Indecision Is The Worst Decision With Broderick Jones
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Coming into the 2024 season, the offensive line appeared to be a strength the Pittsburgh Steelers could lean on. Veteran guards Issac Seumalo and James Daniels were stalwarts in the middle of the line. The Steelers drafted tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier with the 20th and 51st overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both were positions of need because last year’s starting right tackle, Broderick Jones, was supposed to move to the left side to take over the starting tackle job.
Jones was the 14th pick in the 2023 Draft. His athleticism was off the charts and enabled him to dominate in college. The former Georgia All-American took over the right tackle spot in Week 9 last season and never looked back. While he struggled at times with his pass protection, he was an absolute road grader in the run game.
The weaker parts of his game were all things that could be fixed with work in the offseason. His pad level was often too high when rushers bull-rushed him, and he didn’t defend well against counter moves. Flaws like that are to be expected from a rookie who was able to overwhelm defenders with his physical tools while in college.
Fast forward to the 2024 preseason, and Jones has been an absolute disaster. To say he has regressed would be an extreme understatement. Through the first two “practice “ games, Jones has given up 2.5 sacks and eight pressures. His run blocking hasn’t been much better as he is not able to get to second-level defenders, which was his calling card in his rookie season. The problem areas from last season have gotten worse, judging by what he’s put on tape so far.
either gregory rosseau is first-team all pro or broderick jones is worst-team all pro bc jesus christ pic.twitter.com/PVDRHlDsJl
— nick ercolano (@nickercolano) August 18, 2024
The Steelers have had an unfortunate tendency to play offensive linemen out of position for the last several years. Both Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green were mismanaged and set up for failure. Green was asked to play center, which he had never played before in his life, and Dotson was traded to the Rams last season, where he had an 84.4 Pro Football Focus grade, which was second-highest in the league for guards.
They appear to be in the middle of repeating that mistake. Pittsburgh drafted Jones to be the left tackle, yet the team seems reluctant to play him there. Why? It’s possible that no one knows, besides the Steelers’ brass. Omar Khan said in February that Jones would be the left tackle of the future, but we’re five months into the future, and there’s no progress.
Asked Omar Khan about Broderick Jones’ spot next year.
Khan says ‘eventually he will be a left tackle’ and that he was ‘drafted to be a left tackle’. pic.twitter.com/Lpz6sJvgqM
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 29, 2024
So what are they waiting on? It’s not like the incumbent Dan Moore Jr has been spectacular. In Moore’s three seasons as the starter, he has been consistently rated as a bottom-five tackle in the league. So there is clearly a void for Jones to fill.
Some will point to Jones being hurt, but that’s hard to swallow. Sure, he’s banged up now, but let’s be honest: it’s the preseason. Guys sit out with hangnails during the preseason. If he’s too hurt to start at left tackle, it raises the question of why is he even on the field in the first place.
The next working theory in the fanbase is that since Moore can’t play right tackle, Jones needs to be on the right side battling Fautanu for the starting position. Again, what? Since when is your starting left tackle your swing tackle? That’s right: Never. Yet here the Steelers are, wasting time with their supposed franchised left tackle, all because a backup who won’t even be on the team next year can’t or won’t play the other side.
At some point, the Steelers have to stop making excuses and put the man at his natural position. Yes, Fautanu is currently injured, but reports say he will be back by Week 1. So there shouldn’t be anything to stand in Jones’ way in his pursuit of the starting left tackle spot.
OT Troy Fautanu Plans To Play In Regular Season Opener https://t.co/rc17yQyohy #Steelers #Pittsburgh #NFL pic.twitter.com/lqeow2LjJz
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 20, 2024
Enough is enough. Just make the decision on where Jones is going to play long-term and let him play and develop there. All the flip-flopping can’t be good for his development or his confidence. While playing him at his natural position seems to be the right call, it’s time to make a decision — any decision — stick with it, and live with the results.
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