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Pittsburgh Steelers 3 best offseason additions in 2022

By Russell S. Baxter

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Myles Jack #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Myles Jack #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 19: James Daniels #68 of the Chicago Bears awaits the snap against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on September 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Bengals 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 19: James Daniels #68 of the Chicago Bears awaits the snap against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on September 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Bengals 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers top offseason pickup no. 2: G James Daniels (Chicago Bears)

The Pittsburgh offensive line deteriorated quickly in recent years and is still looking to be a quality unit.

Following the 2020 season, nine-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey retired, right guard David DeCastro was cut loose, and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva was not re-signed and conversely joined the Baltimore Ravens.

Last offseason, then-general manager Kevin Colbert and the organization did their best to address this important area.

They added free-agent guard Trai Turner (now with the Washington Commanders) and drafted the likes of center Kendrick Green (3-Illinois) and tackle Dan Moore (4-Texas A&M).

Interestingly enough, the Steelers did not use any of their 2022 draft choices on the offensive line. But they did sign a pair of solid free agents via center Mason Cole (Vikings) and emerging James Daniels.

The latter spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears. He comes off a 2021 campaign in which he started all 17 games – the second time in three years he was in the opening lineup for every contest.

Daniels is currently the 19th-ranked guard by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His numbers show that he grades out higher as a run-blocker than a pass protector. And that’s good news for hard-charging running back Najee Harris.

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