Today, I wanted to look at interior offensive line prospects (IOL) in the upcoming draft. Many people think Pittsburgh will look to improve at center, so I wanted to focus on IOL prospects there. The graph beneath is 2024 PFF Grades and current positions on PFF’s Large Board (BB) that updates through the draft cycle:
The top in general IOL on PFF’s ongoing board is Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson (at number 22), the main first rounder. Each of the 829 snaps came at focus in 2023, with a 84.3 in general grade (OVR). Pleasant 90.6 pass block grade (PBLK). 80 or more run block (RBLK), zone grade (ZONE), and in evident pass sets (TPS). Decent 70.2 hole grade (Hole). He had 893 snaps at focus the last three seasons, for the most part RG 2021-’22 (430 snaps), and a touch of LG/RT snaps as well. Our own Jonathan Heitritter and Ross McCorkle covered the Senior Bowl, expressing he was obviously a top player there: a frightful run blocker, strong pass defender, and a manageable distance an uncommon con on a potential Pittsburgh fit.
Zach Frazier of West Virginia (41) played 100 percent at focus the most recent three years, 800 or more in each. In 2023, 70 or more in PBLK, OVR, RBLK, and Hole, with ZONE and TPS grades in the 60’s. He posted and 80.8 OVR in 2022, 77.5 in ’21, each obscuring his imprint this season. The Senior Bowl welcome rehearsed limitedly, yet was sadly dormant for the game (leg injury). In the connected report, Alex Kozora depicted a strong, balanced player with a high-floor, however missing actual qualities to arrive at top pick potential likely.
Connecticut’s Christian Haynes (53) played each snap at RG the most recent three years, obscuring 800 in each. His best grade of 2023 was 89.2 ZONE, with 80 or more PBLK, RBLK, and 80.2 OVR. Lower marks were 74.7 TPS and 64.5 Hole. He had a more grounded 83.9 OVR in 2022. According to McCorkle, Haynes was named the Senior Bowl OL player of the week for his impressive play across the line. He also started at RG in the game (American team). Positive run blocking was noted early, including a second-level block, but a pass rep was lost and a run tackle was allowed for a loss.
Boston School’s Christian Mahogany (91) fundamentally played RG with 826 snaps last season. Before missing all of 2022 (torn leg tendon), he played each of the 706 snaps at RG, with a 82.7 OVR (74.9 in 2023). 80 or more PBLK and TPS, with 70 or more RBLK and Hole, with a lower 67.3 ZONE in 2023. Mahogany began at LG for the East group in the Hallowed place Bowl. Noticed a few battles including permitted pressure, getting pushed back, whiffing, as well as a puller on numerous reps.
Cooper Beebe of Kansas State rounds out the top 100 (98). He played generally LG the most recent three years, especially from 2022-’23 (919, 819). occupied a variety of positions (except for center). 734 LT snaps in 2021 (best 85.4 OVR), 100 or more at RT in 2023. 80 or more OVR in each season. In 2023, 90 or more TPS and PBLK, solid 80 or more ZONE, and high 70 RBLK and Hole. Beebe was a Senior Bowl welcome, yet decided not to take an interest.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger of Georgia is 114 on the Enormous Board, which would be in a fourth-round determination. In the linked scouting report from day two, Heitritter gave him a much higher rating because of his experience, athleticism for scheme versatility, and run block aggressiveness. However, pass pro needs work. All middle snaps the most recent three years (850 or more in each), and best 77.9 OVR in 2023. 80 or more PBLK, 70 or more RBLK, ZONE, and TPS, with a 66.7 Hole. Likewise a Senior Bowl welcome that pulled out.
Michigan’s Zak Zinter (121) played generally at RG there the last three seasons. 70 or higher grades in OVR, RBLK, PBLK, ZONE, and GAP, but a 63.8 TPS in 2023. He experienced a messed up leg before the public title, rehabbing since and through the top pick game interaction (Senior Bowl welcome), seeming set to turn out for groups at the join.
Arkansas’ Beaux Limmer (127) played basically at RG in 2021-’22, before focus turning into his 2023 spot. He had 70 or more RBLK, Hole, OVR, and ZONE last year, however poor 61.5 PBLK, and prominently awful 40.1 TPS. Tom Mead, who works for us, said that Pittsburgh likes more length than Limmer does. By winning impressively in one-on-one matches at the Senior Bowl, McCorkle believed he raised his draft stock. I got some good runs and passes in the game, but I also gave up a pressure and a sack and was pushed back or gave up a tackle in the run game.
Drake Nugent of Michigan (151) played 100 percent at focus the most recent three years. Reliable OVR in that range. had more than 70 PBLK, OVR, RBLK, GAP, and ZONE in 2023, with a lower 63.0 TPS (a little bit higher than average). McCorkle deduced in the connected exploring report Nugent probably fitting more in a hole conspire, scrutinizing the fit in external zone that Steelers OC Arthur Smith runs, taking into account Nugent has battled against physicality.
Colleague Trevor Keegan lands at 177, which would be the principal IOL of the 6th round. To a great extent LG for the Wolverines, giving a touch of time at LT in 2022. 80.7 PBLK was his best grade in 2023, with 70 or more TPS, and low-60 Hole, RBLK, and ZONE grades. Partaken in the primary day of the Senior Bowl, apparently faring great, however experienced back fits and quit the remainder of the week.
Penn State’s Tracker Nourzad (184) saw snap flexibility the most recent three years. Almost selective at tackle in 2021 (458 RT, 170 LT), then, at that point, 535 at LG in 2022, and each of the 784 snaps at focus this season. In 2023, 70 or more ZONE, RBLK, and OVR. Good 60 or more Hole grade, yet poor 61.9 PBLK and 52.1 TPS. The Holy place Bowl member was named a middle champion by our own Joe Clark, showing power in one-on-ones. Nourzad had a strong game as well, drearily winning in my notes in both run and pass.
Miami’s Javion Cohen (195) played only at LG the last three seasons. He had the least 59.4 OVR among the gathering in 2023. A 70 or more PBLK was his best grade, yet TPS, ZONE, RBLK, and terrible Hole all arrived in the 50-territory. A few have highlighted areas of strength for a Bowl week for Cohen, yet wasn’t referenced in the Steelers Terminal roundtable digital broadcast, or in my game notes.
Dylan McMahon of NC State (206) played along the IOL the last three seasons. For the most part watch in 2021 (491 LG, 313 RG), all spots in 2022 (415 RG, 290 C, 115 LG), then, at that point, exclusively focus in 2023 (684). Last season, 70 or more TPS, ZONE, and PBLK, upper-60 RBLK, yet somewhat less than ideal 58.1 Hole. Clark noticed a strong week and underestimated Hallowed place Bowl execution (West group). Regardless of size concerns, noted generally dominates in my match notes. Run blocks on huge additions (expanding openings), decent pass impeding, however had an unlawful man downfield punishment in the red zone.
Andrew Raym of Oklahoma (227) starts the future seventh rounders. Stringently focus the most recent three years, with 60 or more PBLK, TPS, OVR, Hole, and RBLK, however high-50 ZONE grade (sub optimal). Heitritter named him a “must watch the tape” and expected fit in Smith’s offense from Senior Bowl inclusion as a later choice, yet size is a worry. All over game notes: enjoying his run blocking and reaching the second level, but he was also defeated (especially by pass pro). Permitted three tensions, two were QB hits, and the other brought about an interference.
Texas A&M’s Layden Robinson (232) played each snap the most recent three years at RG. Best OVR grade came in 2021 (80.7). 70-plus ZONE, 65.9 OVR, high-60 RBLK, and below-average grades in PBLK, GAP, and TPS by 2023 He played in the Senior Bowl (American group), winning most of reps in my notes. Run blocks included pull, combo, and one more in addition to work to the whistle, and strong pass blocks. Permitted two tensions, however had a pleasant late recuperation on one of them.
Tanor Bortolini of Wisconsin (238) played along the line, with the exception of LT. 2021 saw the most playing time at RT with 229 (the best 87.0 OVR by far), 2022 saw more variety (411 LG, 163 RG, 74 C), and 2023 saw all 868 playing time at center. Last season, 80 or more PBLK, high-70 TPS, 60 or more OVR, Hole, and RBLK, yet 56.4 ZONE (less than ideal). Beginning LG at the Senior Bowl (Public group), noticing a few decent wins especially in pass genius, yet noticed an unfortunate objective line run block.
Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun (253) was totally a middle the most recent three years. 800 or more snaps in both 2021-’22, then 246 of every 2023 (high lower leg sprain). He was the Public groups’ beginning community in the Senior Bowl, noticing a modest bunch of noteworthy successes in both run and pass, including a hotcake. Stepping on the quarterback’s foot was a bad move that resulted in a recovered fumble.
LSU’s Charles Turner (257) saw expanded open doors the most recent two years, with 750 or more snaps at focus in each. In 2023, 80.2 PBLK, 70 or more TPS, 60-territory ZONE, OVR, and RBLK, and somewhat sub optimal 58.2 Hole grades. All over Senior Bowl, remembering a pleasant late success for pass ace, however two tensions permitted and wavered as a run blocker.
A move up to the position would be invited, and ideally Pittsburgh will support the position room in the 2023 draft. I hope you enjoyed and learned something from the grade data and all-star game notes, even though the Big Board will undoubtedly change.
Leave a Reply