According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, University of Minnesota center John Michale Schmitz had a predraft visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. Schmitz is the top center prospect in the 2023 NFL draft.
Schmitz is one of those players you just draft, plug them into the starting lineup and forget about them for 10 years while they rack up Pro Bowls. Schmitz only allowed two sacks during his entire college career and probably doesn’t have a dozen bad snaps in his entire college career.
But where does he fit with the Steelers? If the team isn’t happy with Mason Cole at center, Schmitz is certainly an upgrade. But cutting Cole is a bad financial decision for the Steelers so drafting Schmitz would mean Cole becomes the top reserve at center and guard. Makes sense but it does make one wonder why the Steelers already signed two free-agent interior offensive linemen.
Where would the Steelers have to pick Schmitz? No. 17 is probably too early given other team needs but no doubt we could see it happening at No. 32. Let us know if you want to see Pittsburgh draft Schmitz and continue to rebuild the offensive line.
Minnesota OL John Michael Schmitz visited the #Steelers today, per source. A projected first-round pick, Schmitz also has visits scheduled with the #Jets (who previously worked him out privately) and the #Vikings.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 24, 2023
