Carter's Classroom draft profile: Conor McDermott, offensive tackle

Arguably the position which the Steelers will address the least with the draft and free agency following their selections will be on the offensive line. Still, the retirement of Ryan Harris at offensive tackle will thrust both Chris Hubbard and Jerald Hawkins into more immediate replacement roles on the depth chart.

This may lead to the Steelers finding an offensive tackle to both groom and keep on the roster should the offensive line befall multiple injuries and need more depth.

However, that is a concern that ranks extremely low on the priority list of Kevin Colbert, and wouldn't be addressed until the later rounds, if at all, in this draft.

Because of that, we put together on a potential diamond in the rough, Conor McDermott of UCLA:



What attracts attention to McDermott is his unmistakable size advantage on the line. He's 6-8, 307 pounds, just one inch shorter than the Steelers' current starter at left tackle, Alejandro Villanueva. 

What makes him not that good of a prospect is how he has not shown the production value that one would expect of a player at that size in the NCAA. He does not look like he boasts elite strength.

PASS BLOCKING ASSET

McDermott comes in handy against edge rushers because he has the length to help neutralize those who might be faster on the edge. Watch how he gets in position on this play and holds his ground just enough for the quarterback to make his read and throw:



He needs to sink his hips a little more and get his hands inside of the edge rusher, but his feet get him in position enough to fight off his man.

What stands out about McDermott on tape is that he doesn't seem to get confused by opponents when they throw exotic blitzes at him and he has the wherewithal to play both left and right tackle.

Watch here as Utah smoothly executes a twist rush on his edge, but McDermott turns it away without hesitation:



Pass protection against different blitz looks is McDermott's strength, which is really what any team is looking for in an offensive tackle. But he has many issues that would need to be worked out before he could be a proficient starter in the NFL.

LIABILITIES

McDermott also is known because he's good at pulling and getting out in space. The problem is that he doesn't finish the job when he gets out there.

Watch how he goes to the flat to pick off a corner in an attempt to set up the screen but fails to make the block:



When a lineman sees a defensive back as his target they generically think of the phrase "fresh meat" or "happy birthday" because it's a small person that they can absolutely punish and get a highlight from a crushing hit.

McDermott makes initial contact but is ultimately shoved out of the way by the cornerback who joins in on making the tackle. There's so many bad things about this play that McDermott had to get chewed up for this in the film room after the game.

But not finishing his assignment is something that McDermott could be criticized a lot for as it seems to be a trait on his resume after watching multiple games of his tape.

Watch on this running play as he gets in position to make the play, but ultimately dips his head down on his opponent:



McDermott was rarely, if ever, the tackle used to develop the point of attack for the running game. His fit in the UCLA scheme was as a pass protector and not being horrible enough to let a backside linebacker cross his face and be in on stopping a play that doesn't even go to that side of the field.

STEELERS' STOCK

As it stands, the Steelers absolutely could get away without drafting an offensive lineman at all, and probably should go with that unless a prospect from the middle rounds drops to the sixth or seventh round and there's no other player the Steelers really cared for.

McDermott isn't that, but he's a guy who could be taken in the very late rounds and be groomed by arguably the best offensive line coach in the league, Mike Munchak.

Then again, he could also end up being an undrafted free agent whom the Steelers sign after the draft like they did for B.J. Finney.