Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore will not start in 2024, which makes him an intriguing trade target. Selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Texas A&M product spent the past three seasons protecting Pittsburgh’s blindside. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done a great job, as the Steelers used their past two first-round picks on offensive tackles.
Barring injury, Moore will only see the field as a depth option with the Steelers. While the three-year starter is nothing special, he can provide some much-needed help to a team with poor offensive line play. According to Bleacher Report, the Raiders should consider a Dan Moore trade as a way to solidify the right tackle position.
It would be good to see the Raiders add a veteran to compete or add depth before training camp. Dan Moore Jr. could be a trade option. He has been the Steelers’ starter at left tackle but will likely be replaced by first-round pick Troy Fautanu. Perhaps flipping over to the right side would extend his run as an NFL starter and the Steelers might be willing to part with him.
Steelers, Raiders Linked In Dan Moore Trade
Chances are, Dan Moore isn’t going to be the long-term fix if the Raiders trade for him. The offensive lineman finished the 2023 season with an underwhelming 54.4 PFF grade and has yet to record a year with a top-50 positional ranking. PFF grades are not gospel, but they provide a general idea of a player’s abilities.
Vegas is something of a questionable fit as well, as their offensive tackle position is in decent shape. Kolton Miller is one of the league’s better starters, and Thayer Munford is an adequate right tackle. Even if injury strikes, Andrus Peat can fill in at a moment’s notice. Frankly, it’s hard to see why the Raiders would trade for Dan Moore.
While Vegas might not be interested in a Dan Moore trade, several other teams could be. Even though the Texas A&M product hasn’t set the world on fire, he still belongs in the NFL and can fit in as a high-end backup or short-term starter. Seeing as there are not enough starting tackles to meet demand, these five teams could roll the dice on the three-year starter.
Other Potential Destinations
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are placing their hopes on Ryan Ramczyk staying healthy and first-round rookie Taliese Fuaga contributing from Day 1. If both players live up to their potential, the Saints offensive line should be adequate. However, if one or both falter, New Orleans is in trouble. Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league against pressure, so the Saints must find reliable tackle play to make the playoffs. A Dan Moore trade won’t singlehandedly fix the issue, but he’s probably better than Trevor Penning.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are embracing the rebuild and constructing the roster from the ground up. Drake Maye might not be under center in Week 1, but the North Carolina product will require adequate blocking when he inevitably takes over for Jacoby Brissett. Perhaps third-round rookie Caedan Wallace can hit the ground running, but New England should trade for a veteran like Dan Moore in case the rookie isn’t ready to go.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have arguably the strongest interior offensive line in football. Their tackle position, however, could use some help. Jawaan Taylor’s massive contract ensures he’ll be back for another season, but Kansas City still needs a left tackle. Perhaps second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia can start right away, but a win-now team like the Chiefs shouldn’t put that much pressure on the rookie. A Dan Moore trade would provide some stability for the position as he competes with Suamataia and Wayna Morris for the starting job.
Carolina Panthers
In a perfect world, the Carolina Panthers won’t need an additional veteran tackle in 2024. However, given the relative uncertainty of the position, the team should consider a Dan Moore trade. After a strong rookie season, Ikem Ekwonu struggled in 2023. Perhaps he will bounce back with a new coaching staff, but Carolina shouldn’t put all their eggs in his basket. Bryce Young spent his rookie year consistently running from pressure, and he can’t do that again in Year 2.
Green Bay Packers
Former seventh-round pick Rasheed Walker performed admirably in relief of the injured David Bakhtiari last year. Now, with the former All-Pro gone, Walker will be protecting Jordan Love for the foreseeable future. Perhaps he’s up for this task, but Green Bay cannot afford to bet on him maintaining his decent level of play. A Dan Moore trade would improve the Packers depth at one of the most important positions in the game while also adding a much-needed Plan B in case Walker regresses.
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