Former Steelers OG Trai Essex Strongly Opposed To Drafting 1st Round Tackle

As the season progressed, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line showed significant improvement, prompting some to question the need for selecting an offensive lineman in the first round. Trai Essex, a former two-time Super Bowl-winning guard for the team, fully endorses last year's unit and suggests that the team should focus on other positions during day one of the NFL Draft, given the free agent additions made to the line this offseason.

During his recent appearance on The PM Team on 93.7 the Fan, Essex discussed his perspective on this year's offensive linemen class and shared his recommendations for what General Manager Omar Khan should do with his pick on Thursday night with co-hosts Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller.

"Y'all called me to talk about offensive tackles, but I really don't want to draft one at that spot," he said. "If I was Omar, I would look at the defensive back or defensive tackle specifically. I want someone to come in there to give Cam [Heyward] another two to three years out of this. If we do decide to trade up, I'd like to get a defensive tackle."

Essex may have been trying to dance around the rumor the Steelers are trying to land Georgia defensive tackle, Jalen Carter, but Fillippni asked him straight up if Carter starts to slip, does he want him and the answer was an empathetic yes. 

"I don't have any concerns about his character and I haven't really heard anything outside the car accident thing," he said. "I love the way he plays ball and he would be the perfect complement to our defense. He can help extend Cam's career and make our defensive line as good as it has been. If we're making any trade-up, I'm on board for that one." 

Steelers' Essex Defense Of The Tackles

Essex confidently asserts that the Steelers will maintain their position with the formidable, but growing combination of Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor. Furthermore, the addition of Isaac Seumalo to the team will undoubtedly knock Kevin Dotson to the bench in 2023, further solidifying their roster. Additionally, Essex staunchly defends both tackles, saying he sees something in both of them.

"I think his footwork is there and he's got a nice punch," Essex said about Moore. "He just needs to get stronger in the lower body so he can anchor against some of those power moves. I think that's his issue. He gets a short edge when somebody presses his shoulder and he can't ward them off because his lower body is lacking some strength. If he spends the offseason really strengthening that core and that lower body, ultimately he'll be fine."

Although Okarafor has not received as much criticism as Moore, there are still questions about his position on the team if the Steelers draft Darnell Wright, who is primarily a right tackle. As Okarafor is signed through 2024, the team will need to consider their options carefully. 

"I thought he really hit his stride on the right and him at camp last year or a couple of years ago didn't exude a lot of confidence in me," he said of Okarafor. "I think he's coming into his own and I want him to be comfortable."

The Steelers are searching for a game-changer in the first round of the draft, but Essex believes that they could also find talented tackles like Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse or Anton Harrison from Oklahoma in later rounds. Therefore, they should consider acquiring their next Cam Heyward on day one.

Do you think the tackles showed enough this year that with the upgrade at guard, the Steelers can look defense in round one? Comment below.   

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