How did the Pittsburgh Steelers third-round rookie look in his debut at right tackle?
Lost in the Pittsburgh Steelers upset loss to the Denver Broncos was the debut of third-round rookie Chukwuma Okorafor. While it is nice to see the rookie get a chance to start, it was not necessarily in the Steelers plans to get him this involved this early. They needed two injuries to Marcus Gilbert and Matt Feiler to get to this point. They also likely did not plan for his first start to come at Denver against Von Miller.
However, the depth is why they thought they needed him and they were right. So, with that in mind, how did the rookie look in his debut?
Getting Help
To start, it should be noted that the Pittsburgh Steelers were not going to send him out there on an island. They got him as much help as they could at every passing turn.
On the play below you can see two tight ends between the defensive end and outside linebacker on the right side. Then, Xavier Grimble is also outside of that linebacker.
On this play, it is Ryan Switzer and Jesse James setting up between the end and linebacker with Smith-Schuster shaded right to the outside. From these alignments, life was able to get a lot easier for the rookie.
He would get the benefit of chips like the play below from Vance McDonald, Jesse James, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Vance McDonald vs Von Miller pic.twitter.com/AJzrRTA2Bi
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Jesse James vs Von Mller pic.twitter.com/Ahx7rAKtMI
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Play Calling
The Steelers also worked to get the football out of Ben Roethlisberger hands a lot quicker in this game. On the bottom play below you can see Okorafor initially lined up one-on-one with Von Miller. Miller is able to extend his arm and push Okorafor back. James Conner comes over to the outside to force Miller back inside. While Miller can counter inside, Roethlisberger has let go of the ball.
Von Miller vs Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/rssEDWKDnq
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
On the bottom play below we see Miller use that counter and set up a spin move to the inside. However, the Steelers had a great counter to that by flaring James Conner to the side in which Miller was rushing from. Along with the chips. The quick pass to Conner helped get pressure off of Okorafor.
Von Miller vs Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/konbk68cVR
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
The Steelers also used RPO’s to get the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger hands quick and avoid the pass rush of Denver. On these plays, the line blocks as if it is a run. This keeps defenders from rushing upfield, as they sit back to anticipate where the back will go.
The RPO is a more prevalent college play, and Okorafor was at his best in these moments. On the bottom play below he executes a combination block. You can see that the outside backer, 48, is waiting due to Okorafor showing run. However, that buys Okorafor the chance to get his hands on him and get the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hands clean.
Chuks Okorafor RPO pic.twitter.com/lC9VKF35Wi
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Nobody is going to want to revisit the Steelers last offensive play, but it was a strong power pull from the rookie tackle on an RPO.
Chuks Okorafor RPO pic.twitter.com/FTD4FNSMxn
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Run game
Okorafor had decent success in the running game too. He is able to get to the second level and make a block on the linebacker, 51 in the play below.
However, later in the game, in a similar scenario, he is unable to contain his man who squirts free and makes the second level tackle.
Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/8co3EP0tld
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Von Miller
Now, we get to the meat of the article — Von Miller vs. Chuks Okorafor one-on-one. The first play is the second tweet below. Miller uses a quick stutter step to get the right tackle to step outside. He looks to split David DeCastro, and Okorafor, who he just opened up. DeCastro is there to help, and the quick pass makes life easy for the rookie.
Von Miller vs Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/itE6IU5F4J
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
The next play in the second tweet shows Okorafor hanging on for dear life. However, he is able to cover up Miller, who gets his hand out and armbars his opponent quick. Still, Okorafor held his ground despite losing the initial battle and hung in long enough for the pass to get off. Against Von Miller, that is all you can do.
Chuks Okorafor vs Von Mller pic.twitter.com/HJs9EziUmP
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
On the top play below we see Okorafor give him the ole as Von Miller rushes right by him without a hand on him. This is just ridiculous speed by Von Miller, and once again a quick pass makes Okorafor look better.
On the bottom play, Okorafor catches up a bit. Miller again explodes off of the football with unreal bend. However, this time Okorafor does get hands on him; enough to reroute him and cause Roethlisberger to throw to his side without distraction.
Von Miller vs Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/W0x2Gvyw5s
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
For his third speed rush, Von Miller wins again around the edge on the bottom play. This time Roethlisberger does a great job of feeling it and stepping up in the pocket. These plays are going to happen to anyone. While Okorafor was not necessarily great, he certainly did not fall all over himself against speed that he will not see often.
A bonus play is the top one where he takes on Derek Wolfe. Like Miller earlier, Wolfe is able to get his arm extended into his chest and drive him back on his pursuit to the quarterback.
Von Miller vs Chuks Okorafor pic.twitter.com/gnB9tumHVx
— Full Press Steelers (@FPC_Steelers) November 27, 2018
Overall, Chukwuma Okorafor played about as well as you could expect from a rookie third-round pick who was labeled raw coming out taking on Von Miller. That is not to say he played well. Still, you did not see him show up. He did not make an impact.
Yes, the Steelers adjusted their gameplan to help him out. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger had to make plays and be cautious of his young right tackle in this game. Still, he got his feet wet against an extremely tough opponent. He was not the reason the Steelers lost and will walk away with a strong learning experience.
– Parker Hurley is Pittsburgh Steelers team manager of Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @parkerhurley Follow @FPC_Steelers and Facebook.
