WE know O-line!!!

[teegre]

Give ourselves a pat on our backs, SU!!! PFF released its All Rookie team, and four of the O-linemen that we discussed in depth are starting:

Michael Onwenu, Michigan (many of us wanted the entire Michigan O-line :lol: )

Kevin Dotson (many had him mocked in R4 or R5)

Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (lots of discussion about him)

Damien Lewis, LSU (again, we discussed him thoroughly)

So... using our obviously-spectacular collective-knowledge, who are the O-linemen we should target for the upcoming draft???

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Well done gang. I wanted Ruiz or Bredeson before Onwenu(Michigan guys), but was all in on Lewis and pleased we picked Dotson. Jack Driscoll was a guy that looked good at the Shrine game, as did Onwenu and Dotson.

Who were the rookie RB's?

[teegre]

Who were the rookie RB's?

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Interesting. I seemed to recall somebody saying he would be good. :scratchchin:

...and he only had 1 fumble the entire season.

[Six Rings]

Give ourselves a pat on our backs, SU!!! PFF released its All Rookie team, and four of the O-linemen that we discussed in depth are starting:

Michael Onwenu, Michigan (many of us wanted the entire Michigan O-line :lol: )

Kevin Dotson (many had him mocked in R4 or R5)

Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (lots of discussion about him)

Damien Lewis, LSU (again, we discussed him thoroughly)

So... using our obviously-spectacular collective-knowledge, who are the O-linemen we should target for the upcoming draft???

Oh my the Steelers are in trouble at OL in 2021 and beyond.

1 ) Pouncey. He's old, seldom pulls anymore, isn't a road grader, and snaps deep badly. Replacement, maybe Josh Myers at Ohio State, who plays soon!

2 ) DeCastro. Either something was wrong with him or he has declined. Primed to be replaced due to age in 2-3 seasons. No moves for now.

3 ) Big AL V. The lone player on the team who is proven at left tackle. Likely a goner in free agency, we don't have the cap space to keep him. Also older.

4 ) Chucks / Banner. Chucks was just okay. He's cheap so he stays. Banner? Was on his 3rd - 4th team until he gut hurt before the season Never started for us. There is a starting tackle.

5. ) Feiler. Very strong in the running game. Trouble is we can't run it these days. A free agent, he's likely gone. Can play RT and was better than what we have there now. But can we afford him?

Top reserves

Hassenauer. Just an undersized guy who can fill in at G/C, and we do okay with him because Pouncey isn't missed when he's out.

Wisnieski - Now starting for the Kanas City. We cut him, bad short term move.

Dotson. A good looking rookie guard, He can play, let's not expect a pro bowl player here. He'll start next season.

*** We miss coach Munchak **

Here's the straight dope, by pick # 28th ( I'm guessing ) at least 4 tackles will be off the board. So as much as we need one, the value isn't right. We can get value in round two at Center, and I say use that pick to replace an older and expensive Pouncey. Fish for an OT in rounds 4-7. As for who is going to play LT next year, I don't know. Maybe we move Feiler back to RT, and ask Chucks to play LT. Not ideal but that's all we can afford.

- - - Updated - - -


Interesting. I seemed to recall somebody saying he would be good. :scratchchin:

...and he only had 1 fumble the entire season.

And he's coming on strong. Loved the Taylor during the draft process. Also liked Claypool.

IMO the big backs with speed are going to be sought after because defenses play the pass ( Mostly Nickel and dime ). This year I like Harris enough for our pick in round one. A trade down into early rounds two could be ideal for us IF we get an extra 3rd round pick with it.

[Mojouw]

I actually think the line will be better at run blocking but worse at pass blocking in 2021. The only glaring "hole" will be who plays center? And they need more Dotson type picks along the line to groom replacements.

Chuks plays LT. I suspect he will pass block high end of average and be an average run blocker. Passable LT.
Dotson plays LG. I believe this will be an upgrade over Feiler and also make the C position better.
???? plays Center. This is either Pouncey or a high draft pick.
DeCastro at RG.
Banner at RT. He beat out Chuks in camp/preseason. Chuks has been fine at RT. I suspect that Banner will be an upgrade in the RT. I certainly would love to see a RB moving behind a mammoth Banner, a rested/rehabbed DeCastro, and a pulling Dotson.

Hawkins is the top reserve at OT. What likely hurts the off-season planning is that they weren't able to cycle Gray back to the PS. Hopefully someone (or even exactly him) shakes loose and can be rostered prior to the draft. They need to come out of the draft with another OT and a C capable interior lineman. Not totally unreasonable...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I actually think the line will be better at run blocking but worse at pass blocking in 2021. The only glaring "hole" will be who plays center? And they need more Dotson type picks along the line to groom replacements.

Chuks plays LT. I suspect he will pass block high end of average and be an average run blocker. Passable LT.
Dotson plays LG. I believe this will be an upgrade over Feiler and also make the C position better.
???? plays Center. This is either Pouncey or a high draft pick.
DeCastro at RG.
Banner at RT. He beat out Chuks in camp/preseason. Chuks has been fine at RT. I suspect that Banner will be an upgrade in the RT. I certainly would love to see a RB moving behind a mammoth Banner, a rested/rehabbed DeCastro, and a pulling Dotson.

Hawkins is the top reserve at OT. What likely hurts the off-season planning is that they weren't able to cycle Gray back to the PS. Hopefully someone (or even exactly him) shakes loose and can be rostered prior to the draft. They need to come out of the draft with another OT and a C capable interior lineman. Not totally unreasonable...

All sounds reasonable. Right down to Derwin Gray loss being bigger than most think. He may have been the 2021 starter at RT or 2022, but now have to draft somebody else to develop over a couple seasons.

I would not be surprised if Shawn Sarrett is upgraded on the O line either.

[Fire Goodell]

Derwin Gray looked the role of a road grader who could move people in the run game. Don't know why we cut him when OL is probably our weakest link on the offense right now

Coaching staff picked Banner over Chuks I hear mainly because of his run blocking. Early in the season the running game actually looked pretty decent.

[Mojouw]

Derwin Gray looked the role of a road grader who could move people in the run game. Don't know why we cut him when OL is probably our weakest link on the offense right now

Coaching staff picked Banner over Chuks I hear mainly because of his run blocking. Early in the season the running game actually looked pretty decent.

Gray got caught in a numbers game due to the injuries and COVID issues at LB, CB, and K. The Steelers thought they could sneak him through waivers back onto the PS and they needed the roster spot for the reserves and call-ups at the other positions. I hope that the new brain trust at the Jags lets him get back to the open market and the Steelers can re-sign him.