In a couple of stories about Steelers rookie Najee Harris in recent weeks, we've debated how he might fare behind an offensive line that's declined in recent years. After yet another hit taken by that group yesterday, I'm starting to side with the skeptics.
Pittsburgh released two-time All-Pro guard David DeCastro on Thursday; he's also been selected to the Pro Bowl in six straight seasons. He's been about as reliable on this team as you can get, starting all but seven games over the past eight seasons. This isn't a cap move; the 31-year-old has been dealing with an ankle issue and is reportedly considering retirement.
As recently as 2018, Pittsburgh sent three-fifths of its offensive line starters to the Pro Bowl, and in 2019, they had two Pro Bowlers and three others who combined to start 46 of a possible 48 games. But it's been a steady decline since then, and a brutal offseason. None of those five 2019 starters are still on the roster.
| STEELERS OFFENSIVE LINE, 2018-PRESENT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| LT | Alejandro Villanueva | Pro Bowl | 16G | 16G | Baltimore |
| LG | Ramon Foster | 16G | 14G | Retired | Retired |
| C | Maurkice Pouncey | Pro Bowl | Pro Bowl | Pro Bowl | Retired |
| RG | David DeCastro | Pro Bowl | Pro Bowl | Pro Bowl | Retired? |
| RT | Matt Feiler | 10G | 16G | LG (13G) | Los Angeles |
With Pouncey retiring this offseason and Villanueva and Feiler headed for free agency, it seemed likely the team would use one of their top picks on a lineman in a strong draft in that regard. Instead, they drafted Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth with their first two picks, selecting linemen in the third and fourth rounds. Maybe those guys -- Kendrick Green and Dan Moore -- start quickly, but it definitely looks like a suspect 2021 group. Probably Chukwuma Okorafor and Zach Banner at tackle, and Kevin Dotson and JC Hassenauer at two interior spots. Okorafor started all of last year, at least, but the next Pro Bowl for any of those guys will be their first.
In the wake of the DeCastro news, Pittsburgh signed Trai Turner. He'll probably start at guard; he was a standout with Carolina, going to 5 Pro Bowls. But he flopped with the Chargers last year, battling injuries and appearing in only 9 games before being released (replaced in the offseason, ironically enough, by Feiler). If healthy, he'll be a nice addition, softening the blow of DeCastro's departure. But that health can't be counted on.
As I've said, I think Harris can be an effective PPR back even if Pittsburgh doesn't get its running game going (it seems likely they won't). Even if his rushing numbers are poor, he can catch a few short passes each game and score the majority of the team's rushing touchdowns.
But the line in front of him -- almost certainly a bottom-5 group -- is a huge concern, not only for him but even moreso for 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger. How is he going to stay in one piece, and what happens to the team's pass catchers if he's sidelined? The potential for an ugly final season for Big Ben and company.
--Andy Richardson