The only thing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart is lying about

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 30: Kenjon Barner #38 of the Carolina Panthers rushes against Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Matthew Thomas #46 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game on August 30, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 30: Kenjon Barner #38 of the Carolina Panthers rushes against Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Matthew Thomas #46 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game on August 30, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers released their first depth chart of the 2018 regular season yesterday. But they aren’t being accurate.

Josh Dobbs is the backup. James Washington and Justin Hunter will see playing time. Le’Veon Bell is still the starter. Cameron Sutton and Mike Hilton are the slot. But the Pittsburgh Steelers put one player much lower than they expect to see him on the field.

A little confused? It’s simple – the Steelers have their inside linebackers listed in the order no one wanted to see. Jon Bostic, Tyler Matakevich, L.J. Fort and Matthew Thomas is the order. And it’s wrong.

Bostic and Vince Williams will get the start. Williams is the leader of this linebacking core, and anyone who questions his impact should turn on a Steelers game. But Bostic is a weak link and the first two behind him are even worse.

Matthew Thomas was the second-most impressive player on the Steelers’ preseason roster. Outside of Josh Dobbs, Thomas proved his undrafted rookie status meant nothing when on the field.

Thomas’ 25 tackles was only the beginning of the impressive campaign he put on in four exhibition games. He showed more athleticism than any of the inside linebackers, was able to cover both the pass and run, and made plays in every game that put him above the rest of the defense.

He earned his place on the 53-man roster two games through the preseason. He earned his place as the starter the last two. He may not have done enough to put his undrafted rookie status about the offseason signing of Bostic, but he’ll get the playing time to show he’s their guy.

Expect Thomas on the field more than Matakevich and Fort. Maybe not towards the beginning of the game, but by halftime and the end of the game, Thomas will be the first man in behind Bostic and Williams.

He adds the athleticism that the position needs. Keith Butler will realize quick that Bostic and Matakevich leave the same hole that was there last season after Ryan Shazier went down. Thomas is the only one on the roster who can fill that.

He’s the most talented inside linabcker outside of Vince Williams. More and more people are realizing it. Eventually, the Steelers will.

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