Steelers Have Options For New Guard, Including 1 From AFC North Rival

The offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers made huge strides in the 2022 season, thanks to the additions of James Daniels and Mason Cole. With the right side of the line fixed up, it's time to shift focus to the left side. With it being all but confirmed that the Steelers will draft cornerback round 1, they won't be able to capitalize on a top tackle in the draft. With very few quality tackles in free agency, plus Taylor Lewan having beef with TJ Watt, the Steelers will likely shift their focus to the left guard position. 

Thanks to the Chicago Bears, the Steelers have the top pick in the 2nd round in 2023. That would put them in position to select O'Cyrus Torrence with the 32nd overall pick. Torrence is a massive, physical player that can handle the best interior defensive linemen from college, and he should be able to translate it to the NFL level. 

He faced plenty of high-end rushers in the SEC, a conference that was even more stacked in 2022 than normal. He's proven time and time again that he can handle his own, and then some. The Steelers need a physical force like Torrence to help cover Kenny Pickett's blind side, and Torrence could be that force if the Steelers are able to steal him in the draft.

To get Torrence, however, he would have to fall past his projections. If the Steelers don't want to take that risk, they can get another veteran presence for guard, and not just and veteran guard. They could try and gain an edge on the Baltimore Ravens by signing Ben Powers to take over at left guard. They've had their successes with acquiring former Ravens recently, including Chris Wormley to replace Stephon Tuitt, along with a run-blocking receiver/specialist in Miles Boykin.

Would Ben Powers be a good fit for the Steelers?

Ben Powers went from a 4th round depth pick to a consistent play-maker on a line that's been constantly inconsistent and injured for the Baltimore Ravens. His 2022 season was easily his best in his career so far, and the Ravens recognized it with their traditional weekly award: a cinder block.

A cinder block is awarded each week by Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris to the week's top performing offensive lineman. The lineman who wins the most cinder blocks throughout the season is given the honor of keeping it. Powers won the cinder block eight times this year, so it's going home with him. 

When healthy, the Ravens' offensive line is a dominant force full of near-unmovable bodies. Whether everyone around Powers was healthy or not, Powers was able to maintain form and stand out during his time in Baltimore. A strong, powerful force like Powers would make the Steelers' offense run even smoother than it did in the back half of 2022. Powers can walk to Pittsburgh with his cinder block and make the interior offensive line elite, along with Daniels and Cole. 

If the Steelers could get a quality left tackle, they should still go for it, since it's the most important position on the line. However, if they can't get their guy, they have some great options at guard. Ben Powers could be a great value signing, as well as O'Cyrus Torrence being a great value draft pick. Just like with cornerback, Omar Khan has plenty of options to go with. Does he let his man fall to him in the draft, or does he make Baltimore pay for letting their prized cinder block leave?