Steelers Draft Strategy: Why using top-50 pick on offensive line would be mistake
Steelers Have Competent OTs
My primary argument concerning the Steelers' draft strategy is that they currently have two solid offensive tackle starters on the roster. We’ll start with Chukwuma Okorafor. For many years, I have been a staunch “Chuks” defender. Sure, he’s not a dominant run blocker like Marcus Gilbert or Max Starks. Given those struggles and his prowess in pass protection, would he probably be better at left tackle? Probably. But some players just don’t feel as comfortable on one side as the other. We’ll get to him later, but in the offseason before his rookie season, Dan Moore spoke about how he was more comfortable playing on the left side of the line. But back to Chuks.
I know many people don’t like Chuks and think he can be replaced. I understand he’s not the best; he’s probably a league-average offensive tackle. But given his experience with the team and the chemistry he’s built with this offensive line group, especially with how they came together in the second half of the season, I don’t think there are many available replacements, either in free agency or the draft, that could be realistically had and would be an improvement on Chuks. Looking at how much money the right tackles got in free agency this offseason, there was simply no way the Steelers would be able to spend that kind of cash at the position, even if they could get Okorafor off the books somehow.
In the draft, I don’t think this team has a shot at the top two guys, Peter Skoronski and Paris Johnson, without trading up. Broderick Jones is a possibility at 17, but his stock seems to be rising, and he’s only played 34 snaps at right tackle. I like Anton Harrison more than most, and I think he’s a possible selection. But he’s only started one game at right tackle and then Oklahoma immediately moved him back to the left side. Plus, I’m not sure he’d be a concrete improvement on Okorafor. Maybe in a year or two, but given this team’s needs, I think that would be a mistaken use of draft capital.
There are two more names I’ve seen thrown about: Dawand Jones from Ohio State and Darnell Wright from Tennessee. I think Wright is interesting, but drafting him at 17 would be a major reach in my mind. And again, I am not confident that he’s a significant improvement from Okorafor. Regarding Jones, I have concerns about his ability to transition to the speed and movement skills required of NFL offensive linemen, especially ones that need to move as much as they do in Matt Canada’s scheme.
Let’s move on to Dan Moore. Moore had his share of growing pains over the last two seasons, but I think he’s made remarkable improvements since his first start. He’s still a work in progress, which is logical for a fourth-round pick. Obviously, player development is rarely linear, but I would like to see if Moore can keep improving in his third year in the scheme with the same offensive line coach for the second year.
Given his struggles, I think it’s more likely that a high draft pick, such as Broderick Jones or Anton Harrison, could be an improvement on Moore. But I also think there’s a fairly good chance that with another year of experience under his belt, Moore could continue to improve and become a plus-starter for this team. Conversely, if you draft a young left tackle like Jones or Harrison, you start the cycle over again, and Moore becomes a swing tackle that you’re afraid to play on the right side.
Ultimately, I would rather this team stick with Moore and Chuks, giving them another season to improve their game by gaining even more chemistry with their line-mates within the system. Given how they improved down the stretch last season, along with the addition of Isaac Seumalo, I think it’s fair to project that this offensive line could continue to improve in 2023.
However, if things don’t play out that way, you can easily move on from Okorafor during the offseason. Cutting him would account for only $3.08 million against the cap; maybe even some team with injuries on the line would trade for him. On the other side, Moore will be entering the final year of his rookie deal and could be cut for less than $200k in dead cap. Or if Kevin Dotson leaves, they could try Moore out at guard as a depth piece. At the end of the day, I believe the Steelers can stick with their offensive tackles from last season and still put together a competent offense, perhaps even improving on last year’s.