OFFENSIVE GUARD & CENTER ROOM PREDICTIONS- Isaac Seumalo (LG), James Daniels (RG), Zach Fraizer (C), Mason McCormick (LG), Nate Herbig (OG/ C) *Honorable Mention- Spencer Anderson*
While the Steelers offensive line struggled throughout the year, the offensive guard position was not lacking. Isaac Seumalo is a former Eagle who will be going into his ninth year as a pro and will continue to be the team’s starting left guard. James Daniels is an experienced yet young offensive lineman who can play all positions in the interior line. These two huge men complement one another. Seumalo’s biggest strength is his run blocking skills while Daniels is an excellent pass blocker who has only allowed 1 sack in his two seasons in Pittsburgh.
The one problem that this duo face is their contracts. Daniels will be a free agent after this season and Isaac only has two more years left on his contract. While it would be great to keep both, the Steelers have bigger needs than offensive guard. If one were extended, Daniels would be more plausible than Seumalo. Daniels is the younger out of the two and is almost as experienced as Seumalo. The Steelers’ fourth-round draft pick could also play a huge part in this discussion. The Steelers drafted South Dakota guard, Mason McCormick, in this year’s draft.
Despite not being considered a starter this year, McCormick has the talent to develop into one. McCormick played at left guard his whole college career and will probably continue that into the NFL. Left guard is also the position which Isaac Seumalo plays. And with Seumalo being 33-years old when his contract goes up, it is not ideal for a huge extension. The most reasonable situation the Steelers have is to let McCormick learn and develop under someone credible and experienced as Seumalo. Until the former Eagle becomes a free agent where McCormick would take over the left guard spot.
Mason Cole was the Steelers’ starting center for the past two seasons. While playing well his first year, Cole did not recreate that production in 2023. Leading to his release from the Steelers. So, heading into the 2024 offseason, center was a huge need for the team. Instead of signing for a center in free agency, Omar Khan looked for one is the draft. And Khan got a great one in the second round. Drafting West Virgina center, Zach Fraizer in the second round was praised by many. Fraizer was on many analysts’ draft boards as the draft’s second-best center. Fraizer is a projected day-one starter on the offensive line for the Steelers and will massivley boost both the passing game and running game.
Nate Herbig, brother of fellow Steeler Nick Herbig, is similarly gifted to James Daniels. Herbig has played left guard, center, and right guard throughout his career. Herbig in fact also had the highest PFF grade in a single game for the Steeler’s offensive line last season, with an impressive 91.8 grade coming in week 13. With his versatility, experience, and locker room presence, Herbig has a good claim to make the 53-man roster.