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Steelers Avoiding First-Round Center

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly do not want to go with a center in the opening round.

Noah Strackbein

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58)
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will not aim to draft a center during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, it is not in the team's plans to go after one of the top centers at pick No. 20.

"I’ve been told that they don’t want to take a center in the first round. Now that changes if everything’s gone and that’s still the best guy available there, but they’d much rather get their center in the second round or potentially third round," Kaboly said during an interview with 93.7 The Fan. "I mean, if you’re giving up a potential Broderick Jones part two to grab a center in the first round, there’s no guarantee you’re getting a Creed Humphrey. … So I’m going with tackle over center right now. Center’s tough."

The Steelers released 2023 starter Mason Cole once the offseason began, and have made it known they could look at Nate Herbig as an option. They currently pick 20th and 51st in the first two rounds of the draft, and they could be hoping one of the top names fall to them in the second round.

"I don’t know why you get rid of Mason Cole until you’re absolutely sure that you have somebody replacing him. Maybe they like [Nate] Herbig enough," Kaboly added.

The Steelers avoided meeting with Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier at the NFL Combine but did send offensive line coach Pat Meyer to Oregon's Pro Day and have reportedly set a local visit with Frazier. Graham Barton and Sedrick Van Pran have also been linked to them throughout the process.

Pittsburgh could look to add Cole back to their roster as a backup to Herbig if need be, but chances are they're ready to move on and find a long-term answer.

Maybe that will be Herbig, or maybe, they'll find that solution in the second or third rounds of the draft.

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Noah Strackbein

NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.