This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have no roster need more pressing than offensive tackle. Unfortunately, the way the free agent market at that position is going, there’s no way the Steelers will have the money to spend. Case in point: Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler said that teams think the market for Taylor could be $17 million to $18 million per season.
For that kind of money, he must be really good, right?
Not so much. Taylor played 1,095 snaps this season, and his final grade according to Pro Football Focus was 58.7. To put that grade in perspective, Steelers starting left tackle Dan Moore graded out at 62.4 — and he is the offensive tackle this team needs to replace the most. Taylor allowed five sacks and Moore seven. Taylor had seven penalties and Moore had 10.
This means Pittsburgh is going to have to address the position in the 2023 NFL draft — and early. So all the people behind these mock drafts that have Pittsburgh taking a cornerback need to consider how much more challenging it is to replace a starting left tackle in free agency compared to a cornerback and what is a more practical path for the Steelers.
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