Still Curtain
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Steelers Pre-Camp Projected Depth Chart

By Kim Myers

Jul 27, 2015; Latrobe, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers huddle on the field during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Latrobe, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers huddle on the field during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) celebrates a defensive stand against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) celebrates a defensive stand against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line:

Starters: Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Daniel McCullers

Backups: Javon Hargrave, LT Walton

This foursome is going to do wonders for the already stellar defensive line. Heyward has really relished in the role of defensive leader and Tuitt has proven to be a budding star who continues to improve.

The Steelers took a risk by letting Steve McLendon walk in free agency after not having not seen much from McCullers yet due to his not seeing much playing time. They took another risk in the draft by selecting Hargrave out of South Carolina State.

Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell seems confident in McCullers’ abilities and definitely had a hand in grabbing Hargrave in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With Keith Butler’s defensive scheme the line is much more involved in the pass rush as opposed to just being there to occupy linemen while the outside linebackers try to get to the quarterback.

This allowed Heyward and Tuitt to wreak havoc on opposing offenses last season and with the right mix of guys between McCullers and Hargrave and we’ll have ourselves a new and improved Steel Curtain if we want to get all hyperbolic about it.

Remember the Steelers don’t really even play in a base 3-4 anymore so anything is fair game these days.

Next: Outside Linebackers

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