Steelers All 90: Le’Raven Clark Provides Experience to OL

The Pittsburgh Steelers have overhauled the offensive line with many former players of assistant general manager Andy Weidl. Le’Raven Clark is another one of Weidl’s guys as he played in Philadelphia for one season under Weidl in 2021.

Clark joins a couple of other former Eagles linemen to sign with the Steelers since Weidl has joined the Steelers organization. Such players include Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, and Jarrid Williams. The Steelers’ plan to build the “Pickett Fence” is moving along swimmingly in large part for a surplus of former Eagles and Clark should be a large piece of that fence even if he does not play regularly.

Clark is a solid signing for the Steelers as he provides depth at tackle and guard. While Clark has played the most at left tackle, he played at tackle and guard in college and in the NFL. Over the course of his first seven NFL seasons, Clark has played 445 snaps at left tackle, 392 snaps at right tackle, and 318 snaps at right guard.

He also provides experience which is something that this current group of guys lack. While most of them have played in a handful of games so far, Clark has been in the NFL for the longest out of everybody on the offensive line except Seumalo. Clark and Seumalo are entering their eighth professional season and will be able to provide the younger lineman with knowledge.

Prior to the Steelers drafting Broderick Jones, there was a thought that Clark could pressure Dan Moore Jr. for the starting left tackle job. Since the Steelers invested heavily in a future left tackle in the draft, Clark is likely to either battle with right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor for the starting right tackle position or more likely, for one of the backup spots on the roster.

While Clark is not a bonified starter, for what the Steelers paid to get him, the experience and leadership he will provide for the younger guys is worth every penny.

67 • Le’Raven Clark, Tackle, Texas Tech
6-foot-5, 315 pounds, 30 years old, 8th Season

Acquired: The Steelers signed Clark to a one-year contract on March 24, 2023. Clark was a member of the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season.

Last Year: After one season in Philadelphia, Clark signed a one-year deal with the Titans where he would see his most playing time since 2020. He played in 13 games and recorded two starts for the Titans as he allowed one sack and committed zero penalties.

In addition, Clark logged his fourth most offensive snaps in a season (114) in 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Le’Raven Clark (74) looks to make a block on Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Odom (61) during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)

Career: The Indianapolis Colts drafted Clark with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Clark appeared in eight games for the Colts and played 201 offensive snaps at right guard.

In 2017, Clark played in 15 games but only started five of them. This meant Clark fell into the role of a backup but one that would play well when called upon. He played 323 snaps on offense and allowed two sacks.

Clark’s third season was much of the same as he filled in when needed for the Colts. He played in 12 games and started four of them. In his 365 offensive snaps, Clark allowed two sacks and was called for three penalties. This netted him the highest Pro Football Focus rating (67.6) of his career.

Clark did not appear in any games during the 2019 season but re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal for the 2020 season.

In 2020, Clark played in 12 games and started four for the Colts. Following the season, Clark signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and would bounce between the practice squad and the active roster. He appeared in four games for the Eagles and recorded one start.

In total, Clark has played in 64 games and has recorded 18 starts since joining the league in 2016. He has seen time at multiple positions along the offensive line including left tackle, right tackle, right guard, and jumbo tight end.

College: Clark, a Texas native, committed to Texas Tech University as a four-star recruit out of high school. He sat out on a redshirt during his freshman season in 2011 but earned a starting spot heading into his second year.

In 2012, Clark started all 13 games at right guard for the Red Raiders. He helped block for a rushing attack that ran for its most yards in a season since 1998.

Prior to the 2013 season, Clark moved to left tackle and started all 13 games of the season. Following the season, Clark was named to the Associated Press All-Big 12 First Team.

In 2014, Clark stayed at the left tackle position and started all 12 games that he played in as a redshirt junior. That year, he blocked for Texas Tech’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998. Clark was named to his second AP All-Big 12 First Team following the season.

Clark was named as a team captain prior to the 2015 season and started all 12 games at left tackle for the third straight season. He even scored twice in his last season, scoring on two separate two-point conversions. Clark earned his third consecutive AP All-Big 12

In total, Clark started all 51 games that he appeared in as a Red Raider and was one of the best offensive linemen in Texas Tech history.

Salary cap and future: Clark is signed to a one-year deal that is worth $990,000 in total money. His cap hit includes a base salary of $116,500. Clark will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2023 season.

If the Steelers decided to release Clark this season, he would create $50,000 in dead money but $940,000 in free cap space.

The rest of the 90: