A veteran center would make sense for Steelers taken on the South Side (Steelers)

GETTY

Jason Kelce

With Maurkice Pouncey's retirement a little over a week ago, center has become a distinct position of need for the Steelers.

Because of the team's salary cap situation, it's assumed they would fill that need with a player in the draft. But given the potential relative inexperience of the team's offensive line in 2021, adding a veteran center on the cheap would make a lot more sense.

Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro's 124 starts are four times the number of starts the other potential starters will have combined -- assuming the team re-signs offensive tackle Zach Banner, as expected, and goes with tackle Chuks Okorafor and guard Kevin Dotson as the other starters.

Certainly, a rookie tackle taken in the first round would have a chance to start, as well, but that would only make the line even more inexperienced. After all, Okorafor's 19 career starts are second-most of the team's offensive linemen behind DeCastro.

And one of the things that made Pouncey so valuable was his communication, coupled with his ability to diagnose what opposing defenses were going to do.

A rookie center with a young offensive line that might include a rookie tackle would leave the Steelers with perhaps too much youth up front.

That, of course, doesn't mean the Steelers would pass on taking a center in the draft if presented with the option. But GM Kevin Colbert has done an excellent job in his tenure of filling all positions with a capable veteran -- maybe not a star, but someone with starting experience -- heading into the draft.

The thinking is always that if you have all your starting positions filled, you're less likely to reach for a certain position. Because of that, almost every season since Colbert became GM in 2000, the Steelers would have been capable of lining up and playing a game the day before the draft if they had to do so.

And if a rookie starts, it's because he's the best option.

With that in mind, the center position is one to keep an eye on when the 2021 free agency period begins.

The Steelers won't have a lot of money to play with, but they'll certainly have some. And these centers would make some sense for a team set on bargain shopping at a position that doesn't generally get overpaid.

Jason Kelce, Eagles -- You wouldn't think you'd see a four-time Pro Bowl player or three-time All-Pro on this list. But he's expected to be a salary cap casualty for the cash-strapped Eagles, who are in even worse shape than the Steelers. The 33-year-old will be a short-term rental for obvious reasons, but he's even more attractive as a player who has been released. Those players don't factor into your compensatory pick formula. And while Kelce isn't what he once was, he's still an above average player, particularly when it comes to run blocking. He also would be a great mentor to a young center.

Nick Easton, Saints -- Like Kelce, Easton was a cap casualty for a cash-strapped team, as the Saints released him last week. Easton has started games at both center and guard in his career, and the Saints thought enough of the 28-year-old to sign him to a four-year, $24-million deal a couple of years ago. He won't get that much money this time around. He's a better run blocker than pass blocker, but he's capable in both areas.

Ben Garland, 49ers -- Garland has appeared in 68 career games, with just 15 of them being starts, but the 32-year-old did start the Super Bowl for the 49ers two years ago. Like Easton, he's played both center and guard. And he played with new assistant offensive line coach Chris Morgan for three seasons in Atlanta. He's always been considered an above-average run blocker. Pro Football Focus estimates he can be had on a one-year deal worth $2.25 million.

Alex Mack, Falcons -- Mack's best days are obviously behind him. But the 35-year-old remains one of the best run-blocking centers in the league. He would be the perfect fit for a team that drafts its center of the future and allows that player to learn for a year behind a veteran war horse. PFF estimates a one-year, $6-million deal will land Mack. If his number comes in a little lower than that, the Steelers could afford him.

Austin Reiter, Chiefs -- At 29, Reiter still has some good football ahead of him. The Chiefs claimed him off waivers in 2018 — the Browns had released him — and he's now started 32 games over the past three seasons, including 16 in 2019 and 12 in 2020. But Kansas City will be looking to seriously upgrade its line after its Super Bowl loss. Reiter is better in pass protection than he is run blocking -- despite what things looked like in the Super Bowl. PFF estimates a two-year, $9.5-million deal will land him.

That's just a smattering of a look at the position. There will be more players cut loose in the coming weeks as teams continue to get their rosters in order in preparation for the start of the new league year.

The Steelers also could look at the tight end position as one in which to add a veteran player on the cheap.

Keep an eye on what happens with former Pittsburgh draft pick Jesse James, who could be released by the Lions, Tyler Eifert, who did not have his option picked up by the Jaguars, and the Packers' Marcedes Lewis, who is still an effective player despite now being 37. The Titans' MyCole Pruitt or Chris Manhertz of the Panthers also would fit the bill as excellent run-blocking tight ends who won't break the bank.

Loading...
Loading...