A third-round pick out of Western Michigan who turned into a fixture at right tackle across parts of six NFL seasons.
Chukwuma Okorafor has built a career on durability and versatility along the offensive line, starting the bulk of his snaps at right tackle after breaking in with Pittsburgh in 2018. Now with the Jets, he brings a proven veteran presence to a tackle room that added a first-round rookie in 2025.
Path to the league
Okorafor starred at Western Michigan, earning first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in both 2016 and 2017 and first-team All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association of America as a senior. The Steelers drafted him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, betting on his size and athleticism after he moved from right tackle to left tackle during his college career.
Career highlights
Okorafor spent six seasons in Pittsburgh, appearing in 77 games and starting 59 of them, including 33 straight starts at right tackle from 2020 through 2022. The Steelers released him in February 2024, and he spent time with the Patriots before signing with the Jets in 2025.
2025 season recap
Okorafor joined the Jets in free agency in 2025 as veteran depth on the offensive line, with New York's plans at right tackle shifting after the team drafted Armand Membou in the first round. He worked in a reserve and spot-starter role behind the Jets' younger tackles for the season.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chukwuma Okorafor
- Pro Football Reference: Chukwuma Okorafor
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Western Michigan
- Hometown
- Southfield, MI, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- active
