The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to add an offensive lineman this weekend during the 2023 NFL Draft. They have been linked to multiple offensive tackles and are expected to attempt to upgrade from Dan Moore Jr. and/or Chukwuma Okorafor. Steeler Nation and virtually every media outlet have extensively covered the best options that are available to Pittsburgh.
Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger
Steelers' greats, Ben Roethlisberger (middle) and Ryan Shazier (right).
Ben Roethlisberger is not convinced that a tackle is the right way to go in the upcoming draft. In the most recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former quarterback for the Steelers told co-host Spencer T’eo and his guest Ryan Shazier that he felt like a cornerback would be a better option for the black and gold in the first round. He followed up the observation with an impassioned plea for one of his former teammates as an explanation.
“I think the most interesting spot is line,” Roethlisberger began. “Talking about trading up to get one of these tackles, I think there is a kid Johnson from Ohio State, the kid from Northwestern, the kid Jones from Georgia, Wright from Tennessee, Harrison, there is a bunch of really good tackles in there. I love Dan Moore Jr., I do, I played with Dan for one year and I wish I could have played longer.”
Moore had a difficult second season in the NFL. He did play better down the stretch for the Steelers, but free agency has taught us that Andy Weidl and Omar Khan are not looking for incremental improvement on the offensive line in 2023. The Steelers’ tackles were not a strength in 2022 and based on that information, it is likely that Pittsburgh is not about to go forward as is with the current contingent of tackles on the roster.
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Steelers' Dan Moore Jr.
“Dan’s got heart, Dan’s got a passion,” Roethlisberger argued. “I’ve always said I will take a guy that is less talented that has more heart than a guy that is super talented with less heart. I had guys that would go out there, Willie Colon, Trai Essex, Chris Kemoeatu, guys that weren’t the most highly recruited, highly touted, but they had more heart than anyone you ran into. They were going to block their butts off because they were going to protect their quarterback.”
Roethlisberger had an eclectic mix of offensive linemen during his nearly two-decade career in Pittsburgh. At times, the Steelers' offensive lines were among the most dominant in the NFL, but Roethlisberger was sacked 554 times in his career. That would be good enough for the most in NFL history, but Tom Brady managed to pass him last season after playing five additional seasons.
Fred Vuich / AP
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) is driven into the ground by Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Patrick Queen resulting in a concussion for the signal-caller.
The Steelers’ future Hall of Fame quarterback was one of the most difficult quarterbacks in NFL history to get to the ground and was often dinged during his career. Kenny Pickett is not the same player, and he is not likely to stand up to the same punishment that Roethlisberger endured. The point about desire is important, but it is more important that Pickett stays upright to be effective.
“That left tackle is a tough spot, you are going against some studs,” Roethlisberger concluded. “It’s his second year. A lot of the line struggled last year; the whole offense struggled. They are only going to get better; they are going to understand Matt Canada’s offense more. I think we’ll see big growth from Dan Moore this year. I don’t know that now is the time to knock him down. If you trade up, you gotta play him, then maybe Dan becomes your swing guy, but I just think he is too talented to sit on the bench.”
Steelers LT Dan Moore Jr. Might Be Getting A Bad Rap According To Ramon Foster
Moore is a hard player to figure out. He is dominant against Myles Garrett, a top-five pass-rushing talent in the NFL, but he is maddeningly inconsistent. When he is not facing Garrett, he turns into a turnstile on Pickett’s blindside. A concussion-prone quarterback just cannot absorb consistent punishment if he is going to thrive in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins are learning that lesson with Tua Tagovailoa and whoever drafts Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft will have to be concerned about the potential for it happening if he is not well-protected.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_Photo)
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is in jeopardy of losing his job, as team continues to look at top tackles in 2023 NFL Draft.
Pickett is bigger and stronger than both of those quarterbacks, but two concussions in 12 games is a cold reality they have to face. Moore absolutely could make a big jump in 2023, but the question is, are the Steelers willing to risk the long-term health of their new franchise quarterback on Roethlisberger’s evaluation of his potential at tackle?
The former Steelers starter’s input is a valuable tool and should not be completely disregarded, but Weidl and Khan have their own evaluations. Where there is smoke, there is fire and if the Steelers don’t have a new tackle by the end of day two this weekend, it will be one of the most shocking developments of this NFL Draft.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers heed Roethlisberger’s advice and pass on a top tackle prospect? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
