Why Steelers Must Draft "Blue Blood" Offensive Lineman

I'm with Trai All Day. The Steelers haven’t drafted an offensive lineman within the first TWO rounds of the draft since 2012, when they took a blue blood, David DeCastro, at pick 24. We all knew DeCastro had a high floor. He went on to become a 2x first-team All-Pro, and a 6x Pro Bowler. 

In the 2010 draft, they took another blue blood in the 1st round. Center Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey made the NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team. 

The term “blue blood” is a bit fuzzy. It is urban-dictionary-ish used to describe players from the most recognized schools in the country. Not Louisiana, (Dotson) or Western Michigan (Okorafor) -- Instead, Stanford, (DeCastro) and Florida (Pouncey). Dudes from power schools that have consistently faced the top competition -- and are much better for it. I’m not by any means saying that you can’t find a great offensive lineman from a small school. But I am pointing out what has undeniably worked for the Steelers.

So who are the blue bloods in the upcoming draft? Let’s briefly touch on the projected 1st round picks as we currently stand.

O’Cyrus Torrence - Florida. Torrence projects as a guard at the next level. He would support Najee Harris and the run game, while also providing a significant upgrade over Kevin Dotson. 

Broderick Jones - Georgia. Jones is one of the most athletic lineman in the draft, but he’s extremely raw. But coming from Georgia, he won’t need much time to adjust to the competition, provided he practiced against an NFL defensive line in college, which included Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, and Jalen Carter - three Bulldogs 1st round picks. Dan Moore Jr. could then become a swing tackle.

Paris Johnson Jr. - Ohio State. Projected top 15 offensive tackle. The dude’s a Buckeye. That means I put his odds at 99.9% to already be on Tomlin’s speed dial. “Hey Paris, Mike Tomlin here. You healthy? You ready to be a Steeler? Also, can we call you the Eiffel Tower?”

Peter Skoronski - Northwestern. Oh my god what a Pittsburgh name. Skoronski. That’s made for a thanksgiving dinner table discussion in Dormont. This polished guard reminds me of a Quenten Nelson type. Or a David DeCastro. He legitimately has a chance to be one of the best guards in football. 

Look at those schools. Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and Northwestern. You might say one doesn’t belong, but Essex (Northwestern alum) would disagree. Northwestern plays in the B1G Ten guys!!

So my plea is simple; take one of those players.

Here’s the good news for the Steelers: they have two chances to do this, essentially carrying two first round picks, picking at 17 and 32 (thanks Bears.)

The Steelers owed it to Big Ben to find him the absolute best up front, and they did, which is what you have to do with a franchise QB. When pursuing your significant other, what does everyone say? "Don’t settle." They now owe it to Kenny Pickett to not just settle for “serviceable.” They need to be elite up front.

So for all of you who bleed black and gold, I now ask you for now, temporarily, to bleed blue.