Former pro and college scout on Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr.: ‘There is a lot there to work with’
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Monday’s Steelers practice featured a reconfigured offensive line because of a possible injury to right tackle Zach Banner.
Even before that news, former pro and college scout and Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson told me the Steelers offensive line was already questionable at best.
“It’s just so unproven. There’s no star power with the offensive line,” Williamson said during a Monday afternoon appearance on 105.9 The X. “I do think the scheme (under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada) will help it dramatically. Without question. And in the end, it may be better than last year’s line, which is a really low bar.”
Then came Monday’s practice which featured Chuks Okorafor at right tackle and rookie Dan Moore Jr. playing on the left side. Banner has only been able to manage 12 snaps at right tackle during the preseason games and has missed multiple practices.
Via TribLIVE’s Joe Rutter, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said “it was a chance to show versatility” and didn’t say whether that would be the alignment for Week 1 of the regular season in Buffalo.
I’m not so sure Tomlin is actually all that worried about showing “versatility” with a line that is already full of unknown, moving parts heading into the first week of the season. That sounds to me like a head coach fishing for the best combination that can start as he approaches the first game week of 2021.
Inexperience aside, though, Williamson seems to think the Steelers may have found something in Moore. The fourth-rounder out of Texas A&M struggled with starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith when the team began practicing in training camp. But he performed pretty well in games, grading out nicely from Pro Football Focus.
“Being overwhelmed by Highsmith says a lot more about Highsmith. I think he is going to be a really good starter (at outside linebacker). I really think he is going to be an exceptional player,” Williamson said. “I’m impressed with Moore. I think that he might be a long-term starter. I think he moves well. I think there is a lot there to work with if he is thrust into the starting job.
That said, starting a rookie along the offensive line is always a challenge. Now, the Steelers may be starting two of them, with third-round pick Kendrick Green perhaps beginning the year at center.
“I would expect a lot of growing pains. And a lot of help with pass protection situations. Keeping a tight end or a running back to his side. But, so far, for a fourth-round pick, I’ll take that all day long.”
As for Okorafor’s performance during training camp and the preseason, Williamson is less glowing in his analysis.
“Uneven,” Williamson said of Okorafor’s play. “I think that every step of the way he has had in the pros has been two steps forward, one step back. One step forward, two steps back. I do think (the original plan) of moving him to left tackle (was) very advantageous. And I think that is his natural spot.”
Now, though, with Banner potentially out to start the year, Okorafor may need to make the most out of playing right tackle, as he attempted to do in 2020 when he started 15 games.
In Tuesday’s podcast, you can hear a portion of my conversation with Williamson from Monday on 105.9 The X. We talk a bit more about the offensive line and its lack of continuity. We dive into Dwayne Haskins’ first preseason as a Steeler. And we analyze how big of a deal J.K. Dobbins’ injury may be for the Baltimore Ravens to overcome.
Listen: Tim Benz and Matt Williamson discuss moves on the Steelers offensive line