The 2024 NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers was always supposed to be heavy on the offensive line. Everyone who paid attention to team needs expected that, but what they might not have known is the team drafting offensive line three times among their seven total draft picks.

Needless to say, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has to be brimming with excitement to get some of these new pieces along the offensive front to help pave the way for his offense in Pittsburgh.

“You know, any great team I’ve been around, it’s always going to start up front. There’s obviously so many important pieces, but when you want to play a certain brand of football, Steelers brand of football, it certainly helps to have the right guys.”

Beefing up the line doesn’t always happen right away, and by design. Nonetheless, the overhaul on the line has been taking place the past two offseasons with the additions of Broderick Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft and Isaac Seumalo in free agency. There are times when you have to hope things go your way, and it certainly happened that way in this year’s draft.

“Sometimes in the draft, a lot of great players and, selfishly, certainly things break your way, and they feel like that, last night, and today or tonight.” Smith said. “But I’m just really excited to get a chance to work with both of them. And, you know, even Broderick [Jones], still early in his career as well. There’s a lot of guys, Isaac [Seumalo], all these linemen. I’m really fired up to get a chance to work with them.”

Of all the new pieces Smith will get to work with in Pittsburgh, the top two picks in the 2024 draft are likely the ones who top the list. The additions of Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier in Rounds 1 and 2 are hopefully the finishing pieces of the offensive line puzzle the Steelers haven’t been able to complete the past several years.

“I’m excited about it. I’ve been fortunate enough to coach a lot of great young players and previously stopped. These guys have a lot of experience. Both Zach and Troy.” Smith added. “They played a lot of snaps as they’re not that green. There’s always a learning curve getting into the National Football League, but there’s a lot of guys that have been here and it’ll sort itself out. I certainly appreciate the investment and they’re all really top end players who know right. It’s our job to help them reach their potential and really the chemistry with the entire line and how they fit.”

Getting this young offensive line together could equate to cohesion for years to come, but it all starts with staying healthy and getting everyone on the same page as soon as possible.

“I think that chemistry and fit and those guys, some of those guys grow together. You want to make everyone love to play every snap and to stay healthy but to continue to develop. The back end of the roster always and the consistency that definitely helps.”

The Steelers offensive line might be young, but they absolutely are brimming with talent. Will Smith, and his coaching staff, be able to get the Steelers line back to the level of dominance fans expect? Only time will tell, and it starts with rookie minicamp this weekend, so be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team.