Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Is 'Head And Shoulders' Above Rookie Broderick Jones

The Pittsburgh Steelers immediately created a training camp battle to watch when the team moved up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to take offensive tackle, Broderick Jones from the University of Georgia. The franchise's 2021 fourth-round selection, Dan Moore Jr. has occupied the starting role at left tackle, making 34 starts, including one in the playoffs since being drafted. There have been lots of discussions about whether Jones will be able to knock Moore down the depth chart for the start of 2023.

Some think the rookie has the upper hand to start in Week 1, but The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote that, from what he's seen at camp so far, the incumbent is likely to be the choice for Head Coach, Mike Tomlin. Kaboly wrote that he spent Saturday's practice evaluating the two left tackles the best he could with limited sight lines. He concluded that Moore is still "head-and-shoulders ahead of Jones right now." He offered some analysis of what he's seen so far from the two players. 

"Moore was crisp in his sets; his hands were fast and his feet nimble," he wrote. "But what was most notable, other than maybe his playing with confidence was his willingness to finish blocks." 

Jones started in only 19 games during his career at Georgia and still has lots of work to do, according to Kaboly, to show he can be a starter in year one. He said the 22-year-old will need to show some major improvements in camp before he starts entering the conversation as a starter. 

"Jones appeared hesitant Saturday. He would engage with the defender well enough but wouldn’t finish the block. This wasn’t once. This was several times. He seemed like an offensive lineman who wasn’t sure of what he was doing, and that's understandable."

He added that it's not like Jones isn't doing anything well. He's held his own in one-on-one drills. The rookie could still win the job when the team starts to play in stadiums with fans in the preseason. If Moore can continue to build on the second half of the 2022 season when he was one of Pittsburgh's best linemen, it will be tough for Tomlin to take his job away. Pittsburgh, under Tomlin, has always been about being a competitive team in the hunt.   

Moore has his flaws too. Kaboly pointed out he's allowed 14 sacks and 21 quarterback hits to go with 14 penalties in two seasons. Those are issues he needs to fix and he knows that. 

Steelers' Jones Still Represents The Future At The Position

Moore has exceeded the pre-draft scouting evaluations that he was just a solid backup option. Even so, Jones represents the future at the left tackle position. Kaboly said it's understandable for it to take some time before Jones really emerges. 

"Regardless of when you are picked, the offensive line isn’t conducive to being a plug-and-play position," he wrote. "You have footwork on scoop blocks, footwork on front-side blocks, passing off defenders inside, picking up blitzes and combo blocks. It is not just hitting the guy in front of you and calling it a day. There is much more to it."  

Jones is only 22. He might not start Week 1. He might not start at all in his first year. He's going to get his time to shine eventually, and he'll need to. The organization is under pressure to make this pick work, given the significant investment of draft capital. The team did not only take him in the first round, but moved up to take a tackle in round one for the first time in 25 years. Kaboly wrote that, for the new front office to have this selection be looked back upon as a wise one, Jones will need to be at least a 10-year starter before he hangs up the cleats. 

Jones could change everything if he can dominate in preseason games, but Kaboly isn't convinced he wins the job unless Moore looks absolutely lost. At the end of the day, as the team looks to try to secure a playoff spot in 2023, the focus will be on who gives them the best chance to win in 2023. Jones will be given his chance when he shows he is the best man to help the team to victory.