It may seem like the Pittsburgh Steelers were just putting the cap on their 2022 season but believe it or not Training Camp is right around the corner. As the Steelers prepare for their trip East to Latrobe, we’re getting ready too. We’ll be previewing the 90 players participating at St. Vincent College position by position. In this article we look at the interior offensive linemen.
Currently on the Roster
Ryan McCollum – 2nd year
William Dunkle – 1st year
Nate Herbig – 5th year
Isaac Seumalo – 8th year
Mason Cole – 6th year
James Daniels – 6th year
Kendrick Green – 3rd year
Kevin Dotson – 4th year
Spencer Anderson – Rookie
Ryan McCollum
Here’s a guy that fits the ‘versatility mode’ the Steelers are so fond of liking. McCollum has both guard and center experience. Like most of the guys here, his run blocking is better than his pass protection but he’s serviceable. Pretty good with his hands and brings some physicality too but he’s also very limited as an athlete.
William Dunkle
If football were played in a phone booth then Dunkle might be a guy you want almost immediately. He’s got those wide shoulders and hips and delivers big blows off the snap but where he runs into issues is when he gets in space. More athletic guys give him trouble in both the run and pass game.
Nate Herbig
When Herbig signed, the immediate thought was that Herbig would be an instant starter. While that may have been the case, he now finds himself in a fight for the top interior line reserve. He’s big and aggressive and fits the running game more than he does the passing game where he has some limitations. Don’t get me wrong, he has the ability to be a spot starter if needed, but I’m not sure he has the long-term starting ability that some thought he would have.
Isaac Seumalo
First off, I couldn’t believe this guy was still available in free agency before the Steelers grabbed him and secondly? I’m damn glad they did. Seumalo has tons of regular season and postseason experience. He’s physical, tough and gets after people. in other words, this is exactly the type of guy Mike Tomlin wanted to be up front. As of right now it sounds like he’s going to be penciled in at left guard which means Dotson becomes a reserve and Daniels remains at right guard. Personally, I don’t think it matters. This is a guy you run behind in nearly any situation.
Mason Cole
I have no problem at all being proven wrong and for the most part, I was wrong with Cole. I watched his tape from his previous stints in the NFL and I was very concerned about his abilities at center. That said, I feel that Cole had a very nice first season. Look, there were moments in pass protection where he was just flat-out beaten but largely he performed well. His run blocking is definitely his forte and that’s why he fits what the Steelers want to do offensively.
James Daniels
What a difference Daniels made on this offensive line. He had some hiccups in the early going but as the season wore on he proved exactly why the Steelers needed to go out and get him during free agency last year. Daniels is smart and a good communicator but he’s also terrific as a run blocker more than adequate as a pass protector. His versatility along the entire offensive front makes his presence even more valuable.
Kendrick Green
Sometimes there are just poor draft picks and this was one of them. Green really doesn’t deserve the hate he’s received because former Steelers’ OL Coach Adrian Klemm thought for sure Green could come in and be a starting center, which he was. The problem is that Green had just four starts in college at the position and that lack of experience was evident. Green is a fierce competitor but his physical limitations have proven difficult to overcome.
Kevin Dotson
Dotson has reached one of two points in his Steelers’ career. One, he has already done everything he can and it just hasn’t been enough and you trade him or Two, the Steelers believe he is a quality starter or top reserve. If you read certain websites that prize themselves as “grading experts” then you’ll see some that give Dotson some high marks. I can’t go that far. There were some really top-level moments from Dotson but the consistency isn’t there and the communication lapses happen far too often.
Spencer Anderson
Anderson will likely enter Training Camp rostered at the guard or center spot. He has experience at tackle but really doesn’t have the type of length you’d like to see at that position. Despite being drafted, Anderson was more than likely going to be available as a free agent but the Steelers liked him enough so they drafted him. His experience is hard to ignore but so too are some of the limitations. His footwork has to get better and he’ll need to really come on in at least one area of run blocking or pass blocking to have a shot.
Roster Projections
Daniels, Seumalo, Cole, Herbig, Dotson
McCollum, Dunkle, Anderson – Practice Squad
Green – Cut
