3 offensive tackles Steelers should be tempted to sign in free agency
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers might be done making splashy free agent moves, but these three offensive tackles would be an upgrade over what they have.
I’m not giving up on the Steelers young offensive tackles just yet. While I don’t know if I would expect Chukwuma Okorafor to be with the team beyond the 2022 season, I think Dan Moore Jr. showed some promise after being thrown into the fire during this first NFL season.
That being said, I am all in favor of a serious upgrade at the offensive tackle position. The Steelers will have a new quarterback at the helm moving forward, and the offensive line was the Achilles heel of this team last year. Here are three established veteran offensive tackles still sitting in free agency:
Steelers should pursue Duane Brown
Age is but a number when it comes to long-time Texans and Seahawks offensive tackle, Duane Brown. The former All-Pro entered the NFL all the way back in 2008 and is one of the longest-running current NFL players. He will turn 37 years old just before the start of the season.
The Steelers shouldn’t let this scare them away, however. While Brown obviously wouldn’t be a long-term fix, he does have fourteen years of experience at the left tackle position and he has been remarkably healthy throughout his NFL career.
Even at the age of 36 in 2021, Brown earned a very respectable 71.5 overall grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. His consistency as both a run blocker and pass protector would give Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett more confidence to hang in the pocket and make plays. At this stage in his career, Brown should be affordable and he has shown that he still has a juice left in the tank.