Much of the attention on where the Pittsburgh Steelers will go in the first round has focused on wide receiver, or maybe safety. But targeting offensive linemen is a Pittsburgh possibility, too, and worthy of further examination. Who could be in play at No. 21? Here are four names who fit the bill.
Monroe Freeling/OT Georgia
Cracking the starting lineup in 2025, Freeling protected the Bulldogs’ blindside after serving as the team’s swing tackle in previous years. A people-mover in the run game, Freeling displays great play strength and power in his hands. His size at 6-7, 315 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms is appealing, and his wide base makes him hard to get around in pass protection. Freeling is tough and played through multiple injuries even against the advice of coaches, gutting out an ankle injury for half of 2025.
It’s certainly possible Freeling is off the board before No. 21. He could go as high as No. 6 to Cleveland, though the Browns sent little representation to Georgia’s recent Pro Day. A smokescreen? Perhaps. If Freeling gets drafted behind Miami (FL)’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano, he could slip down into the early teens.
No one expected David DeCastro to fall to Pittsburgh in 2012, and few thought Troy Fautanu would make it to the Steelers in 2024. So don’t rule Freeling out. If he’s there at No. 21, he should be squarely in the conversation.
Blake Miller/OT Clemson
Miller has become a popular lineman to pair with Pittsburgh. A true left tackle, he could come in to satisfy concerns over Broderick Jones’ serious neck injury. Miller is a college right tackle and would probably have to flip sides, but he’s highly experienced and a quality athlete. He also just turned 22 years old.
Our scouting report compared him to Morgan Moses and called Miller a “Day One starter.” From a value standpoint, Miller could be top of the board when Pittsburgh’s on the clock.
Olaivavega Ioane/OG Penn State
Ioane is the most common and arguably most likely lineman Pittsburgh could grab in the first round. A plug-and-play left guard for a team that hasn’t replaced Isaac Seumalo, Ioane is the draft’s top interior lineman.
Our Tom Mead graded Ioane with an 8.9, just shy of All-Pro status. He’s big, strong, athletic and high character with 32 career starts. Guards are valued less than tackles, meaning Ioane could easily fall to Pittsburgh. Of course, as the clear No. 1 “true” guard in the class, any other needy team will have him on its radar, too.
Kadyn Proctor/OT Alabama
Mocked to Pittsburgh in Eric Edholm’s recent version, Proctor is a polarizing prospect in this year’s class. A mountain of a man, there’s debate over his weight, athleticism and if Proctor is best suited at guard or tackle. Proctor could kick inside to left guard and start out of the gate. We compared him to Mehki Becton, a similar-statured player who thrived at guard during a stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The above four aren’t the only names to mention. Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor and Utah’s Caleb Lomu are also worth mentioning, though I think their odds of coming to Pittsburgh are lower than the ones listed.