Last weekend, we noted how the Steelers seemed to be prepping first-round rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones for a starting role in training camp. Now, after the team’s first preseason game of 2023, it seems Jones has some ground to make up on the incumbent starters from last season. 
Pittsburgh opened camp not only with Jones at left tackle in place of Dan Moore, who started at the position all last season, but also with Moore in the place of Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle. Not only did it seem that Jones was set to start as a rookie, it appeared that he was about to push both of the prior year starters out of their positions.
Mark Kaboly of The Athletic was not having it. Kaboly delivered an extremely honest and realistic take after attending Steelers’ practice last Sunday. What he saw did not have him feeling confident about Jones lining up against Nick Bosa in Week 1, when the 49ers open the season in Pittsburgh. Kaboly gave the rookie some credit; the young man is a physical specimen playing at one of “the most unnatural” positions on offense.
It’s never a given that a rookie can come in and start during their first season, but the Steelers traded up in the first round to select an offensive tackle for the first time in 25 years. It would seem like a disappointment for Jones not to develop into a starter to open his rookie year, but it’s only important that he develops into a starter eventually. The preseason will be an important time to get Jones acclimated to the speed of the game at the NFL level, but rushing Jones into starting action could be detrimental to the team and Jones’s development.
Right now, Kaboly asserts that Moore, the incumbent starter on the blindside, currently looks better than Jones. He certainly should considering he has 34 NFL starts on his resume. Jones is still learning the ins and outs of playing one of the most challenging positions in the NFL. Moore’s got the experience, as does Okorafor, who’s started 52 games over his first five years in the league.
To start the preseason tonight, the Steelers trotted Moore and Okorafor out in their starting positions from last season on the first series of the game. The rest of the contest saw Jones getting his feet wet against NFL competition as the team’s left tackle. That sequence of events seems to support Kaboly’s assertion. It seems the Steelers feel better about Moore and Okorafor’s abilities to start right now, while Jones still needs a bit of seasoning.
Jones delivered a mixed bag in his first NFL action. For much of the appearance, he impressed against a second-team Buccaneers defense, eventually showing inconsistencies as the game wore him down. The results don’t matter too much, though, for now. It was just important for Jones to get out there and start getting comfortable at the position. Despite not starting his rookie year on the first team, his draft stock makes him the de facto tackle of the future in Pittsburgh.
With Jones expected to take over eventually, that makes this season crucial for Moore and Okorafor. Both linemen are under contact through the 2024 season and would be likely extension candidates in the coming offseason. According to another Kaboly take, though, Jones’s presumed place atop future depth charts makes it likely that only one of Moore or Okorafor will be chosen to extend their tenure in Pittsburgh. It will likely be a combination of who performs better this season and who fits best across from Jones that will decide the team’s other tackle of the future.
For now, though, it appears Moore and Okorafor will continue their stints as starters on the Steelers’ offensive line. It’s too early to rule Jones out to open the season as a starter, but it’s seeming more and more likely that he’ll be coming off the bench to start the year and will need to continue working to earn a starting role.
Kaboly is the load who told the world that Mason Rudolph was the Steelers’ best QB in last year’s camp.
He’s a cartoon character who likes attention…not a scout.
He wasn’t the only one, of course. Dulac of the PG was another and it went on for weeks
But Kaboly seems to have a corner on consistently providing wrong info. It’s almost amazing
Very satisfying game last night on many fronts. Kenny looked polished and at home utilizing numerous weapons on his first and only drive. And the play calling was much improved
Loved the receiving corp and Austin is a great compliment to Pickens, Johnson and Robinson. The line looked much better
And Kwon Alexander? Just incredible.
Really a much different team with all of the additions, from inside linebacker to a guy like Benton on the D-line
Only an exhibition but a much different and improved look from what we’ve seen over the past two seasons
Jones best chance to start as a rookie (barring injuries) is overtaking RT from Chuks.
Moore looks pretty locked in to me. Expected results from a 24 year old with 35 NFL starts at LT already in his career.
Broderick has the size and physicality to produce at RT right now, but will likely take at least a year or 2 to become an impact LT
Chuks very likely to get cut next offsesson (barring a pro bowl season) , so why not get Broderick used to the position that’s open for the taking over the next 2 years.
I kind of got the impression that Porter Jr didn’t dress as a message being sent by Tomlin. Here he is talking about how excited he is to get on the field and suddenly he “tweaked an ankle”
After some troubles in coverage and in open field tackling this week, can’t say I was surprised
Broderick’s time will come as will Benton’s. Herbig looked good
Between the rookies and the free agent additions, you have to be impressed with what Khan has done here
Khan always makes a lasting impression…link to youtube.com
agreed. I also see JPJs ceiling as sky-high.
. but as a rookie he’s going to have some major blunders and struggles with the quick cutting guys underneath