Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was all smiles in his interview with NFL Network after the 2024 NFL Draft. After speaking glowingly on new wide receiver Roman Wilson, they turned their attention to the newly rebuilt offensive line, where the Steelers spent three of their top-five picks in the draft, including offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first, center Zach Frazier in the second and interior OL Mason McCormick.
“Coach, you drafted three offensive linemen, including one at the top there, Troy Fautanu. All of them love football, all of them passionate, all of them physical. Was continuing to address the offensive line a big key for you guys heading into this draft?”
“We just wanna roll people, man, to be honest with you guys. We have some backs that we like. We have a good offensive line. We took Broderick Jones a year ago. This draft pool or class we thought was really loaded with some top-end offensive line talent and we just wanted to draw from that well.” Draw from it, they did.
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There’s no doubt that running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are big-time winners here, as well as presumed starting quarterback Russell Wilson, who should benefit from the massive upgrade in pass protection. Wilson’s 83.5 PFF passing grade from a clean pocket ranked 19th among 50 quarterbacks in 2023.
“We want that confetti raining down on us,” Tomlin closed out by saying. This new offensive line will undoubtedly get them a bit closer to that.
