Bedard's Breakdown: Could Chukwuma Okorafor be a potential steal for Patriots at left tackle?

In the run-up to camp, let's break down some of the new additions to the Patriots, including our film and video analysis.

BACKGROUND

Chukwuma Okorafor

2018 third-round pick of Steelers (92nd overall) out of Western Michigan.

From the team: Okorafor, 26, is a veteran of six NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers after originally joining the team as a third-round draft pick (92nd overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder, was released by Pittsburgh on Feb. 12, 2024. Overall, he has played in 77 regular season games with 59 starts at right tackle. In addition, he has played and started in two postseason games. Last season with Pittsburgh, Okorafor played in 14 games and started the first seven games at right tackle.

Will turn 27 on Aug. 8th.
2018 third-round pick of Steelers (92nd overall) out of Western Michigan.
Played six seasons with the Steelers.
Released by Steelers in February as a cap casualty and a midseason benching.

Why was he benched? For being honest and telling the truth (the media here welcomes you to New England, Chuks!):

I'm told by multiple locker-room sources, Okorafor made a mistake near the end of the 20-10 loss to the Jaguars at Acrisure Stadium in remarking, apparently within earshot of Tomlin, that the offense should simply kneel out the remainder of the clock rather than continuing to run plays.

And to be specific for context, the Steelers were down 10 points with 1:52 remaining upon taking the ball at the Pittsburgh 2 for what'd be their final possession. It'd end with a Mitch Trubisky interception with five seconds remaining.

Basically, Mike Tomlin overheard Okorafor telling someone that offensive coordinator Matt Canada is terrible, and Tomlin benched him.

Oh, Tomlin fired Canada two weeks later.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Combine testing

6-6, 320 pounds
34¼ arms, 10¼ hands
19 bench
23.5 vertical
5.31 40 yards
1.85 10 yards
Relative Athletic Score: 4.12 out of 10. Ranked 575 out of 976 OTs from 1987 to 2018.

THEY SAID IT

“He just turned 25 years old. He’s still young, so he’s got a lot to learn, but he is athletic. He’s got all the potential in the world. He does it a lot to where it’s not just flashes; he can be that type of guy in terms of being a lock-down right tackle.” — Former Steelers line coach Pat Meyers two years ago.

RELEVANT STATS (via PFF)

PENALTIES

21 accepted, 9 declined

10 false start
9 holding
5 illegal formation

INJURY HISTORY

Just a concussion for one week in 2021.

MONEY MATTERS

A one-year contract worth a base value of $4.0 million with $3.125 million guaranteed. An additional $4.25 million is available through incentives. $4 million cap.

PLAYER STRENGTHS

Has the size, weight and length to play the position. Athletic ability on film is far from explosive or ideal, but it's better than his testing numbers. He has nice feet and can move well. ... Wins by absorbing pressure instead of deflecting it with his large and strong hands. ... Good kick slide and gets into pass-blocking position quickly. ... At the top of his pass pro, he doesn't do much the way you would teach it, but 9 times out of 10, he gets the job done: getting between the rusher and the quarterback. He'll scare you to death, and often you think he's about to get his ass kicked and the QB killed, but he almost always finds a way to bow up at the last second and give the QB time. ... Smart player. Understands blocking schemes and protections. Knows how to deal with blitzes and does a very good job of taking the most pressing threat. ... Has a little nasty to him, on occasion.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks ideal strength and punch, which is often a bad combination, especially against power. ... When he does punch, it often has little effect. ... Often gives up a lot of ground, we're talking 3-4 yards when taking on a power rusher. However, he usually finds a moment to bow up at the last second. ... Doesn't generate much power in the run game. More of an angle blocker. ... His leverage is inconsistent when run blocking. Needs to be more technical and fundamental in that area. ... Prefers to allow the rusher into him and then bear hug with long arms and big hands. That leads to grabby penalties and his hands getting up to the face. ... Not overly physical. His effectiveness and drive is inconsistent. He looked like a different player in the Browns and Rams game, like someone lit a fire under him.

WHERE DOES HE FIT?

Not powerful enough for right tackle if you want to be a running team, so he's a left tackle to me. At worst a backup at both spots.

FILM ANALYSIS

BOTTOM LINE

If Okorafor can get stronger (he's still relatively young) and if offensive line coaches Scott Peters and Robert Kugler can develop any effective punch and make Okorafor more consistent, the Patriots might have something here. He is far from a work of art or the ideal at the position, but he has the tools and effectiveness to do a solid to good job if he can improve in all areas and play more consistently with physicality and aggressiveness.

I didn't see many really bad plays on film where you question whether he can play at all. You're more left wondering, 'Why isn't he better at this stage of his career?' The answer could reside with all the issues the Steelers have had with consistent line coaching and the offensive coordinator position (it's about as bad as the Patriots' recent history). If Peters and Kugler are good and can develop talent, there's no reason why Okorafor can't be at least serviceable and not in need of constant help.

I think the Patriots potentially do have a steal here, but much will depend on Okorafor's improvement.