Steelers Doomed To Repeat Offensive Line Process With Defensive Line Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have massively overhauled their offensive line in recent years, and it was something that was desperately needed. Their unit upfront was neglected for several seasons throughout a time period where that specific positional group was one of the best in the league, resulting in the lack of a need to revamp the group. However, that came around and ended up hurting them in the long run as the line eventually fell apart, due to aging veterans declining and/or retiring without any reinvestment prior to it happening. 

With the recent additions via free agency and the NFL Draft, the Steelers are anticipated to have one of the better units around the league yet again. Even last season, they took a step forward after signing Isaac Seumalo to a big deal and spending a first round draft pick on Broderick Jones, but they doubled down this year spending their first and second round picks on Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier respectively. 

The team finally reinvesting in the offensive line corrected the mistakes ignoring the group from years past, but it appears they may be making the same mistake again on the other side of the ball. 

Along the defensive line, the Steelers have had a relatively dominant front for the last 5-10 years or so, mainly since the addition of Cameron Heyward after they selected him in the first round out of Ohio State in 2011. However, besides the addition of Keeanu Benton last year in the second round, there has been little investment for the position group outside of some mid and late round picks. 

In responding to a question in his weekly chat regarding the lack of a "plug up the middle" defender being on the roster after the majority of free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft passing, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expressed some serious concern over the lack of investment to the defensive line group. 

"Just Benton and [Montravius] Adams. I get Benton, he's very good. But re-signing Adams was just keeping what you already have, and that's just mediocre. You better hope the Steelers spend the next two seasons paying attention to the defensive line the way they have paid attention to the offensive line the past two years."

Most would agree with Dulac that there will need to be some urgency on addressing the defensive line soon, as the previously mentioned Heyward could be wrapping up what has been a Hall of Fame worthy career in 2024. Even if he does return in 2025, which is far from given, he was less effective in 2023 due to a nagging injury and that was felt throughout the defense. 

The Steelers don't have the same style of defense that most of Steeler Nation remembers from their all-time great defenses of the late 2000s, but that is due to the changing of offensive philosophy over the years. It is rare to see many players with the build of true nose tackles like Casey Hampton in today's NFL, and that has likely led to some of the lack of urgency in adding someone with that skillset. 

Steelers Have A Decision To Make On Multiple Young Defensive Linemen This Summer

The Steelers now have three young defensive linemen who they have spent mid or late round picks on who will likely be fighting for one spot this summer. Those three are Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, and Logan Lee. Both Loudermilk and Leal were chosen under the Kevin Colbert regime in 2021 and 2022, while Lee is the second defensive lineman selected under Omar Khan after the previously mentioned Benton. 

Up until this point in their careers, both Loudermilk and Leal have failed to make much of an impact on the defensive side of the ball. The team traded up for Loudermilk in 2021 by sacrificing a 2022 fourth round pick to select him in the fifth round, and so far, he hasn't made much of an impression. Leal was always an interesting pick due to being a bit of a outside linebacker and defensive end, but his talent in college was always cited as a reason for him to be given a chance. 

One thing is for certain, if one of those three young defensive linemen don't prove to be worth a role on the defensive line this season, there will be significant turnover and investment in 2025 and beyond. Hopefully that isn't too late.