Steelers' Broderick Jones is closing the gap between him and Dan Moore Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been planning for the future at left tackle since they selected Broderick Jones in April's draft. The months leading up to now haven't exactly played to his favor though, with Jones supplanted firmly behind Dan Moore Jr. in first-team reps. But following a weekend that saw him dominate a preseason game, […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been planning for the future at left tackle since they selected Broderick Jones in April's draft.
The months leading up to now haven't exactly played to his favor though, with Jones supplanted firmly behind Dan Moore Jr. in first-team reps.
But following a weekend that saw him dominate a preseason game, and have the best training camp practice of his young career, the goalposts may suddenly be shifting:
Broderick Jones Leads Steelers Tackles in PFF grade, Snap Counts
Jones played in his first-ever NFL contest on Friday, and the Steelers put him to work. His 49 plays were the highest of any Steelers offensive player, and his PFF grade was higher than starting left tackle Dan Moore. He looked solid as a pass protector, and showed how he can immediately contribute to the run game:
Watch big 77 on the left. Jones walls off the three-technique before climbing to the backer and helping spring a cutback on a wide zone run. That was just one of the many plays that helped create a fantastic debut for Jones.
But he didn't rest on Friday's appearance, instead, he doubled down yesterday in Latrobe. Garnering some first-team reps, Jones held his own in team drills, showing that he can manage practice with the "big boys."
But where he really shined was in one-on-ones where both DeMarvin Leal and fellow rookie standout Nick Herbig were no match for the talented tackle.
And in fairness to Dan Moore, he was fine on Friday night, but he has struggled against Pittsburgh's first-team pass rushers this camp. I'm sure that if Jones had more reps against T.J. Watt and Alex Highmisth it wouldn't be much better, but his pass protection is already considerably improved since he arrived in the spring.
His performance over the weekend sets up the biggest week yet for Jones. Seeing as it's the last week of camp for Pittsburgh, how many first-team reps he receives before Saturday's game will be telling for his prospects as starting left tackle.
The season is nearing closer by the day, and Jones is hitting his stride at the perfect time. Will Dan Moore Jr. hold him off? Or does Jones use the momentum to unseat the incumbent?
We will find out soon enough.
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Featured image via:© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
