The Pittsburgh Steelers' current longest tenured starting offensive lineman, Dan Moore Jr. has been underwhelming through his first three seasons in the Steel City. Moore Jr. has started 49 games with the Steelers and has been a part of some of the worst offensive line units for Pittsburgh in recent memory. Last season, the offensive line felt somewhat improved, but Moore Jr. was the weakest link according to Pro Football Focus. After General Manager Omar Khan drafted offensive tackles in the first round of back to back drafts, it seemed as if the front office was finally fed up with Moore Jr.'s underwhelming performances at left tackle. Keep in mind, Moore Jr. is originally a fourth-round pick who was thrust into a starting role early and has held his own. It just may finally be time for an inevitable upgrade.
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Offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. runs out of the tunnel before a Pittsburgh Steelers game.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette paid close attention to the rookie Fautanu on the fourth practice of training camp.
"I focused on Fautanu throughout practice today. His pass protection, his technique is really, really good. I've said it from the beginning. I think he's going to be a starter sooner rather than later, obviously it's not going to happen this week, or next, but it's going to happen pretty soon."
Fittipaldo also mentioned that Fautanu "stymied TJ Watt" at the line of scrimmage on one rep of seven shots after Jones left the field for a play. Fautanu holding his own against one of the premier pass rushers in football is extremely impressive for a rookie. Gerry Dulac also weighed in on the Steelers' starting tackle conversation.
"Yeah, its going to be curious to see how they do that Ray, because obviously they'd like to move Broderick Jones to left tackle, have Fautanu play right tackle, but as long as Dan Moore, I'm just curious to see when they're going to pick that moment as they did last year. You know when they slid Broderick Jones to right tackle."
Jones didn't get the starting right tackle job until Week 9 last season. There's no guarantee that Fautanu will earn a starting job before then this season, but after back to back years of going offensive tackle in round one of the draft, it's fair to think that the coaching staff and front office don't have much faith in Moore Jr.
AP
Steelers' 2024 first round pick, Troy Fautanu (left) gets introduced as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers by Art Rooney II (right).
The Steelers' Last Two First Round Picks Are Both At Right Tackle For Now
Having both Jones and Fautanu at right tackle is certainly not a permanent situation. It would be outrageous to draft two offensive tackles in the first round of back to back drafts just to bury one behind the other. Moore Jr. is a veteran and will more than likely get the first chance to win a starting tackle job, but at some point, one of Jones or Fautanu will have to move to the left side and compete with Moore Jr. If both Jones and Fautanu stay on the right side throughout training camp and the preseason, then what's the plan if Moore Jr. underperforms or gets injured? Surely the coaches won't throw a rookie into a role he hasn't been practicing.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. is fighting for his starting spot in 2024.
While Moore Jr. 's days as the Steelers' starting left tackle may be numbered, the offensive production has a chance to improve greatly. Guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels were the bright spots of Pittsburgh's offensive line last season and they'll both be back in the starting lineup this season. Moore Jr. and former center Mason Cole were the weakest links. Cole has already been replaced and Moore Jr. could soon be replaced too. Theoretically, the replacements at left tackle and center could end up being worse in performance, but the chance is worth taking.
Do you think Fautanu and Jones will both start at the tackle positions in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
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