Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore: I gotta keep working

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave starting tackle Dan Moore a vote of confidence this offseason. Moore impressed in his rookie season after the fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was thrusted into the starting rotation right before the start of the regular season. Pittsburgh started the former Texas A&M offensive lineman at the left tackle position, leaving him in charge of protecting former Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s blindside.

Despite the Steelers offensive line woes last season, Moore was a bright spot showing consistency in poise. He would start in all 16 games he played at left tackle and was in on 99% of the team’s snaps. In late May, while speaking to the media, Moore expressed his appreciation towards the Steelers for their vote of confidence in their young offensive lineman.

“I do, but at the same time, you got to keep working,” Moore said via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Obviously, I came in and won a job, so somebody can easily come in and do that, so I have to keep working.”

Steelers O-line woes

As mentioned above, the Steelers offensive line had more than its fair share of struggles they’re in the 2021 season. Rookie running back Najee Harris was frequently met in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage on a good amount of his rushing attempts. In Sept. alone, Harris was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage 70 percent of the time. That was the highest rate in the NFL for starting running backs.

Although Moore’s position with the team is safe, the Steelers did add two interior offensive linemen via free agency. Pittsburgh brought in Mason Cole former center of the Arizona Cardinals, and James Daniel former Chicago Bears guard.

Cole looks to be a solid pick-up by Pittsburgh, given his versatility on the offensive line. Over his career, he is primarily started at center, taking 2119 snaps; he took 257 snaps at right guard and 149 at left guard. Last season, he earned a 75.4 run block grade courtesy of Pro Football Focus at center.

Daniel is another plug-and-play-style offensive lineman who has taken snaps at multiple positions within the interior of the offensive line. The 24-year-old, who was selected in the second round out of Iowa in the 2018 NFL Draft, was a consistent starter for most of his time in Chicago. But Daniel did miss nearly all of the 2020-2021 season after tearing a pectoral muscle. He made a solid comeback last season, starting in all 17 games and participating in 100% of the offensive snaps for the Bears.