Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Was NFL's Worst Offensive Tackle In Week 1 According To PFF

Following their Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, it is apparent that the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is abject. They gained a total of 239 offensive yards for the course of the entire game. The 49ers on the other hand performed significantly better, thanks to their strong defense, variety of offensive playmakers, and rising star quarterback Brock Purdy. With Kenny Pickett in his second season and after coming off a 9-8 campaign, the Steelers hope to enter that level of competition. They might, but on Sunday, they were no match for San Francisco, who mostly neutralized Pittsburgh's offense throughout the game.

After winning the toss, George Pickens caught Pickett's first throw for five yards, but a jet sweep and sack forced them to punt on their first drive. Pressley Harvin's punt traveled just 34 yards, and the 49ers' first drive got underway at their own 46-yard line. Christian McCaffrey was stopped by Elandon Roberts in a third down and one just over midfield, but Purdy and George Kittle converted on a fourth and one with an 11-yard throw. 

Dan Moore Jr. was recently ranked the worst offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus in Week 1. He has started every game at left tackle since being drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but his inconsistent play has been an issue. While he has undoubtedly shown some development, his performance on Sunday raises doubts about his ability to reach the elite status of a top tier left tackle. Moore also allowed one sack and two quarterback hits, further highlighting his struggles in this game.

Moore's PFF grade in Week 1 ended up being 33.7. Even worse, his pass-blocking grade of 22.8 was among the lowest in the league as well. To say that he had a difficult day on Sunday afternoon is much of an understatement. The recovery time of Chukwuma Okorafor from his concussion will determine what side of the offensive line Moore will be playing on. If Okorafor is still in protocol, Moore may see some action next Monday night against the Cleveland Browns at right tackle.

In his rookie year, Moore displayed remarkable potential and helped protect Ben Roethlisberger during his final season. Thanks to Moore's contributions and the collective effort of the rest of the offensive line, Najee Harris managed to break the record for the most rushing yards by a rookie in a single season for the franchise. Out of all the linemen on the roster, Moore and Okorafor were the only ones to consistently start in every regular-season game for the past two years. The Steelers had a slow start last season before having a better finish due to the improved performance of the line and Moore, who provided Pickett ample time to lead multiple game-winning drives.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin recently spoke on Moore's improvements since last year.

“I feel really good about our left tackle position,” Tomlin said. “I feel really good about Dan’s growth and development."

Over the course of the summer, Moore solidified his reputation as a well-rounded player who is aware of his footwork and technique while facing double teams. Now, stakes for Moore's future are much higher, especially in the anticipation of his continued growth to benefit the Steelers this season. If he continues to struggle as much as he did against the 49ers, it is evident that his time on the field will decrease. He is also battling with Broderick Jones, the 14th overall choice in the April draft, for the starting left tackle position.

How do you think Moore will make an improvement through the course of this season? Let us know in the comments!

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