The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been under heavy scrutiny for the last two seasons. Last season, the rebuilt offensive line had mixed results protecting Ben Roethlisberger and opening holes for Najee Harris. ESPN recently ranked the Steelers offensive line last in the NFL going into the 2022 season and the group will be severely tested Saturday night by the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line. The marquee match-up will be the Steelers second-year starting left tackle, Dan Moore Jr., against the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Travon Walker.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 31: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns rushes against Dan Moore Jr. #65 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Moore was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he started all 16 games for the black and gold last season. He was a three-year starter for Texas A&M and during his senior campaign, he was selected as Second Team All-SEC. Moore’s rookie season was solid, if not spectacular protecting Roethlisberger’s blindside, but the Steelers are counting on the second-year player to make major strides during the 2022 campaign.
The second-year pro early in camp was matching up against Alex Highsmith routinely in practice and he was more than holding his own against the Steelers bookend pass rusher. Highsmith before he was injured shared with Josh Rowntree that aside from George Pickens, he was most impressed with Moore’s progress.
Asked Alex Highsmith what offensive players have impressed him most in camp so far.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) August 1, 2022
His answer: George Pickens and Dan Moore Jr. #Steelers @937theFan
Moore has worked hard on his technique in the off-season. He placed special emphasis on his hand placement, and he has shown progress in camp, but on Mason Rudolph’s first play from scrimmage last week, he was beaten badly by the Seahawks' Boye Mafe for a strip sack. Rudolph recovered the fumble and a couple of plays later found George Pickens for a beautiful toe tap touchdown, but Moore will have to play significantly better opposite Walker or the Jaguars Pro Bowl defensive end, Josh Allen.
Jordan Schofield Steeler Nation (Twitter @JSKO Photo)
Walker demonstrated against the Las Vegas Raiders that Jacksonville’s decision to pass over the Michigan Wolverines All-American Aidan Hutchinson might have been the second straight season that they have hit on the number one pick in the draft. Walker is fast and has an exceptional jump off the ball, while Allen is a Pro Bowl player who has gotten better every year in the NFL. The pair of edge rushers will present the Steelers with an accurate gauge on whether Moore is ready to block Trey Hendrickson against the Cincinnati Bengals in three weeks in the regular season opener.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) throwing a pass during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 13, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by: Abigail/Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers will likely be trotting out rookie signal-caller Kenny Pickett with the first team and the pressure on the offensive line to protect him will be tremendous. Mike Tomlin would like to get a long look at how the former Pitt Panther handles his first game reps with the 'varsity' in a hostile environment. If Pickett is running for his life when he is inserted into the game, there will be little value in assessing whether he can take a beating.
Matt Canada and the Steelers offense is likely to emphasize the run, jet sweeps and play-action passing during the 2022 season. Moore is a huge part of that equation. If he plays well and pushes the opposing edge players off the ball on running plays and keeps Mitch Trubisky and Pickett clean, the Steelers should be effective moving the ball. If he plays poorly, it's going to be a long season. A key answer will be provided in the River City Saturday night by the Pittsburgh left tackle.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Moore hold his own and take a big step forward tonight? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
