3 winners and 3 losers of Steelers recent depth chart changes
By Tommy Jaggi
Winners:
Tyson Alualu
Tyson Alualu is a player who seems to have gotten better late in his career. Now 33 years old, he is coming off what was arguably the best season of his career, despite playing in a limited fashion in 2019.
With Hargrave out of the picture, Alualu could see his snap could jump in 2020 – even with the return of Stephon Tuitt. With two very good defensive linemen playing on both sides of him this season in Tuitt and Cameron Heyward, Alualu will be given plenty of opportunities to knife into the backfield and make plays. Alualu was a solid backup 5-technique, but this is a change that has a chance to benefit him if he can prove to hold up at the point of attack.
Chukwuma Okorafor
Even though I predicted Chukwuma Okorafor would fall short of landing the starting right tackle role this season to Zach Banner, this change still favors him. Feiler was very solid last season, and graded out as Pittsburgh’s best offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus. If he were to remain at tackle, Okorafor’s chances of seeing the field anytime soon are slim to none.
With Feiler’s position moved, Okorafor is one step closer to earning a starting spot on the team. This season is Alejandro Villanueva’s last year under contract, and if the Steelers don’t re-sign him, Okorafor could be in line for duties at left tackle in 2021 – a job that may have otherwise gone to Banner.