Steelers Made An Impressive Gamble That Paid Off In 2023 And Now They Want To Do It Again: "Can't Get That Out Of My Mind"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been focused on building up the offensive line for the last several years. Going into 2024, it finally seems like the organization might have a good, reliable set of five offensive linemen. They utilized their two highest picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on players that are likely ready to start in Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu. They used their first round pick in 2023 on Broderick Jones, and they also have two of the better veteran guards in the league in Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.

Pittsburgh has a lot of young players on the offensive line that could be expected to contribute immediately, which doesn't always work due to how hard it is to adjust to the NFL. The only two positions on Pittsburgh's line that are set in stone are the two guards spots with Seumalo and Daniels. This leaves a lot to speculate. Insider Mark Kaboly went on 93.7 The Fan on Monday, and he was asked for his starting offensive line for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Kaboly pointed how much of wild card right tackle is.

"It's going to be that wild card, I think it's going to be that wild card on the right tackle. I still think Fautanu should be the guy. But, I just look at Dan Moore and how much they like from Dan Moore, how much experience he has. How much it worked last year with bringing Broderick Jones along slowly. Can't get that out of my mind. They might go with him, as in Dan Moore, for a week or two or three or a month."

Kaboly thought Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, and Daniels would be the starters, going from left to right. The question comes at right tackle. Fautanu and Dan Moore Jr. are natural left tackles, who will each be competing for the starting job on the right side. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has a history of making rookies sit at the beginning of the year, and earning their way onto the field. This is something that could happen with Fautanu.

Frazier is also a rookie, but should start right away as the Steelers don't have any true competition for him on the roster. In 2023, Jones didn't become a consistent starter until Week 9. Making him sit to begin his rookie year proved to work, as the run game improved dramatically once he took over at right tackle. 

Pittsburgh saw this strategy work as recently as last year, which may make them lean towards doing it again. However, Moore struggled at left tackle for the last three seasons. He has publicly stated that he is uncomfortable playing on the right side. If he wins the job, not much should be expected out of him. It would also be concerning for Fautanu, being a first round pick that couldn't beat out a struggling left tackle for a position on the right side. 

Steelers Could Be Playing A Dangerous Game By Not Starting Fautanu

Jones was playing out of position once he became a starter during his rookie year. He impressed occasionally, but he also struggled as he received a 52.1 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Hopefully going back to the left side will help, but if the struggles continue, it could hurt the Steelers. If Moore is starting on the right side, and Jones struggles on the left, it could pit the organization's last two first round picks against each other. Fans would start to want to see Fautanu on the left side.

If Fautanu starts on the right side, there is less potential of a disaster. With Moore's history in Pittsburgh, even if either of the young tackles struggle, no fan or media member will beg the team to put Moore in. It would be a much safer move to start the two younger tackles. Pittsburgh saw their strategy work in 2023, and they want to do it again, but it may lead to their demise.

What do you think of Moore potentially starting Week 1? Let us know in the comments below!

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