Steelers LT Dan Moore Jr. Gets First Team Reps; Could Start Over Rookie Broderick Jones In Week 7

The plan was for the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin ramping up the usage of their rookies after the Week 6 bye. That was at least the general thought from fans, as the 2023 NFL Draft class was touted as a resounding success. The rookies have flashed their respective talents in the first month of the season, but as always, the Steelers haven't rushed their first-year guys into extended playing time.

That has held especially true for first-rounder Broderick Jones, who sat behind Dan Moore Jr. for the first four weeks of the season. With Moore out in Week 5, the rookie left tackle got his first career start and performed admirably. The question persisted of who would start after the team's Week 6 bye. Well, according to Nick Farabaugh, Moore told reporters on Monday that he saw first-team reps at practice. ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that Moore was close to a full participant in Monday's practice.

By the sounds of it, he's ready to return from his MCL injury in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams. From a neutral perspective, it would sound insane for the Steelers to go back to Moore at left tackle. While he does have 38 career starts under his belt, his game has taken a significant step backwards so far in 2023. Based off 74 qualifying offensive tackles through six weeks, Pro Football Focus has Moore rated as by far the worst OT so far.

It's not like he's been particularly bad in one aspect of his game either. PFF has given Moore a 19.9 grade for his pass blocking, while his run blocking also remains particularly bad with a 42.2 grade. To be fair, the Steelers have faced a gauntlet of defensive fronts to begin the season. Just in the first three weeks alone, they faced Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, and Nick Bosa.

When Will The Steelers Insert Rookies Into Starting Lineup?

That's three of the top five pass rushers in football. Still, his performance has left a lot to be desired. Jones, who came into the NFL as a raw prospect, performed well against a stout Baltimore Ravens front in Week 5. He allowed zero pressures en route to the team's upset victory over the division rival. It raises questions as to why the team would go back to the veteran, Moore.

Jones has shown that he's ready, a situation similar to fellow rookie Joey Porter Jr. Despite impressive coverage skills in limited snaps, the team still refuses to name Porter a full-time starter. The rookie cornerback snagged a clutch interception in Week 5, which kept the team in the game in the fourth quarter. It all ties back to the Steelers' refusal to break away from their old philosophies.

For years, starting from the top, rookies in Pittsburgh have had difficulty getting on the field in their first seasons. Some thought that would change in 2023, as Steelers General Manager Omar Khan put together a talented draft class. So far, nothing seems to have changed. We will likely find out more from Head Coach Mike Tomlin in his weekly press conference on Tuesday on who may start at left tackle. Regardless of whether or not Moore is fully healthy, it should be an easy decision for Pittsburgh's coaching staff at this point.

What are your thoughts on Moore possibly starting in Week 7? Why do the Steelers refuse to break away from their old philosophies when it comes to rookies? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!

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