First-round pick Broderick Jones preparing in case Steelers need him to start in Week 2

Broderick Jones played four snaps in his NFL debut Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Chuks Okorafor doesn’t emerge from concussion protocol this week, the team’s No. 1 draft pick might be playing plenty more in Week 2.

Jones would be in line to start at left tackle in the event Okorafor isn’t cleared in time for the Steelers’ game Monday night against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.

Okorafor, the starter at right tackle, exited the Steelers’ 30-7 loss against the San Francisco 49ers late in the fourth quarter, prompting Jones to step into the lineup with left tackle Dan Moore Jr moving to the right side.

“I think I did pretty well just sticking to my roots and sticking to what coach Pat (Meyer) taught me, and implementing them to my game helped a lot,” Jones said Monday.

The Steelers moved up three spots in the first round to take Jones with the No. 14 overall pick. He entered the season as the backup to Moore at left tackle as the Steelers didn’t want to rush his development.

That wait may be over not only because of Okorafor’s health but based on Jones’ play in the opener against the 49ers. Moore allowed nine pressures, six hurries, two hits and a sack while earning Pro Football Focus’ lowest grade overall among tackles and in pass blocking.

Quarterback Kenny Pickett was sacked five times, including two of the final four plays when Jones was on the field. Much of the pressure, though, came from the opposite side where Moore was stationed.

“It’s good just to be able to play in a game, (but) I feel like those four plays don’t make a difference either way,” Jones said. “I have to be prepared when my name is called.”

If Jones lines up at left tackle against the Browns, he could look across the line of scrimmage and see Myles Garrett, who opened the season with a sack in Cleveland’s 24-3 win against Cincinnati and is coming off back-to-back 16-sack seasons.

“I’ve watched a little bit of his game,” Jones said. “I never sat down and studied him because I never played against him. That’s something I’m looking forward to this week.”

Jones took few snaps with the first-team offense in training camp, but he played the most snaps of any Steelers offensive lineman in the preseason. He said his preparation won’t change no matter which unit he practices with in advance of the Browns game.

“You just have to take every week like it’s the last and prepare to the best of your ability,” he said. “Always be prepared no matter what because anything can happen. I try to stick to that method.”