Steelers Missed Their Best Chance At Center Already: 'Bring Back Mason Cole'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the 2024 offseason improving their roster piece by piece to make sure they build on a strong finish to the 2023 campaign. Bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were big moves that gave the Steelers an immediate upgrade to the quarterback room, but they also have to keep those passers upright. Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers could be looking to bulk up their offensive line again after trading up in the first round for Broderick Jones in 2023. While many believe the Steelers should find their center for the future, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly disagrees.

After a less-than-satisfying two seasons for the Steelers, Mason Cole will not be returning at center beyond his mediocre 2023 season. Bad snaps and inconsistency doomed Cole's time in Pittsburgh, opening up a glaring need for the Steelers to fill before the 2024 season.

Kaboly was on The Joe Starkey Show on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday, talking about Pittsburgh's options at the top of the 2024 draft. While center needs to be addressed, Kaboly doesn't see the Steelers going that way, at least not early. Kaboly was asked what the Steelers should do at center in general and, as always, he didn't hold back.

"That's the question. Bring back Mason Cole."

Kaboly followed that up by giving his perspective on the Steelers' draft strategy and how they could fill those holes on the offensive line. Despite players like Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier at center who could be available when the Steelers pick, Kaboly has tackle much higher on his list and he believes the Steelers do as well.

"Absolutely a tackle. I think that's a no-brainer and what I'm under the -- not even under the assumption, under the belief... that they don't want to have to take a center in the first round. Now, that changes if everything's gone, and that's still the best guy available there. But they'd rather much get their center in the second round or potentially third round. I mean, if you're giving up a potential Broderick Jones part two to grab a center in the first round, I mean, there's no guarantee you're getting a Creed Humphrey. I would say you have to lean towards tackle. 'Cause, hey, Dan Moore [Jr.] is a free agent next year, and like him or not, that means you either have to pay him or go find somebody else. So, I'm going with tackle over center right now."

Whether the Steelers agree with Kaboly or end up shoring up that middle of the line, there is plenty of reason to believe that the offensive line is being prioritized ahead of other positions. Until the 2024 NFL Draft actually occurs, it is all guesswork, but the 2024 Steelers should be much more prepared to protect whichever quarterback is throwing the ball. With Jones, Isaac Seumalo, and James Daniels already forming a solid group, bringing in two more reliable pieces to that unit would be a huge step towards contending in Pittsburgh again.

Steelers Have Options At Center In The Draft

While Kaboly may not see the 2024 NFL Draft as the best option for the Steelers to find their center for the future, there are prospects who could prove him wrong. The Steelers have had Powers-Johnson on their radar for some time, and with the negative way Cole's play impacted the 2023 season, they could see the need as pressing. Frazier, out of West Virginia, has been another popular name, but even if neither of those names are available, it doesn't mean the Steelers are out of options.

Omar Khan and Andy Weidl want to build up the trenches, and Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran or Beaux Limmer out of Arkansas would both be excellent fits if the front office decides they would address the need. Pittsburgh recognized Broderick Jones as a perfect match in the 2023 NFL Draft, and a trade enabled them to get their man. If they feel confident in a center during the draft, then another big move to get their guy could be on the way.

Who will be the starting center for the 2024 Steelers?