On Sunday, less than a week in advance of the preseason opener at the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin released the team’s initial depth chart. Established veterans at various positions such as quarterback, tight end, cornerback and safety were, of course, not surprisingly slotted into starting roles, but a handful of names and decisions made at this point in training camp were of note.
Beginning with the offense and barring any injuries in preseason, QB Ben Roethlisberger will take snaps in regular season games from center Maurkice Pouncey, who will be flanked by tackles Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert and guards Ramon Foster and David DeCastro. Mike Adams and Guy Whimper are among the notable backup offensive linemen not expected to fill starting roles immediately.
In the running game, second-year back Le’Veon Bell and fullback Will Johnson are expected to start, with veteran newcomer LeGarrette Blount and rookie Dri Archer backing up Bell. Roethlisberger’s receivers will be led by top target Antonio Brown, but the competition is heavy behind Brown for the remaining spots. Markus Wheaton is slotted in as the number two receiver and then Tomlin lists second-year WR Justin Brown, a sixth-round pick in 2013 who had been released then re-signed, as the next behind these top two. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Lance Moore, signed as free agents in the offseason, are other solid options in the passing game. Derek Moye and Martavis Bryant are also contenders for roster spots in what will be a very interesting position battle to watch as cuts begin to be made in the coming weeks.
Tight end is much less muddled with veteran Pro Bowler Heath Miller and backup Matt Spaeth again filling those roles. On the special teams unit, recently extended Shaun Suisham is the kicker and Adam Podlesh and Brad Wing will fight for the role as punter. Greg Warren is the long snapper and Archer and Antonio Brown are expected to return most kicks and punts, respectively.
On defense, Cameron Heyward and Cam Thomas are the top defensive ends and Steve McLendon is the nose tackle in Dick LeBeau’s 3-4 defense. Rookie Stephon Tuitt should also compete for time on the defensive line. At linebacker, expect to see Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones on the outside and top draft pick Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons inside.
In the Steelers secondary, Troy Polamalu and former Carolina Panther Mike Mitchell will play at safety. Mitchell was just reinstated from the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list and, thus, is behind others in conditioning at this stage. Shamarko Thomas and Will Allen are available as reserves to anchor the pass defense. At cornerback, Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen are established starters, while William Gay is another viable option.
Saturday’s game at MetLife Stadium will give fans and the coaching staff the first look at how players look and feel in old or new roles and, assuming injuries do not play a role, will begin to help fill out the final roster and depth chart. The game is at 7:30 and will be televised in local Pittsburgh markets on the CBS affiliate, KDKA.
