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Steelers' recent first-round pick admits that he is still experiencing a learning curve heading into year three in the NFL

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 2:07 PM ET

Make-or-break years in the NFL are years three and four.

That's especially true for first-round picks, given the team's decision on whether or not to pick up fifth-year options and ultimately re-sign the player long term.

That's the exact situation Broderick Jones find himself in, and right now, he has some ground to make up...

Broderick Jones is still adapting to Left Tackle

“I think it went as good as it could go. You know, with everything going on with me moving back to LT from RT," Jones told the media regarding his offseason. "I still got a couple more weeks to hone in on my skills and continue to develop on the left side and come in ready for training camp. If I’m being honest, I think I probably do need a couple more weeks. Not saying I’d be bad, but just for me. Just to feel like I’m in the mindset to play an actual game versus somebody else other than going against Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig.”

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I want to make something very clear: if Broderick Jones flops at left tackle and he goes back-to-back years looking like a bust, it won't be his fault; it will be the Pittsburgh Steelers' fault.

Why? Because you don't take a project player frst round in the NFL Draft, who needs time to develop at his natural position of left tackle, and then flip him to right tackle, and go "ok go be great."

That's what the Steelers have done. They now have to sit on their hands and hope that the light comes on in year three and that Jones going back to the position he was drafted to play, flips a switch. To hope the he uses the god given ability and potential he has to become a franchise left tackle.

Something tells me, the five weeks Jones has between now and training camp, and the month between camp and the season won't exactly do a lot for Jones. He's going to need on-the-job training to workout his kinks.

The Steelers just hope he can work those out in the preseason opposed to when the games matter.