OFFENSIVE TACKLE ROOM PREDICTIONS- Broderick Jones (RT), Troy Fautanu (LT), Dan Moore Jr (LT), Dylan Cook (RT)
There were three positions that held back the Steelers offense in 2023. Those positions were center, quarterback, and offensive tackle. Now offensive tackle has been an issue for the Steelers since 2021. And so, in two drafts, the Steelers have tried to fix that problem. The team selected Broderick Jones in the first-round of the 2022 draft, and then drafted Troy Fautanu in the following year’s first round.
The Steelers drafted Georgia offensive tackle, Broderick Jones, to take over the left tackle position. This led to a position battle in the 2023 training camp between Broderick Jones and the previous year’s starter, Dan Moore Jr. With being more experienced, Dan Moore continued to be the team’s starting left tackle heading into 2024. While getting one start at left tackle, Jones would not see the field that much until week 8, when veteran right tackle, Chukwuma Okorafor, would be benched. Broderick Jones had not played on the right side since high school. Even with being inexperienced at right tackle, Jones played well enough to start at the position for the rest of the year. Now with Okorafor out of the picture, Jones will most likely be starting at right tackle heading into 2024.
As for the new kid on the block, Troy Fautanu was drafted in the first round of this year’s draft. Fautanu delt with injuries in his college career but played all 15 games for Washington this past year. Troy Fautanu is die hard Steelers fan who played left tackle at Washington. By playing both guard and tackle in college, Fautanu has the build and skills to play on both sides of the offensive line. However, due to Broderick Jones already playing on the right side in 2024. It would make the most sense if Fautanu would finally replace the dreadful Dan Moore Jr. Despite starting in all the games, he has played; Moore has been downright awful. Earning himself the fifth-lowest pass-blocking grade in 2023, with a miserable 42.1, per PFF. Bringing in someone like Troy Fautanu who can replace Moore is a breath of fresh air for Steelers fans.
Despite all the negatives surrounding Dan Moore’s name, having him as a back-up is good to have. Moore can play both left and right tackle, so it is nice to have that versatility. Do not expect to see Dylan Cook hit the field at any point in 2024. The former Buccaneer did not play a single snap for the Steelers and is expected to do the same in 2024.