Now that the 2021 season is over, bringing yet one more yr of disappointment, a fifth consecutive season with no postseason victories, it’s time to take inventory of the place the Pittsburgh Steelers stand. Particularly, the place Steelers gamers stand individually primarily based on what we now have seen and are seeing over the course of the season and into the offseason because it performs out. We can even be reviewing gamers primarily based on their earlier season and their prospects for the longer term. A inventory analysis can take a few totally different approaches and I’ll attempt to clarify my reasoning. In some instances, will probably be primarily based on extra long-term tendencies. In different situations, will probably be a direct response to one thing that simply occurred. Due to this, we will and can see a participant greater than as soon as over the course of the season as we transfer ahead.
Participant: T Chukwuma Okorafor
Inventory Worth: Even
Reasoning: Though one might argue that Okorafor had his finest season in 2021, I don’t consider that he considerably raised his worth relative to what might have been fairly anticipated, and the truth that he was scheduled to play at left sort out however needed to transfer again to proper sort out won’t be of profit to him on the open market, until he really bombed enjoying left sort out.
2021 was, all issues thought-about, a wonderful season for Chukwuma Okorafor. It was largely quiet, which isn’t the worst descriptor for an offensive lineman, however I don’t know that he meaningfully boosted his market worth over the course of the yr relative to what was anticipated.
This previous season was the primary in his four-year profession through which he was slated to be an meant starter, anticipated to maneuver to proper sort out following the crew’s resolution to not re-sign Alejandro Villanueva. Okorafor began 16 video games at proper sort out in 2020, however solely after Zach Banner, who defeated him in a coaching camp competitors, tore his ACL within the opener.
Due to a setback in his restoration from that ACL harm, Banner was not able to play firstly of the yr. With rookie Dan Moore Jr. solely able to play at left sort out, the teaching employees made the choice to start out him there and transfer Okorafor again to the appropriate aspect in late August or early September, though he had been working towards on the left aspect all offseason.
When it comes to his on-field efficiency, it was his finest season so far, which one would usually count on when speaking a few younger offensive lineman, however he did have too many penalties, eight in all, six of which, inexcusably, had been false begins. He solely had two in his first three seasons. However he didn’t draw a maintain, in response to Professional Soccer Reference.
Will probably be fascinating to see what his market seems to be like and whether or not or not the Steelers have a lot curiosity in retaining him. They do have Banner beneath contract for $5 million. Would they transfer forward with the idea that Banner is their present best choice to start out at proper sort out? Would they launch him and use that cap financial savings to re-sign Okorafor? Maybe we’ll know within the subsequent few days.
