I am 50/50 with your comments.

Vannett is a bit of a mystery. First, did we really see what he could do, considering how bad everyone looked on offense last year. Secondly, he was an upgrade over Gimble even if wasn't placed on IR. Yeah you are right, we were really were weak at TE starting the season. Thirdly, if we didn't trade for him we would of had Radar playing and maybe starting a few games, so he was worth it if you look at it that way. However, if we don't resign him, then yes it was a waste of a trade. Question if we lose him does he get placed in the comp formula?

I never seen Fred play, but by all reports, he was the undrafted player to watch. I can't remeber which game it was, when we he was released ( was he on the 53 or our practice squad), but all I remeber we were short handed at several positions. And he was odd man out. We still had Grey and thought if emergency, then Feiler can play guard and we have Banner, OKO to play RT. Which is the correct thinking. Who knows Cincy might cut him in the next few weeks.

[Ernie]

Maybe, maybe not. If we come across two great O-line prospects with our first two picks , I’m all for it. Ben has two years tops; he’s no shot caller about any other position now; his leverage has gone. And he barely has any juice when it comes to his own position now.

Ben and Pouncey are best buds... Pouncey has already stated that he is done when Ben is done.. id have to think the feeling is mutual. Ben has made the comment numerous times that the O Line play has extended his career... and theres no doubt he feels Pouncey is a big part of that.

IDK about "Shot calling" and "Leverage"... but Ben sure as hell has this team hostage that next two years with that monster contract.

[pfelix73]

Maybe, maybe not. If we come across two great O-line prospects with our first two picks , I’m all for it. Ben has two years tops; he’s no shot caller about any other position now; his leverage has gone. And he barely has any juice when it comes to his own position now.

"If we come across two great O-line prospects with our first two picks , I’m all for it."
Well, you might be all for it, but what about the coaching staff and those actually making the picks? I doubt they draft 2 OL in their 1st 3 picks with so many holes to fill.

BPA with the 2nd pick. DL, OL, TE, RB, WR LB, in no particular order.