It may seem like the Pittsburgh Steelers were just putting the cap on their 2022 season but believe it or not Training Camp is right around the corner. As the Steelers prepare for their trip East to Latrobe, we’re getting ready too. We’ll be previewing the 90 players participating at St. Vincent College position by position. In this article we look at the offensive tackles.
Currently on the Roster
Chukwuma Okorafor – 6th year
Jarrid Williams – 1st year
Le’Raven Clark – 8th year
Dylan Cook – 1st year
Broderick Jones – Rookie
Dan Moore, Jr – 3rd year
Chuks Okorafor
It’s hard to believe that Okorafor has already played five seasons in the Black and Gold… He’s put himself in prime position to once again be the starter at right tackle where he’s been solid but not overly spectacular. Okorafor combines really good athleticism with length to be a good pass blocker but I’d like to see more physicality from him as a run blocker. There are some that believe his position could be in jeopardy if Jones and Moore really take their games to the next level. Moore could possibly shift over but I’m not going there yet.
Jarrid Williams
A 2022 Undrafted Free Agent from Miami, Williams spent time with the Eagles and Lions but never saw game action. He’s decent at the point of attack and has some decent athletic traits and length. I think he will need to be dominant especially against smaller players and he’ll need to add more overall consistency to his game as well. His wide base allow him to drive well in run situations but he has a long road to hoe in order to make the roster.
Le’ Raven Clark
The 30-year old Clark has plenty of experience under his belt having played for the Colts, Eagles and Titans. He’s never started more than five games in a season but has appeared in 64 games (18 total starts). He is on this roster strictly to be a reserve in my opinion. He’s already got three players ahead of him and must have a big Camp and play well in the preseason in order to make the roster.
Dylan Cook
Played at Montana where he actually started out as a quarterback before switching to offensive line. It’s no surprise therefore that he has some above average athleticism as a tackle. HIs length and desire are positive traits but he needs to get stronger and add weight. He reminds me a bit of Zach Gentry in this regard.
Broderick Jones
It’s not a matter “if,” it’s a matter of “when.” Broderick Jones may not start week one or two but it shouldn’t be long before he anchors the left side of the line. A dominating run blocker, Jones is more than adequate against the pass rush, but with Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby on tap in the first three weeks, the experienced Dan Moore is the likely starter. That said, if Mike Tomlin feels Jones is ready then he’ll get the nod. With contact so limited now in Camp and only three preseason games, it’s tough to truly prepare a rookie left tackle. Make no mistake, this is the guy you need to anchor the line for the next decade and he will (crosses fingers for health) but he might not start out of the gate.
Dan Moore, Jr
All credit to Moore who showed up to OTA’s this Spring in excellent condition. Moore looks stronger and more fit than we’ve seen him in the past. He could have easily said “to hell with it” after the team drafted Jones but didn’t. Moore was thrust into the starting job as a rookie and while he hasn’t been ‘great’ he’s been solid. I find his pass protection to often be “just enough” because so often the pass rusher gets him going backwards just as the QB gets rid of the ball. That however is a problem. You want your QB to throw comfortably and when he wants to rather than when he HAS to. Moore is a good run blocker but with this team clearly dedicated to pounding the ball, Tomlin felt they could improve. Jones will be an upgrade in both departments but Moore isn’t going away.
Roster Projections
Okorafor, Moore, Jones, Clark
Cook, Williams – Practice Squad
