Ex-Steelers OL Predicts Former First-Round Pick Has Lost Starting Job

A former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman believes one of the team's high draft picks is no longer the starter.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:47pm

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According to former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex, the team's 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones has lost his starting job at left tackle to undrafted free agent Dylan Cook. Essex believes Cook played well in Jones' absence due to injury last season and that Jones now has to prove himself worthy of regaining the starting role in a crucial contract year.

Why it matters

The Steelers have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, so the battle for the starting left tackle job is an important one. This situation highlights the challenges high draft picks can face in the NFL, as well as the opportunities that can arise for undrafted players to earn starting roles.

The details

Broderick Jones was selected 14th overall by the Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft, but has disappointed through his first three seasons. Last year, he suffered a season-ending neck injury, allowing Dylan Cook to step in and play well, allowing just one sack on 291 offensive snaps. Cook also held Browns star Myles Garrett to just one tackle, one QB hit and zero sacks in a key late-season game. Essex believes Cook has now earned the starting job, and that it's up to Jones to prove he deserves it back in a crucial contract year.

  • In 2023, the Steelers selected Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
  • In 2025, Jones suffered a season-ending neck injury.
  • In 2025, Dylan Cook stepped in at left tackle and played well, allowing just one sack on 291 snaps.
  • In Week 17 of the 2025 season, Cook held Myles Garrett to one tackle, one QB hit and zero sacks.

The players

Broderick Jones

A former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 who has disappointed through his first three NFL seasons and is now fighting to regain his starting left tackle job.

Dylan Cook

An undrafted free agent who stepped in for the injured Broderick Jones in 2025 and played well, allowing just one sack on 291 offensive snaps and holding star pass rusher Myles Garrett in check.

Trai Essex

A former offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers who believes Dylan Cook should be the team's starting left tackle going into the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Dylan Cook is the starter going into camp. And it is incumbent upon Broderick to show the coaches that he has worked in the offseason, that he's fully recovered from this injury, and that this is a contract year.”

— Trai Essex, Former Steelers Offensive Lineman (93.7 The Fan)

“It's a make-or-break year for Broderick, not only for his career in Pittsburgh, but his career as a starter in general, because if he doesn't win this job here, I think he has a career as a swing tackle. Him being a starter might not happen if he doesn't win this year. So this is a super important year for him, but I think you definitely go with Dylan Cook as a starter with the way that he ended the year and see if Broderick can supplant him.”

— Trai Essex, Former Steelers Offensive Lineman (93.7 The Fan)

What’s next

The Steelers will have an open competition at left tackle during training camp and the preseason, with Dylan Cook entering as the presumptive starter and Broderick Jones needing to prove he deserves the job back.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges high draft picks can face in the NFL, as well as the opportunities that can arise for undrafted players to earn starting roles. It will be an important position battle to watch as the Steelers look to solidify their offensive line heading into the 2026 season.