Pittsburgh Steelers: Three Options for Improving the Offensive Line

Mike Pouncey leads a list of potential draft choices that might be available when the Steelers select 31st overall. Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo lead a free agent class with some good players available. Internally, there have been promising showings by Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster.

Improvements along the offensive line have been a must for the Pittsburgh Steelers since Jeff Hartings and Alan Faneca departed from the scene. This year, the Steelers have a golden opportunity—both through the draft and pending free agency—to improve a unit that has an Achilles heel.

Here's a look at three potential ways to repair this unit and help the Steelers make their offense more deadly than ever.

1. Address the Offensive Line in Round One

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Possible Moves:

Mike Pouncey (Florida), Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)

Analysis:

The Steelers' biggest current needs (assuming there are no moves made before draft day) would appear to be at the right tackle spot (where Flozell Adams is ancient and Willie Colon is a free agent) and at either of the guard spots. Chris Kemoeatu has never played up to his potential at left guard and has struggled at times with his temper and technique. Right guard was a revolving door last season with Trai Essex, Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster playing snaps there.

While Pouncey is the only guard on this list, guard probably isn't the biggest of the two needs. Pittsburgh likes to run on off tackle, something that is difficult when the tackles are struggling. The advantage of adding Pouncey would be that he could take over at left guard and shore up the middle of the line for Rashard Mendenhall, a tough runner who is great at grinding out yards up the middle.

Sherrod and Carimi might be gone, but they could be had if the Steelers should move up a few spots. Any of these four makes sense as a late first-round selection, and any would immediately fill a major hole in the line.

2. Address the Offensive Line in Free Agency

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Harvey Dahl #73 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

Possible Moves:

Tyson Clabo (Atlanta), Harvey Dahl (Atlanta), Willie Colon (Pittsburgh)

Analysis:

There aren't a lot of big name offensive linemen on the free agent lists, and competition to improve the offensive lines around the league is expected to be fierce. These three players represent the best options for Pittsburgh.

Resigning Colon is a priority, but its complicated by what salary he might demand and how effective he will be after a major injury and a year off. Colon, when healthy, was the team's best lineman and was highly effective in the running game. He does draw a lot of penalties, which is something the Steelers would like to avoid, but I'm sure it's an issue that can be corrected by coaching.

Dahl and Clabo formed a very effective wall on the right side of the Atlanta offensive line, keeping Matt Ryan upright consistently. Either would be a great sign for the Steelers. Clabo is probably a more likely sign, but he may have higher contract demands as he tries to cash in for the first time (he was an un-drafted free agent).

The Steelers usually prefer to build through the draft, so they may not opt for any of these names beyond seeing if Colon can be brought back on the cheap.

3. Address the Offensive Line in Round Two

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Guard Stefan Wisniewski #61 of the Penn State Nittany Lions blocks against the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Possible Choices:

Stefan Wisniewski (Penn State), Marcus Cannon (TCU), Danny Watkins (Baylor), Orlando Franklin (Miami), Rodney Hudson (Florida State)

Analysis:

Of all the scenarios, this one seems most likely. The Steelers also have a glaring need at corner, a position with more first-round level prospects in this draft than the offensive line. They could, and probably should, spend their first pick on a corner and then work on the offensive line in round two.

With the death of free agent names, not to mention the possible absence of free agency thanks to ongoing CBA arguments, this may be the best route for the Steelers to take in improving the line.

Wisniewski and Hudson can play multiple positions, and the others are all guards. The versatility of the two players I just mentioned could be a major plus as Pittsburgh tries to assemble a staunch front five. Cannon projects as a late second-round selection, so he may be available more readily than the others. Wisniewski is probably the best player of the bunch, so the Steelers could target him with the hope that he could start immediately.

Possible Line Combinations

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Here are few potential line combinations based upon the plans you've just read about:

Addressing the Line in Round One

Max Starks (LT), Mike Pouncey (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Ramon Foster (RG), Willie Colon (RT)

The Steelers will likely have someone other than Flozell Adams playing the offensive line, so it's reasonable to assume that Willie Colon would be re-signed in the event that the team spends a first-round pick on Pouncey. Ramon Foster showed enough last year to have earned the chance to start regularly this year.

Max Starks (LT), Doug Legursky (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Ramon Foster (RG), Anthony Castonzo (RT)

Chris Kemoeatu has been a liability, despite some solid play down the stretch and in the playoffs. He's more expendable right now than Foster, who is younger and has more upside. Legursky played great in multiple spots this year and has earned the chance to compete for a starting spot. Castonzo would fit in best at right tackle, leaving Max Starks in his current spot on the left side.

Addressing the Line in Free Agency

Max Starks (LT), Doug Legursky (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Harvey Dahl (RG), Ramon Foster (RT)

Foster can play either guard or tackle, so he could move outside if the team doesn't re-sign Willie Colon. Dahl would fit best at right guard, where he's already played with Atlanta.

Max Starks (LT), Doug Legursky (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Ramon Foster (RG), Tyson Clabo (RT)

Clabo already has played on the right side, and that is where Pittsburgh has struggled most in recent years when Starks has not been healthy.

Addressing the Line in Round Two

Max Starks (LT), Doug Legursky/Ramon Foster (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Stefan Wisniewski (RG), Willie Colon (RT)

Legursky and Foster should compete for one of the guard spots. Wisniewski can slot into the other position (he already plays on the right side). Colon will likely be brought back if they draft after round one and do not select a tackle.

Max Starks (LT), Legursky/Foster (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Marcus Cannon (RG), Willie Colon (RT)

Same scenario as above, just with Cannon selected instead of Wisniewski.