Steelers Have Absolutely 'No Starter' At This Position And 'You're Not Going To Find Him In The 3rd Round'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very important string of days coming up during the NFL Draft, where General Manager Omar Khan will have the opportunity to put together a stellar draft that addresses all of the team's pressing needs. This would certainly build the optimism and positivity for the upcoming NFL season. The only issue is the sheer number of holes the Steelers have throughout their roster. Wide receiver, tackle, depth at cornerback, linebacker, and all along the defensive line are all areas that must be addressed, while also finally obtaining a starting center. 

When the Steelers initially released Mason Cole, who was the team's starting center for two seasons, it didn't seem like a big deal because there were still quality centers available in free agency. However, weeks later, those center options are gone and the Steelers have no choice but to address the position through the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers have a long history of great centers, and according to Gerry Dulac during his recent appearance on the DVE Morning Show, the Steelers are looking to continue that history by finding a top-flight center in the draft.

"The one position on the team where there is no starter is center, and they need a center, and not just any center, they want to get a top-flight center. They want to get a Maurkice Pouncey. I'm not sitting here saying they are going to get a Maurkice Pouncey, but they want to get a guy who is going to anchor that line for 10 years and you're not going to find him in the third round and keep your fingers crossed that you're going to get a Mike Webster who was a fifth round pick."

Mike Webster started the legendary history at the center position for Pittsburgh when he was selected in the fifth round of the 1974 NFL Draft, and he went on to become a Hall of Famer. Dulac makes it clear, that isn't the way to attack the position in 2024, and the Steelers will need to use one of their top picks to acquire a center in the first or second round, which essentially narrows their options down to three names - Graham Barton, Jackson Powers-Johnson, or Zach Frazier. 

Powers-Johnson and Barton will most likely be first round selections, with Barton projected to go somewhere around the Steelers' selection and Powers-Johnson going later in the first round. Frazier is projected to go in the second round, but he has been slowly climbing up draft boards and the Steelers probably won't be able to get him with their second round selection with the 51st overall pick. Recent mocks have had the Steelers trading up in the second round to acquire Frazier, which could cost a fortune. 

Sedrick Van Pran is another center to watch for Pittsburgh, although he is projected to go in the third or fourth round, which doesn't necessarily align with Pittsburgh wanting a 'top-flight' player at the position. The organization will have a tough decision to make during the draft, as all signs point to them selecting a tackle in the first round, although they could select Barton or reach for one of the other center prospects. 

Steelers Looking To Build On History Of Legendary Centers

The Steelers' long line of success at center includes Ray Mansfield, Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Maurkice Pouncey. Another name that could be included is Jeff Hartings, who was the center for Pittsburgh in the early 2000s and made an All-Pro team in 2004. Like Hartings, all four of the other historic centers for Pittsburgh made All-Pro teams at some point in their careers, with Dawson making six, Pouncey making five, Webster making eight, and Mansfield making two. 

Webster and Dawson are both Hall of Famers, and Pouncey likely will be once he becomes eligible in 2025. The Steelers are looking to find their next center of the same caliber that can be an above average starter for the next decade. 

Which center do you want the Steelers to select in the 2024 NFL Draft?