The Steelers used a first-round pick on Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor in April’s draft, but he may not step right into a starting role immediately.
The 22-year-old played every snap of his college profession at right tackle, but at Pittsburgh’s spring practices, it was Dylan Cook who took first-team reps on the position during OTAs, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Cook, 28, signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and made his strategy to Pittsburgh in 2023. He spent the following three years on the Steelers’ practice squad but didn’t appear in a regular-season game until Week 14 of last 12 months following an injury to Andrus Peat. Broderick Jones was already down for the 12 months, so Cook closed out the season because the starting left tackle with a team-high 79.4 pass blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
The previous Montana Grizzly now has a chance to take over the Steelers’ right tackle job with 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu, the starter for the last two years, flipping to the blind side. He could have to fight off Iheanachor, who was viewed as a raw-but-tantalizing prospect throughout the pre-draft process.
Cook impressed last 12 months, but his performance may not carry as much weight with a brand new coaching staff, which incorporates latest offensive line coach JamesCampen. Teams also face pressure to place their first-round picks on the sector immediately, which should no less than get Iheanachor some first-team looks during training camp.
Head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the importance of getting the blind side solidified in front of the right-handed Aaron Rodgers during spring practices, but confidence in your entire unit is crucial for a comparatively immobile passer. Cook’s experience could subsequently be a think about the battle for the Week 1 starting job with Iheanachor working to make his pro debut later within the season.