Jul 29, 2015 4 min read

LATROBE – Kelvin Beachum might not be the prototypical left tackle in the NFL but you’d never know that from his play.

The 6-3, 303-pound Beachum is coming off a solid first season as the Steelers’ starting left tackle and the team has identified him as its top priority to sign to a new contract before the start of the regular season.

The Steelers do not negotiate contracts with players once the regular season begins and would like to get something done with Beachum now rather than waiting for the offseason.

Beachum, a seventh-round draft pick in 2012 who started all 16 games at left tackle last season, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016. He is scheduled to earn $1.542 million, which ranks 31st among left tackles in the league.

That’s not bad for a guy who had to hear 247 other names called before the Steelers selected him with a supplemental pick in the 2012 draft. Heck, he was Pittsburgh’s final pick in the seventh round after receiver Toney Clemons, corner Terrence Frederick and tight end David Paulson were taken by the team earlier in the round.

But those other three seventh-round picks are all long forgotten by the Steelers, while Beachum appears ready to become one of the team’s highest-paid players.

“I appreciate working with him. He played really well,” Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak said Wednesday at Saint Vincent College. “I think people are starting to realize the role of the left tackle, how you have to have one of those you can leave out there.”

The Steelers certainly have come to that realization. The question now is how much should Beachum be paid?

Five left tackles – Washington’s Trent Williams, D’Brickashaw Ferguson of the Jets, Miami’s Branden Albert, Denver’s Ryan Clady and Cleveland’s Joe Thomas – will earn $10 million or more this season. Five others will earn more than $8 million.

The Steelers likely won’t want to go higher than the $8.8 million per season that Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey’s contract averages.

Then again, what is asked from a left tackle, who protects a quarterback’s blind side, is far different than what is asked from a center, even a good one such as Pouncey.

“For me, I look at left tackles like a shutdown corner,” Munchak said. “You have to be that kind of guy, have that kind of mentality. He (also) did a really nice job in the run game last year, which gets overlooked. He did a lot of good stuff.”

Beachum isn’t worried about getting a new deal, though he certainly took notice when the Steelers signed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a five-year extension in the offseason defensive end Cam Heyward to a six-year deal just two weeks ago.

“I’m really happy Ben got his contract, really happy for Cam,” said Beachum, adding that he is focused solely on getting ready for the season. “That’s my training buddy. It was well deserved. He got it right on time.”

And now, Beachum appears to be next in line, despite the fact the Steelers have a number of key pending free agents, including nose tackle Steve McLendon, fullback Will Johnson and guard Ramon Foster.

“He’s a guy who has a great work ethic. He’s always trying different things. He knows he has to do some things because he’s not the prototypical left tackle as we all know,” said Munchak. “He’s not 6-7, 335 or something like that, which is something people look for in left tackles. But you can’t measure a guy’s heart, his effort, his can-do.

“He had a great season last year. He knows there are going to be bumps along the way, which is the way it is for all offensive linemen, but I like where he’s at this year. He’s so much more confident. He’s a confident guy, but you have to be at that position.”

Rookie offensive lineman B.J. Finney left practice early because of heat-related issues. … Linebacker Vince Williams, who starred in the backs on backers drill earlier in the practice, left early because of cramping. … Tight end Matt Spaeth, who was given the day off Monday, was back at practice Wednesday. … Linebacker James Harrison, safety Will Allen and tight end Heath Miller were given the day off. … Rookie tight end Cam Clear returned to practice after leaving early Monday because of heat-related issues. … Safety Ross Ventrone, who suffered a lower leg injury Monday, was in a walking boot Wednesday, though head coach Mike Tomlin had no update on his status. … The Steelers will practice at 2:55 p.m. today. It is open to the public.