Steelers Best Options At Offensive Tackle In The 2023 NFL Draft
After adding two new guards in Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig, the only missing piece to completely revamp this Steelers offensive line is a left tackle. While Dan Moore has shown some flashes at times, he’s very replaceable. With the depth at Offensive Tackle in this draft, The Steelers might be willing to go get a guy to complete the overhaul. Keeping Kenny Pickett safe is the number one priority, after his two concussions last year, you need to keep him upright.
Kenny Pickett was sacked 27 times last year, Mitch Trubisky was sacked 11 times. Dan Moore allowed seven sacks himself. If any spot on the line is in jeopardy, it’s his. Maybe Moore needs a fire lit under him. Drafting a tackle early at the NFL Draft should do just that. If it doesn’t? That says enough in itself. Nothing better than a little competition at Training Camp, we see it every year.
Dawand Jones
According to scouts at NFL.com, Dawand Jones from Ohio State will eventually become a good starter. Jones is a mountain of a man, standing at six foot eight, 374 pounds. He has 36⅜ inch arms, making him effective in space. Jones was part of the number one total offense in College Football last year at Ohio State. He made PFF’s Third Team All-American in a year where he played 693 snaps and didn’t allow a sack playing Right Tackle.
Jones is just a great athlete overall. He had offers to play Division 1 basketball but chose football instead. His pro player comparison is Trent Brown. Pretty good. He ran a 5.35-second 40-yard dash, which may feel slow but you have to consider his size. Scouts say Jones has good awareness and is dominant in the run game, good news for Najee Harris.
Broderick Jones
Also a mountain of a man, Broderick Jones stands at six foot five and weighs 311 pounds. Playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, he knows what it means to win. He’s been keeping Stetson Bennett in good shape for a while, playing 295 pass-blocking snaps this season and not allowing a sack. Jones made the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2021 and built on that by becoming All-SEC First Team in 2022.
Broderick Jones’s pro player comparison is Andrew Thomas according to NFL.com. They think he can be a good starter within two years. Not too shabby. Scouts say Jones is a great run blocker and has strong arms and a powerful grip. He ran a 4.97-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He was the top tackle recruit in 2020 and will now get a chance to protect a quarterback in the NFL. It never feels bad to draft a Georgia player, they’ve built something special down there with Head Coach Kirby Smart.
Anton Harrison
The 21-year-old that played in Oklahoma for the Sooners stands at six foot four and 315 pounds. Anton Harrison played Left Tackle last season and only allowed one sack. The kid from Washington D.C. went on to get All-Big 12 First Team Honors in 2022 but could be available for the Steelers. Scouts seem to have good things to say about Harrison. They say he plays through the whistle, takes pride in the run game, and has a strong initial punch. Sounds like Steelers football.
At the NFL Combine, Harrison ran a 4.98-second 40-yard dash. NFL.com scouts have his pro player comparison as Dion Dawkins. They think he’ll be an average starter in the NFL. Scouts have also raved about his speed and combo of size and length. Could be a Steeler in April at the draft.