3 projected starters the Steelers must find long-term replacements for
By Tommy Jaggi
1. Steelers should look to replace RT Chukwuma Okorafor
If we look at what the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten out of Chukwuma Okorafor, he has been well worth a compensatory third-round pick. The former Central Michigan product was just 20 years old coming out of the 2018 NFL Draft and was a bit of a project.
Remarkably, Okorafor is still just 25 years old as he prepares for his 6th NFL season. Sadly, the sample of play we have seen since his second season hasn't gotten much better. This past season, Okorafor graded out even lower at the tackle position than Dan Moore -- earning the 60th-best grade at the position among 81 qualifying players.
With 52 starts under his belt, we needed to see much more improvement by this point than what we have out of Okorafor. What's worse is that he currently has the fourth-highest cap number on the team for the 2023 season at over $13 million, per Over the Cap.
Hypothetically, if Pittsburgh had a better option and depth at the position, they could even make Chuks Okorafor a post-June 1st cut and save $10 million. However, if the team does decide to upgrade at right tackle, maybe Okorafor could duke it out with Dan Moore for the left tackle job with the loser becoming the team's swing tackle.