The Pittsburgh Steelers once again find themselves with a lot of needs heading into the new season. During the 2023 campaign, the defense was decimated by injuries, especially at the inside linebacker position. The offense had its share of struggles as they managed to find themselves in a quarterback controversy despite initially thinking they had their guy in Kenny Pickett. Then, there were the players that underperformed or just weren't a good fit for the team and the top of that list almost has to be center.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett with former center Mason Cole.
The Steelers released Mason Cole shortly after the end of the season after only two years in Pittsburgh. Cole, who came to Pittsburgh after playing for both the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals, had a decent first season in 2022. However, it is impossible to pretend that Cole didn't make 2023 that much harder on Pickett. The young quarterback dealt with bad snaps and Cole's subpar blocking. The fact that his name got said so often during games was not a good thing.
The 2024 NFL Draft is said to be a good one for centers as there are several quality linemen to choose from. However, the Steelers have significant needs on the offensive line and could also look to pick a veteran up in free agency to allow for competition. Pro Football Focus (PFF) agrees and Dalton Wasserman recently released a list of "Perfect Fit Free Agents For All 32 NFL Teams" and selected a center for the Steelers, Lloyd Cushenberry III from the Denver Broncos.
"Much is being said about the Steelers quarterback situation this offseason. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, they won't stand a chance to succeed unless their offensive line significantly improves. The draft figures to be a place to find reinforcements, but they should still look for veteran help. Pittsburgh recently cut center Mason Cole, leaving the spot up for grabs. Denver's Lloyd Cushenberry III could be a nice fit in Arthur Smith's outside-zone run game if the Steelers can afford him. Cushenberry posted a solid 84.6 run-blocking grade when running outside zone in 2023, the sixth-best mark among all centers," wrote Wasserman.
Cushenberry was drafted in 2020 in the third round and has been solid for the Broncos. It took him some time to find his footing in the NFL and despite starting as a rookie, he did not have a positive impact initially. After suffering an injury in his third season, he got the Pickett treatment and did not get handed his job back after his backup outperformed him.
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III.
Being sidelined motivated him and he came back in 2023 better than ever. He controlled the line of scrimmage, was a huge asset in the run game and rarely gave up pressures in passing situations.
Steelers Won't Find Cushenberry In The Bargain Bin
The Steelers are not the team that always goes out and makes huge splash plays in free agency. They tend to find the quality players no one is talking about and make them great or at least good. While Cushenberry isn't making the biggest splash in free agency, he is certainly getting a lot of attention. The Broncos can't afford to keep him as they have themselves in a cap nightmare after paying Russell Wilson.
Ethan Miller | Credit: Getty Images
The Denver Broncos will not use their franchise tag on center Lloyd Cushenberry III.
Cushenberry did himself a favor by performing so well in 2023. PFF projects him to get paid about $12.5 million a year. His outstanding play also has him getting looks from a lot of teams who didn't even know who he was in 2022.
Lloyd Cushenberry is by far the most underrated free agent in this years FA class.
— Cooper (@cooperhopcraft) March 3, 2024
2023 at just 26 years old:
- 1 sack allowed
- 4 qb hits allowed
- 14 pressures allowed
- 76.4 PFF pass block grade
All on 1070 snaps in 2023. Vital get for any team that needs IOL help.
While the Steelers are not in a cap nightmare like the Broncos, they are a team that is more likely to spread the money around and, with a defense that is one of the highest-paid in the league, it's hard to see them paying Cushenberry. However, if the Steelers are really planning to make a go of it with Pickett in 2024, they need to remove all excuses and ensure he is set up for success. A top-tier center needs to be number one on that list.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and running back Najee Harris.
Do you think the Steelers would consider Cushenberry? Do you think he is a good fit with our offense? How about with new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith? Do you think they should draft a center or get one in free agency or both? What do you think was out biggest issue on offense? Click to comment below.
#SteelerNation
