The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big move to trade up and draft Georgia offensive tackle, Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has the potential to display franchise-changing type of ability on the line. The team had its first chance to get to see Jones on the field with his peers at the rookie minicamp, and now they've gotten an extended look with Organized Team Activities (OTAs) starting up on May 23. The question in the heads of all of Steeler Nation is how long is it before Jones ascends to a starting job.
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Steelers left tackle, Dan Moore Jr. walks on the field at St. Vincent College during the 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Back in 2021, Pittsburgh drafted Dan Moore Jr. in the fourth round and he immediately jumped in to fill the left tackle spot which had been vacated by Alejandro Villanueva, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens shortly after the draft. The three-year starter at Texas A&M had a sixth-round grade from NFL.com draft analyst, Lance Zierlein and he projected Moore could be a useful backup or swing tackle at the pro level.
In his first year, Moore was able to keep penalties to a minimum. According to Pro Football Reference, he took just five penalties, but in 2022 he regressed and took nine penalties trailing only Kevin Dotson's team-leading 11.
Moore still has his supporters, though. Most notably, former legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger played his final season in the league with Moore watching his blindside and advocated for him to continue to watch the left side for Kenny Pickett in 2023. Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin also gave him a bit of a vote of confidence back in March, but didn't say anything committal to his status in 2023.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Athletic is keeping an eye on the battle between Jones and Moore but doesn't think it will really materialize until training camp actually starts. During OTA's Jones has been penciled in on the second team at left tackle.
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Steelers Broderick Jones gets some instruction from offensive line coach Pat Meyer during the team's 2023 rookie minicamp.
"The Steelers didn’t move up to draft an offensive tackle in the first round — for the first time since 1996 — only to sit him on the bench. In any other situation, [Broderick] Jones would be inserted as the starter on Day 1, and that would be that," he said. "However, Moore has started 33 games in two years. He allowed six sacks and was called for seven penalties last year, but he has experience and, let’s face it, Tomlin likes how he plays, which makes this a little different."
He went on to say that he predicts Moore to take all the number one reps probably until July or August.
Former Steelers Linebacker Weighs In On Similar Situations
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers former linebacker Arthur Moats remembers the last time the Steelers had a first-round pick they'd traded up for competing in camp.
Arthur Moats said on a recent episode of his podcast that he believes the team will hand the reigns over to the rookie sooner rather than later. He specifically points to the cases of TJ Watt and Ryan Shazier.
"I think it's going to be Broderick [Jones]," he said when predicting who will be the starting left tackle. "I think they're going to rip the band-aid off and say 'We drafted you 14th overall, you're the guy. I don't care. Make us right.' I could see Tomlin saying that cause I was there when he told Watt and Shazier that."
Even if it is not right away, Moats and Kaboly agree. Jones is the team's future at the position and don't be surprised if the coaching staff will try to put him in the best place to succeed. If that's tossing him in the deep end to start or moving his way up from the kiddie pool.
Do you think Jones will be the starter by the end of the summer? What OTA storylines are you watching? Comment below!
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