Dylan Cook Working As Steelers’ 1st-String RT

The 22-year-old played every snap of his college career at right tackle, but at Pittsburgh’s spring practices, it was Dylan Cook who took first-team reps at 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 way to Pittsburgh in 2023. He spent the next three years on the Steelers’ practice squad but did not appear in a regular-season game until Week 14 of last year following an injury to Andrus Peat. Broderick Jones was already down for the year, so Cook closed out the season as the starting left tackle with a team-high 79.4 pass blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The former Montana Grizzly now has an opportunity 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 will have to fight off Iheanachor, who was viewed as a raw-but-tantalizing prospect during the pre-draft process.

Cook impressed last year, but his performance may not carry as much weight with a new coaching staff, which includes new offensive line coach JamesCampen. Teams also face pressure to put their first-round picks on the field right away, which should at least 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 the entire unit is crucial for a relatively immobile passer. Cook’s experience could therefore be a factor in the battle for the Week 1 starting job with Iheanachor working to make his pro debut later in the season.