All five of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting offensive lineman from the 2023 campaign are expected to return. However, that does not
preclude the Steelers from strengthening the roster through NFL free agency. Offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is one player
Pittsburgh should have on its free agency wish list, according to Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey.
Eluemunor stands out due to his versatility across the offensive line and pass-blocking abilities, according to Tansey, who stated, “The
offensive line free-agent market is not great.”
It wouldn’t be as dramatic to sign Eluemunor as it would be to select an offensive tackle in the first round. Tansey countered that
Pittsburgh really needs it.
Tansey stated, “The Steelers do not need a flashy name on the offensive interior.” They require a player who can assist Pickett in
passing the ball to Pickens and company while also keeping him upright.
“Eluemunor meets that description and his price is more affordable than that of other elite free agents at offensive tackle, such as
Trent Brown, Tyron Smith, or Mike Onwenu.”
In 2023, Eluemunor made 14 starts for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jermaine Eluemunor’s Potential Versatility for the Steelers
For the previous two seasons, Eluemunor was able to settle in as the Raiders’ right tackle. Eluemunor’s seven-year career began in the
2022 season, the first in which he started more than eight games. Then in 2023 he repeated same action.
However, he started two games at left tackle in 2023. In 2022, he also started a game at right guard and a contest at left tackle.
Eluemunor joined the Baltimore Ravens as a fifth-round selection in 2017. He only played left and right guard as a rookie. Then, he
was used at left tackle in his second season.
In 2019, he played in just a few offensive plays during his first campaign with the New England Patriots. However, Eluemunor had
eight starts at left and right tackle combined in 2020.
With the exception of center, the 29-year-old could theoretically play any position for the Steelers.
Eluemunor has gotten better with age, based on his player grades on Pro Football Focus. The previous two years had the top two PFF
season grades in his career.
His position on Pittsburgh’s offensive line may determine whether or not he is an improvement in run blocking and pass protection.
Is Eluemunor a Steelers Stopgap Option?
The most widely circulated rumor surrounding Pittsburgh’s football team, aside from the quarterback controversy, is that the Steelers
may select an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft.
The Steelers have been linked to a number of options in mock drafts, including centers Jackson-Powers-Johnson and Sedrick Van
Pran, as well as tackles Amarius Mims and Taliese Fuaga.
The Steelers would most likely not choose an offensive tackle in the first round if they spent a significant amount of money on one in
free agency. However, Eluemunor is probably a less expensive free agent choice.
With a two-year contract, PFF estimated the experienced lineman’s average annual value to be $7.25 million.
Eluemunor would therefore enable the Steelers to retain their selection choices even though he might be an improvement.
With Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ first-round pick in 2023, Eluemunor would also give them versatility.
Although Jones is a natural left tackle, as a rookie he played primarily right tackle. The Steelers may insert Eluemunor at the position
opposite Jones wherever he plays because he can play both sides.
Dan Moore would probably no longer be Pittsburgh’s starting left tackle if Eluemunor signed. Since his debut in 2021, Moore has
started all but two games at left tackle. However, his outcomes have been inconsistent, and he is probably not a long-term fix.
The rookie agreement for Moore ends after the 2024 campaign.
Eluemunor may serve as a stopgap at left or right tackle as the Steelers look for a long-term Jones replacement.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
