What each Steelers rookie will struggle with during 2021

Steelers Dan Moore

Problem: Playing time

Dan Moore was quietly one of the better picks of the draft for the Steelers. He was a starter in the SEC, has great size and athleticism, and was a good starter for Texas A&M over the years. He has all the traits to be a good developmental tackle for the team, and he has the flexibility to play on both the left and right sides of the line.

No, Moore won’t be a starter his rookie season more than likely, and that will be the main issue with his development. Chukwuma Okorafor and Zach Banner will man the starting roles while Joe Haeg was signed to be the swing tackle/extra offensive lineman. This leaves Moore as the likely inactive each week. With a lot of turnover expected at the tackle position next season (Okorafor is a free agent and Haeg is a likely cut), Moore won’t have much of an opportunity to develop.

This means next year the team will likely have to make another significant investment in a tackle. Now, injuries are always on the table, and Moore could become an injury starter if either of the starters is lost for a stretch, but outside of that his playing time will be limited. He needs an opportunity to show that he can at least eventually start. That may not happen during his rookie season.