Steelers 7th-rounder Derwin Gray spends OTAs at 4 positions; left guard this week

All of Derwin Gray’s 25 starts at the University of Maryland over the past three years were at left tackle.

It’s taken all of nine on-field Pittsburgh Steelers team workouts for the seventh-round pick to quadruple his positional résumé in the NFL.

“I pretty much have played at all four (non-center offensive line) positions since I have been here,” Gray said after Thursday’s organized team activity session. “Left tackle, right tackle, right guard and left guard. So this week was my first week at left guard.

“It’s all football (regardless of position). It’s all zone blocking, outside zone, pass protection, that’s all it is.”

#Steelers' general manager Kevin Colbert said Derwin Gray will be given a chance to play tackle, but he also could be moved inside to guard. https://t.co/nCF2BWEcRm

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) April 27, 2019

Gray was an honorable mention all-Big Ten tackle each of the past two seasons for the Terrapins. Though his official NFL draft profile doesn’t mention the word “guard,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert dropped hints that Gray’s future could be there.

Initially, at least, Gray’s quickest path to a roster spot as a rookie could be as a “swing” lineman capable of playing multiple positions along the line. Gray said that so far, that position flexibility has been “going pretty smoothly.”

“I look at it as me being a guy who can play different roles and play different spots when needed,” Gray said. “I’ve showed the versatility that I can play anywhere on the o-line. “

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