Steelers are reportedly preparing to lose two starters in a position group that already needs all the help it can get
If you diagnosed any one unit on the Pittsburgh Steelers and said, "Man, they need some help there," it would be the offensive line. Sure the WR corps is in disarray outside of George Pickens, but Pittsburgh always has been and always will be a run-first team. Yet, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh […]
If you diagnosed any one unit on the Pittsburgh Steelers and said, "Man, they need some help there," it would be the offensive line.
Sure the WR corps is in disarray outside of George Pickens, but Pittsburgh always has been and always will be a run-first team.
Yet, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Steelers will be letting two former starting linemen walk in free agency…
Steelers preparing to lose Dan Moore Jr., James Daniels in 2025 NFL Free Agency
Some of those decisions have likely already been made. For example, they are not expected to re-sign two of their starting offensive linemen — left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and guard James Daniels — allowing them to enter the free agent market on March 12.
– Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Look, the immediate reaction will be, "Really two average starters are leaving, so what?" But Dan Moore Jr. quietly had the best season of his career last year in Pittsburgh, vastly improving his PFF Grade (for what that's worth).
As for James Daniels, he played in just four games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, yet he's still one of the best free agents according to ESPN, coming in at 38th in their annual free agent rankings…
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 48 times last season, and the Bengals must upgrade at guard. Daniels tore his Achilles in Week 4, but he provides run-blocking upside when healthy. From Weeks 1 to 4, Daniels' run block win rate of 82.7% ranked second among guards behind the Colts' Quenton Nelson.
– Matt Bowen, ESPN
And in fairness to the Steelers, they do have their contingency plan for those two positions on the roster. Troy Fautanu will likely go to LT to replace Moore, and Mason McCormick, who was thrust into a starting role last year will take the next step in his development as a full-time starter at guard.
Even still, betting on a year two player who missed nearly the whole season to be your LT come Week 1 and a fourth-round draft pick to be your guard of the future is a risky proposition.
