Analyzing changes to Steelers initial 2019 depth chart

The Pittsburgh Steelers are less than a month away from the NFL regular season. Here is a breakdown of the initial 2019 depth chart.

The Steelers recently released their initial depth chart of 2019, and there are plenty of changes to note since last season. While some changes were expected, others come as a bit of a surprise.

Here is a breakdown of the depth chart for all three phases of the game, as well as the positions to take note of:

Offense

The Steelers offense features a number of changes from the 2018 season. As we know, Pittsburgh shipped Antonio Brown this offsesaon, and Le’Veon Bell signed with the Jets.

Though Bell was already replaced by James Conner in 2018, Brown’s replacement was unknown before this point.

Mike Tomlin and company has Donte Moncrief listed as the receiver starting opposite of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

It is interesting to note that Moncrief, not 2018 2nd round draft choice James Washington, will get the first look starting on the outside. Washington is listed as the primary backup to JuJu with rookie Diontae Johnson behind him.

The starting offensive line remains the same for Pittsburgh in their initial depth chart, but there are some major changes at tight end.

Xavier Grimble jumps into the number two role (as expected), but it is Christian Scotland-Williamson who is listed as the team’s 3rd tight end. Rookie, Zach Gentry, is currently listed as the 5th tight end option on the depth chart.

Defense

The defense offers up slightly less surprises. Most of the starting lineup remains the same, but it is Mark Barron, not Devin Bush, who gets the nod as the starting Mack linebacker in the Steelers initial depth chart of 2019.

This isn’t expected to stay this way, as it is just a matter of time before the 10th overall pick assumes a starting role on defense.

Despite taking over starting duties for the injured Sean Davis, the Steelers have Kameron Kelly listed as the third free safety on the roster, with Marcus Allen ahead of him.

Rookie Justin Layne is currently behind Brian Allen on the depth chart, and Ola Adeniyi is the primary backup to Bud Dupree.

Lavon Hooks also remains ahead of rookie Isaiah Buggs as backup defensive tackles.

Special teams

Much remains the same on special teams with Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, and Kameron Canaday assuming their starting roles.

Backing them up are Ian Matthew Wright, Ian Berryman, and Trevor Wood, respectively.

Ryan Switzer is listed as the primary kick and punt return specialist. Surprisingly, JuJu is still listed as one of the kick returners, and Diontae Johnson is set to backup Switzer for punt return duties.

It will be interesting to see how this lineup adjusts throughout the preseason. We will get a better feel for where players are going to lock in as we get closer to the 2019 season.