Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series as we revisit these moments.

It’s not very often that the big guys on the offensive line get the love they deserve from fans. Typically, they are not the flashiest players on the field or the guys that fans are desperately attempting to get a jersey of. However, without an effective cast along the offensive front – as we’ve all witnessed at times with the Pittsburgh Steelers – the offense, overall, suffers. On this Throwback Thursday, we look back at three well-known Steelers offensive linemen’s NFL Pro Scouting Combine performances and stats.

Showing love to offensive linemen at the #NFLCombine – former #Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey pic.twitter.com/zeCFgtNC5Y

— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) February 26, 2025

Maurkice Pouncey

At the 2010 NFL combine, Pouncey measured in at 6-4 ½, 304 pounds. He ran a 5.29-second 40 and benched 225 pounds 27 times at his campus (University of Florida) workout. The Steelers selected him with the 19th overall pick – the highest a center had been drafted since 1999.

One NFL personnel director said of Pouncey, “If we needed a center, I’d push for him in the Top 10. Everything is good on him. Draft him and you have your center for the next 10 years.” Another said, “If he came out (in 2009), he’d have been the No. 4 center (Behind Alex Mack, Eric Wood and Max Unger). He picked the right time out come out.”

Pouncey would play 11 seasons with the Steelers before retiring in 2020. He was named to nine Pro Bowls, five All-Pro teams, and the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.

Zach Frazier showed up at the #NFLCombine and ended up a #Steelers rookie in 2024 pic.twitter.com/t2yAnY3YeX

— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) February 26, 2025

Zach Frazier

At the 2024 NFL combine, Frazier (West Virginia) measured 6-3, 313 pounds, with an arm length of 32 1/4 inches. He was drafted by the Steelers at pick No. 51 (second round).

Analyst Lance Zierlein wrote of Frazier as a prospect, “Frazier’s lack of ideal arm length will be a problem for some evaluators and could cause him problems on the next level. Frazier has bulldozer drive strength in his lower half but allows his hands to do too much grabbing and hugging at times… because of his lack of length and recovery ability, he’s going to have issues if he’s forced to protect on an island. Frazier has the potential to be a good backup or eventual starter…”

Frazier took over the starting center duties early during his rookie campaign due to issues Nate Herbig had at the position, and he never looked back. He played in 11 games, missing a short period due to an ankle injury. Frazier was named the Steelers offensive rookie of the year following the 2024 NFL season, making him just the second center in franchise history to do so with Pouncey being the first in 2010.

Frazier was selected to the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) NFL All-Rookie Team; the second consecutive Steeler to appear on the list after Joey Porter Jr. the season prior. In addition to this, Frazier was the recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award.

Let’s not forget about former #Steelers guard David DeCastro‘s 2012 #NFLCombine performance pic.twitter.com/A4VFiytKPi

— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) February 26, 2025

David DeCastro

At the 2012 NFL combine, DeCastro (Stanford) measured 6-5, 316 pounds, with an arm length of 32 3/4 inches. He ran a 5.43 40-yard dash (1.84 10-yard split), recorded a vertical jump of 29.5 inches, broad jump 8 feet – 2 inches, performed the 3-cone drill in 7.3 seconds, 4.56 20-yd shuttle, and did 34 reps on the bench press.

DeCastro was described, in his pre-draft profile, as “a technician on the field and is beautiful to watch for those who respect offensive line play.”

The first-round (pick 24) guard played nine seasons for the Steelers before retiring in 2020. He was a six time Pro Bowl player, was named first-team All Pro twice, and second-team All Pro once.