The offensive line is always one of the most important parts of a football team, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have treated it as such in recent years. They’ve spent many draft picks, several of them in the first or second rounds on the unit, and it’s starting to reap some rewards.

Not in the eyes of NFL analyst Warren Sharp, though.

Putting together his list of the NFL’s best offensive lines via a tweet posted Wednesday, Sharp had the Steelers at No. 21. The Steelers were sandwiched between both New York teams, as well as Washington and Kansas City. Interestingly enough, they were higher than any other AFC North team.

ranking the best offensive lines

1. Denver Broncos
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Chicago Bears
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Los Angeles Chargers
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Atlanta Falcons
11. Indianapolis Colts
12. Carolina…

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 8, 2026

Sharp hasn’t been too high on the Steelers throughout this offseason. Filling out a tier list, he put the Steelers’ pass-catching corps near the bottom of the league and also ranked their running back room the 20th-best in the NFL.

There are some reasons for pessimism when it comes to the Steelers’ offensive line. Not only do the Steelers have some new voices in charge of that unit, but a couple of players are switching spots as well. Troy Fautanu appears headed to left tackle and will likely be joined on that side of the line by Mason McCormick. Dylan Cook figures to slot in at right tackle if rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor isn’t ready to start the year.

Granted, those three all have prior experience in the spots they’ll be moving to. But it is still challenging for a young lineman, especially at the NFL level. When you have that, and factos like Broderick Jones’ uncertain health status, as well as Gennings Dunker and Iheanachor potentially not being ready right away, it’s understandable why one wouldn’t have the Steelers’ offensive line atop the league.

Yet 21st feels low. Even though some of the young talent is still developing, the Steelers had several solid linemen last year. Zach Frazier is quickly earning respect around the league, with some envisioning an All-Pro season in his near future. Fautanu, McCormick and Cook also were all impressive last year albeit Cook in limited starts.

Having questions about the Steelers’ offensive line is certainly fair. And those players have a tall task in protecting a 42-year-old quarterback. But with the talent and depth they have, 21st seems a little low from Sharp.