Steelers pick OT Moore, double down on zone blockers

Kevin Colbert continued to focus on players who can help the Steelers' run game Saturday.

The Steelers selected Texas A&M offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. with the 128th pick in the NFL Draft:

The pick was the team's fourth consecutive offensive player drafted, something the organization hadn't done since 1984.

Moore, of Beaumont, Texas, started all 36 games for Texas A&M from his sophomore through senior seasons. At left tackle, he was a big part of the Aggies' offensive line that allowed, among SEC teams, the fewest sacks per game (0.7), fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (3.8) and the most yards per carry (5.45).

"This year, we showed in our A&M offensive line that we loved to run the ball," Moore said Saturday. "We got excited when our coach called run plays. That alone should tell you the demeanor I had in this last season."

At 6-foot-6, 311 pounds., Moore fit well into the Aggies' zone-blocking scheme. His 83 1/2-inch wing span was one of the largest in the 2021 tackle class. After being selected, Moore seemed surprised the Steelers picked him.

"I talked to them at the Senior Bowl," Moore said of the Steelers. "But I'm as clueless as you are. Besides my agent letting me know when I first signed with him, I didn't know anything of them having any interest in me."

Moore transitioned from guard to tackle at Texas A&M in his 2017 freshman season. Like the Steelers' third-round pick in Illinois guard/center Kendrick Green, Moore shows a mean demeanor on tape in run blocking, something he said he especially exhibited in 2020. Moore also revealed that he is good friends with Green.

"Kendrick Green, man, that's my guy," Moore said. "I literally texted him right before the pick went up and let him know we're about to be teammates. I'm waiting to talk to him right after this because we trained together."

Now the two get to work on changing the Steelers' offensive line as rookies.