On Monday morning, ESPN released their newest version of the off-season NFL Power Rankings. The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped one spot from 20 to 21 following the 2022 NFL Draft. This comes AFTER the Steelers had what was considered to be a good draft by many. The issue is that the draft likely falls onto the shoulders of rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. If Pickett is able to step into a starting role as a rookie, the Steelers will have had their best draft since 2004 when they selected Ben Roethlisberger, regardless of how the rest of the 2022 class performs.
In the latest ESPN+ story, Brooke Pryor says that Pittsburgh's two offensive tackles benefitted most from the 2022 NFL Draft:
21. PittsburghPost-free agency ranking: 20
Player who benefited most from draft: OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Okorafor gets his name in bold, but Dan Moore Jr. also qualifies as a player who benefitted from the Steelers' draft. The team didn't address the tackle spot through an external signing in free agency or via the draft, all but solidifying its confidence in Okorafor and Moore. As a rookie, Moore started every single game and showed signs of being the left tackle of the future, while Okorafor had an average season. Either position could've benefitted from an upgrade this offseason, but that didn't happen, so Okorafor and Moore won't have their spots threatened. -- Brooke Pryor
Pittsburgh addressed several needs on the offensive side of the ball during the 2022 NFL Draft. They selected a quarterback, two wide receivers, and a full back/tight end. But one position they didn't address was the offensive line. That left some Steelers fans scratching their heads. Especially when they decided to take another wide receiver in the fourth round after drafting George Pickens in the second.
Pittsburgh's failure to select an offensive lineman was a nod to their own efforts in free agency where they brought in solid veteran guard James Daniels, and versatile guard/center Mason Cole. While Daniels will immediately become the Steelers best lineman and slot into the starting right guard position, Cole will at the very least give Pittsburgh better depth than they had last season. It's likely that Cole will battle Kendrick Green, and JC Hassenauer for the starting center position. All three players could also battle with Kevin Dotson for the left guard position too if he falters during training camp. Dotson had a disappointing 2021 missing most of the season with a high ankle sprain.
The place where there won't be a battle? Offensive tackle. Last season Dan Moore Jr was tasked with protecting Roethlisberger's blind side as a rookie. Roethlisberger survived, but it was ugly at times. When Moore was drafted, he was tabbed as a player that would need a year to learn the position in the NFL, but Zach Banner never recovered from his torn ACL and without any other options, Moore was in. He'd start every game at left tackle.
With Banner out for the second straight season, Chukwuma Okorafor would slide over to the right side tackle position. That's where he would stay all season with Banner never being able to over take the spot once he returned to good health. Okorafor hit free agency this off-season, but the Steelers were able to sign him to a three-year contract to keep him. But the deal is structured so that if Okorafor has a rough season, the Steelers could release him without much dead money being assessed to their salary cap.
Should Pittsburgh sign a free agent OT?
While they didn't address the line in the draft, there is still time for them to add a solid challenger to either spot in free agency. They did just sign journeyman offensive tackle Trent Scott who has ties to new offensive line coach Pat Meyer. But he isn't a threat to either Okorafor, or Moore.
There is still a lot of time before the Steelers head to Latrobe for training camp. Adding a solid offensive lineman should still be on the Steelers radar.
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