By Alex Kozora
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers official depth chart has been released, those don’t tend to be very involved and aren’t always accurate. If it wasn’t league-mandated, teams wouldn’t submit them this early.
I’ve created a depth chart below based on what I believe the current – and I can’t emphasis the word “current” enough here – depth chart is based on what I’ve seen through 12 practices and one game. It also allows for overlap where a player can be listed twice, something the team depth chart doesn’t include (e.g. Will Allen is listed at free and strong safety). And wanted to shed any “co-team” labels like you’ll see on depth charts. That’s no fun.
Don’t read too much into it but it’s something to start your morning off. Added a couple of notes below.
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger
Bruce Gradkowski
Landry Jones
Brendon Kay
Running Back
Le’Veon Bell
LeGarrette Blount
Dri Archer
Tauren Poole
Josh Harris
Jordan Hall
Miguel Maysonet
Fullback
Will Johnson
Tight End
Heath Miller
Matt Spaeth
Will Johnson
David Paulson
Michael Palmer
Eric Waters
Robert Blanchflower
Bryce Davis
Wide Receiver
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Lance Moore
Justin Brown
Martavis Bryant
Derek Moye
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Lanear Sampson
Kashif Moore
CJ Goodwin
James Shaw
Left Tackle
Kelvin Beachum
Mike Adams
Guy Whimper
Wesley Johnson
Left Guard
Ramon Foster
Chris Hubbard
Bryant Browning
Chris Elkins
Center
Maurkice Pouncey
Cody Wallace
Wesley Johnson
Chris Elkins
Right Guard
David DeCastro
Bryant Browning
Chris Hubbard
Will Simmons
Right Tackle
Marcus Gilbert
Mike Adams
Guy Whimper
Emmanuel McCray
Left End
Cam Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Ethan Hemer
Nick Williams
Nose Tackle
Steve McLendon
Cam Thomas
Daniel McCullers
Hebron Fangupo
Roy Philon
Al Lapuaho
Right End
Cam Heyward
Josh Mauro
Brian Arnfelt
Left Outside Linebacker
Jason Worilds
Arthur Moats
Vic So’oto
Buck Linebacker
Lawrence Timmons
Vince Williams
Jordan Zumwalt
Mack Linebacker
Ryan Shazier
Sean Spence
Terence Garvin
Dan Molls
Right Outside Linebacker
Jarvis Jones
Chris Carter
Howard Jones
Left Cornerback
Cortez Allen
William Gay
Antwon Blake
Devin Smith
Shaq Richardson
Right Cornerback
Ike Taylor
William Gay
Brice McCain
Isaiah Green
Lew Toler
Nickel Corner
William Gay
Brice McCain
Devin Smith
Strong Safety
Troy Polamalu
Will Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Jordan Dangerfield
Free Safety
Mike Mitchell
Will Allen
Robert Golden
Ross Ventrone
Punter
Brad Wing
Adam Podlesh
Kicker
Shaun Suisham
Long Snapper
Greg Warren
Bryce Davis
– Clearly, I don’t have special teams on here. Want to do something a little more in-depth with that later in the week.
– Running back is tough to get a read on. Today’s pecking order should reveal more. Still have Poole ahead of Harris based on what happened up until yesterday’s practice. Poole’s special teams value also gives him the edge. Harris hasn’t played on any unit. But decided to leapfrog Harris over Hall and Maysonet, though a case can be made for Hall to remain ahead.
– Back end of the wide receivers, the last four, are a tossup. Put Sampson ahead because he at least played on special teams Saturday. More than what can be said for Moore, Goodwin, and Shaw – though Shaw probably hadn’t learned the system well enough to consider playing. Kashif Moore is still the eldest of the three, followed by Goodwin, and Shaw, determining the final three.
– Tight end is similar between Blanchflower and Waters, though I’m positive both are behind Paulson. Waters came in before Blanchflower and got a look on special teams so he’s ahead for now.
– Still currently see Mike Adams as the swing tackle at either spot.
– Moats could become the first man up at either outside linebacker spot but I want to see him get reps at ROLB in a game before I add him in there.
– Devin Smith over Shaq Richardson would be a surprise to most but I’m just reading the tea leaves from Saturday’s game. Smith came in at LCB before Richardson. And I’ll repeat: “currently.”
– Still see Will Allen as the top backup at both safety spots.
– Being generous by calling Bryce Davis the backup long snapper. I don’t think he’s long-snapped in practice since early in camp. Didn’t at all in the game.
