Steelers: first depth chart notes

Since the Steelers are playing in Sunday’s Hall of Fame game against the Minnesota Vikings they had to release their first depth chart of the summer. There are few surprises to the depth chart this early in the process but it can always look different at the end of camp.

On the offense the starters remain intact from last season. In spite of speculation that second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant would be overtaking Markus Wheaton as the starting wide receiver opposite of Antonio Brown; Wheaton is still listed as the No. 2 starter.

Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones and Tajh Boyd round out the backup quarterbacks, which most likely means with Gradkowski still out with injury we’ll see a lot of Jones and Boyd in the Hall of Fame game this Sunday.

There are no surprises on the defensive side of the depth chart either. The inside linebacker position is rather stacked with Ryan Shazier, Sean Spence and Terence Garvin on the ride inside and Lawrence Timmons, Vince Williams and Jordan Zumwalt on the left inside.

Jarvis Jones has the right outside linebacker spot with James Harrison behind him and Howard Jones and Shayon Green behind Harrison. Arthur Moats will start the season off, as expected, with rookie Bud Dupree behind him and sixth-round pick Anthony Chickillo behind Dupree.

The only surprise on special teams is to see Antonio Brown listed as the starting punt returner. Brown has yet to spend any time working with the punt return unit so far in camp, but I guess he doesn’t necessarily need to practice that aspect of his job. Dri Archer and Markus Wheaton are listed behind Brown for punt returns.

Jordan Berry sits behind Brad Wing in the battle of the Australian punters. We’ll see who comes out on top of that competition as camp wears on.

Take a good look at the starters listed on the depth chart and then don’t expect to see many of those guys on the field this Sunday night in Canton. Even though its preseason, the first depth chart of the season means that real football is just around the corner.

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!

Next: Is Keith Butler the Steelers defensive solution?

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