Former $50 Million Starting Lineman Wanted by Steelers
There are many offense-related elements of the Pittsburgh Steelers that could be held accountable for the team’s sluggish start to the 2023 season. That applies to both players and coaches.
The Bleacher Report, however The offensive line, according to NFL experts, is the root of Pittsburgh’s offensive issues. The BR staff advised the Steelers to sign experienced offensive guard La’el Collins in free agency with that in mind.
The offensive line is still the main source of the issue, so signing La’el Collins would give the Steelers access to him when he becomes healthy and can take Chukwuma Okorafor’s spot, according to the BR staff.
In December 2022, Collins had a left ACL and MCL tear. On September 27, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler claimed that the seasoned lineman has received a medical clearance to play again.
La’el Collins’ Potential Benefits for the Steelers
Fowler claimed that “about a dozen or so teams” had inquired about Collins. It’s not hard to understand why.
Along the offensive line, Collins has always been a dependable starter. He played left guard to start his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before switching to right tackle.
From 2015 to 21 he started 71 games for the Cowboys. Before getting hurt, he started 15 games for the Cincinnati Bengals in the previous season.
Collins has consistently performed very well in the player rankings at Pro Football Focus, despite never making the Pro Bowl. Among offensive linemen that participated in at least 50% of his team’s offensive snaps in 2019, Collins was ranked sixth best by PFF.
Collins was ranked No. 13 in the same group of players by PFF in 2021.
He didn’t receive a strong overall PFF grade last season as a result of his weak pass protection. He nevertheless performed admirably in run blocking, per PFF.
What Role Collins Could Play For The Steelers
Collins won’t help Pittsburgh’s main vulnerability, based on how he did pass blocking last year. The Steelers’ pass protection grade from PFF is the poorest going into Week 5.
Collins has continued to be a run blocker who performs far above average, which might be a valuable asset for the Steelers.
Early in the season, Pittsburgh’s starting offensive tackles had a lot of difficulty. Chukwuma Okorafor, the right tackle, is not among PFF’s top 40 offensive tackles for pass protection or run blocking.
According to PFF ratings, left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has performed even worse, but the Steelers have first-round rookie Broderick Jones to take his place. Week 5’s game against the Baltimore Ravens will have the rookie starting because Moore has a knee injury.
Collins might then take Okorafor’s place on the Steelers.
Although Pittsburgh’s offence could use more explosive passing plays, it would be important if Collins’ presence improved the running game. Last season, the Steelers averaged 146 rushing yards per game while winning seven of their final nine games.
The Steelers are averaging less than 79 rushing yards per game this season.
But it’s uncertain whether Collins would be of interest to Pittsburgh. None of the 12 teams that Fowler said made inquiries about the 30-year-old were mentioned.
For Heavy.com, sports correspondent Dave Holcomb covers the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Holcomb, a native of Pittsburgh, has covered college and pro sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Info on Dave Holcomb
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