:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53529227/460963294.0.jpg)
The Steelers may have gone a long way in strengthening the depth of the offensive line by putting the "right of first refusal" tag on Chris Hubbard. Should they go the free agent route to acquire another guard or center, there is talent out there. With Hubbard and BJ Finney, the team would have versatile options to back up the fine line of starters. Both can play guard or center. (Hubbard plays tackle, as well.) With Cody Wallace uncertain to return, Mike Munchak may urge the team to bring in some more players. Here are top options for both guard and center, should the Steelers be looking.
Offensive Line / Guards
1. Kevin Zeitler — Cincinnati Bengals
2. T.J. Lang — Green Bay Packers
3. Larry Warford — Detroit Lions
4. Ronald Leary — Dallas Cowboys
5. Evan Mathis — Arizona Cardinals
Most of the guys listed are starter quality with high salary demands. Zeitler, Lang and Warford are highly regarded and will be starters in the league for a long time. Once forgotten on a star-studded Cowboys line, Leary has played his way into respectability. The Steelers are more in need of backup help at the position. Mathis is 36, but could be quality veteran help if he could come cheap.
Mike Munchak is the type of coach that can get more out of a struggling player than most. Available players that could be quality reclamations would be Jacksonville's Luke Joeckel, Chance Warmack of Tennessee and Minnesota's Brandon Fusco. A veteran like Jahiri Evans could have some value, while John Urschel of Baltimore could be very solid on a backup role for a strong unit.
Center
1. J.C. Tretter — Green Bay Packers
2. Matt Paradis — Denver Broncos
3. John Sullivan — Washington Redskins
4. Nick Mangold — New York Jets
5. Stefan Wisniewski — Philadelphia Eagles
Once again, the Steelers have an All-Pro at the position in Maurkice Pouncey and need nothing more than an insurance policy.
Tretter and Paradis are good starters with injury concerns and won't be in the equation. Mangold was all-world when healthy and will still get a good starting gig despite his advanced age. Sullivan, Minnesota's Joe Berger and once-Steeler AQ Shipley are all on the wrong side of thirty, but are still worth a veteran's look.
The most-intriguing option to me is Wisniewski. Turning 28 on March 22cd, the Penn Stater is a quality player that had struggles with injuries. He performed well in a backup role last season with better health and would be a perfect fit for the Steelers, if he could come at the right price.