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A shock lede...the Steelers have drafted heavily and highly along their offensive line in recent years. Two first-rounders (Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro), two second-rounders (Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams).
In that same time frame, more or less, the Steelers bolstered their defensive lines with late first-round picks spent on Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward.
Those who are last shall be first in the changing face of the Steelers' roster.
It was Steve McLendon and Ramon Foster, undrafted free agents, who got contracts this offseason.
Foster was among the first players the Steelers signed this offseason, and McLendon got a three-year deal after the Packers had McLendon in for a visit, forcing the Steelers to raise the pot. They had given McLendon a low-level contract in restricted free agency, one that did not carry with it any compensation if he was to leave for another team.
McLendon is switching from good to great
Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon feels so confident in his abilities, he's speaking in third person and comparing himself to some of the best nose tackles of this generation.
Brett Keisel, a former seventh round pick, continues to hold down one of those defensive end positions. Journeyman Al Woods, who was originally a fourth-round pick by the Saints in 2010, is getting reps behind McLendon. Hebron Fangupo, another undrafted defensive lineman, is competing with fourth-round pick Alameda Ta'amu for snaps and maybe even a roster spot.
Let the battle of the Had vs. Had Nots begin.
After a season or two, potential wears off. Highly touted prospects can make way to the grinders like Foster and Keisel. The grinders, regardless of where they are drafted, are the guys who get extensions.
The first-round offensive line and Foster vs. the afterthought defensive linemen and Hood and Heyward sounds like a battle with chips on lots of shoulders. It should make for a fun offseason program and training camp.