The First Time I Met Charlie Sheen: Steelers' OL Candidates Chace Warmack & Lane Johnson

American Gothic, by Grant Wood

Despite what we wrote in our prior post, the Steelers still need to fortify the offensive line, always, seemingly, a question mark in flux.  After finishing each of the past three seasons on injured reserve, veteran guard Willie Colon’s time in Pittsburgh in almost certainly done, and it’s about time.  Max Starks is a free agent (again), but the Steelers may bring him back (again).

The Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette projects the Steelers opening the 2013 season with the following starters on the offensive line: Marcus Gilbert (LT), Kelvin Beachum (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (center), David DeCastro (RG), Mike Adams (RT).

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls may be wrong here, but we have little faith in tackle Marcus Gilbert. He has a lot to prove (durability, toughness, technique). He may or may not have earned a starting job, but it would be prudent, one would think, for the Steelers to have another legitimate option for the crucial left tackle position, and we would have no problem having Max Starks back.

OL Candidates for the First Round

In the first round of April’s NFL Draft, the following players may be available and would be worth strong consideration:

Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson will almost certainly go in the first round, touted at this point in the 15-20 range, right where the Steelers pick at No. 17. He'd be ideal at LT for new OL coach Jack Bicknell Jr's. zone-blocking scheme. Johnson would step right in at left tackle and start from Day 1 -- he's known for good feet, mobility, and ability to stonewall speed both power- and speed-pass rushers.

Alabama's Chance Warmack (6’2”, 322) will probably be the first guard taken, but he may still be around at No. 17.  In draft-speak, Warmack is a classic road-grader, and he absolutely demolished Notre Dame linebacker Mante Te’o in January’s collegiate BCC championship game.

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