Chukwuma

Okorafor

Okorafor started 48 games across three seasons with the Steelers from 2020-2022 but became a part-time player in 2023 before being signed by the Patriots ahead of the 2024 season. He appeared in just one game for New England last season before stepping away from the team, so the Jets will be hoping the 27-year-old can show enough to earn a job as a backup tackle.

Okorafor was placed on the exempt/left squad list in Week 2 of this season after starting New England’s first game and never returned to the Patriots. He is free to sign with a team immediately after being released. Okorafor started 48 games in three seasons at tackle for Pittsburgh from 2020-2022 before becoming a part-time player in 2023. Entering his age-28 season, it’s possible he catches on elsewhere in 2025.

Okorafor is a former third-round pick who spent the first six years of his career with the Steelers. After starting 15 or more games in the previous three seasons, Okorafor started in just seven of the 14 games he appeared in last season. With experience at both tackle positions, Okorafor provides versatility along the Patriots’ offensive line and can provide valuable experience as a starter.

Harvin played in 15 games for the Steelers last season and has spent the last three seasons with the team. The former seventh-round draft pick averaged 39.1 net yards per punt last season, which ranked amongst the lowest in the league, and had a PFF grade of 50.1. Far from the best punter the league has to offer, teams are constantly looking to create punter competition in training camp. We’d expect Harvin to join a team at some point this offseason and compete for a job. In addition to Harvin, the Steelers also released offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.

Moore went down with the knee injury early in Pittsburgh’s Week 4 matchup with the Texans. He was unable to return to the contest. Fellow Pittsburgh linemen Chukwuma Okorafor and James Daniels were also sidelined for the first practice of the week. With Kenny Pickett attempting to play through a knee issue, this is the worst time for Pittsburgh lose multiple offensive linemen.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo added that Okorafor drew interest from other teams as well. Initially drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Okorafor took over as the team’s starting right tackle two years ago. After a shaky first year at the position, Okorafor allowed fewer pressures and sacks in his second year, despite playing an extra game. While not an elite option by any means, Okorafor has developed into a capable starter on the right side of the line.

Okorafor initially lost the Steelers’ right tackle job in 2020 before going on to make 15 shaky starts. Speaking Tuesday, GM Kevin Colbert intimated the 24-year-old (in two weeks) was the favorite on the blindside. It highlights just how perilous the Steelers’ offensive line situation is.

2019 right tackle Matt Feiler is sliding to left guard to replace retired All-Pro Ramon Foster. A third-year third-rounder, Okorafor has made four career starts while 26-year-old journeyman Banner has made just one. Still only 22, Okorafor is far more projectable after only taking up the game of football as a high school junior. If neither player pans out, Stefen Wisniewski could man left guard and shift Feiler back to tackle.

Okorafor (6’6/320) grew up in Africa and didn’t play offensive line until his junior year in high school, then became a 39-game starter for Western Michigan, flipping from right to left tackle as a junior and earning first-team All-MAC in both of his final two years. Okorafor looks the part with a massive build, but his tape reveals a prospect in need of technical work. Okorafor also tested out as a lowly ninth-percentile SPARQ athlete in Indy. Not yet 21 years old, Okorafor is a probable multi-year project.

Okorafor grew up in Africa and didn’t play offensive line until his junior year in high school, then became a 39-game starter for Western Michigan. Okorafor looks the part with a massive build, but his tape reveals a prospect in need of technical work. Okorafor also tested out as a lowly ninth-percentile SPARQ athlete in Indy. Not yet 21 years old, Okorafor is a probable multi-year project.