The Steelers just released their first depth chart of the pre-season and there are some surprises.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are early on in the training camp process. They will be going through training camp and the rest of the pre-season to determine who will be sticking on the final 53 man roster. The first depth chart just dropped and it had some eye-brow-raising positioning when it came to where some players were put.
This is just the first depth chart so this will alternate as the pre-season continues further. Players wearing the black and gold still have a ton of time to convince coaches that they deserve a bigger role on this team through games and practices before the actual season begins. Some other notable things on the depth chart are Dwayne Haskins as the third-string quarterback, Tre Norwood as the backup free safety, and Jordan Berry over Pressley Harvin III as the starting punter.
Isaiah Buggs is the backup Nose Tackle
Isaiah Buggs is going into a make-or-break year his NFL career. He has had enough time to grow from his college days into a pro and this time around could be his last real shot at contributing to Pittsburgh. Surprisingly, he is the backup at Nose Tackle because he is not expected to make the team coming out of training camp. This listing should give him some hope and confidence going forward.
There is a lot of time between now and the regular season but that has to be a good look if you are Buggs. The spot will be battled for between him and Carlos Davis. His competition is younger and has more of an upside at this point in their respective football careers.
J.C. Hassenauer listed as the starting Center
It was recently said by Head Coach Mike Tomlin that rookie Kendrick Green will be getting the starting nod at the Hall of Fame Game. It was then assumed that Green would then become the starting center for the Steelers this upcoming season.
J.C. Hassenauer will have that starting spot for now after the release of the initial depth chart. He played games in relief and started some games for this team last season. It was mostly poor results when this player was plugged into the middle of the offensive line. He is not an NFL player but the team wants Green to work for that starting spot. Even if Green is not deemed ready by the coaches to start week one, it is still hard to believe Hassenauer will be the starter at center. It is much more likely that B.J. Finney would win the spot while Green is brought along slowly.
This might be the biggest surprise of the first depth chart to be dropped. Many people do not have this player making the final 53 man roster let alone the starting job at center. This is a bottom of the roster player that does have some starting experience so that is something and the team seems to like him. Hassenauer just isn’t the answer and the coaches know that, well at least they should know that.
Alex Highsmith remains the starter over Melvin Ingram
Ever since Melvin Ingram signed onto the team, many fans have wondered if he will take over the starting spot in 2021. The answer is no and likely will always be no unless there is an injury or Alex Highsmith has a bad season. That does not seem like a possible option as Highsmith has been conditioning well and getting ready for this chance since being drafted last year. He was a highly productive player in college and has a nice rookie season as a role player. That type of role player will be Ingram’s new job description in 2021. It is a big role for this team and Ingram should fit in perfectly with Pittsburgh.
Highsmith seems to be getting ready for a breakout performance in the upcoming season so don’t be surprised when he is a constant starter like Bud Dupree was during his time here. Ingram also has to learn the playbook during a shorter period so that will take some getting used to. It takes longer for some players than others to adjust and understand which plays are being called. Highsmith was always going to be the starter heading into 2021 no matter who else was brought aboard behind him. This depth chart should not change much throughout the pre-season barring injury.
Antoine Brooks Jr. is listed as the starting Nickle Corner
Antoine Brooks Jr. didn’t make the initial 53 man roster in 2020 but he is already well on his way to accomplishing that in 2021. He is listed as the starter at the coveted Nickle spot for this Steelers defense. Whoever wins this spot for the regular season will have giant shoes to fill. Mike Hilton was one of the best corners in the NFL to play this spot but he is now gone from the team.
Brooks is a surprising early choice by the team since he did not get much playing time last year and is kind of sprung into this role. They spoke highly about this player coming out of Maryland and it is tough to not forget that. He is a very versatile player that can be used all over the secondary. He will get the start in Canton during the Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Although Brooks is in the starting spot, for now, that could change in an instant. This is a completely open competition for this spot on the starting defense. There are a lot of inexperienced players on this team and they will truly have to win playing time during the pre-season games and practices. James Pierre and Arthur Mullet could be other names to watch for when it comes to this starting spot. Also, don’t count out the undrafted free agents that could scrap their way into a starting role or another way to find playing time.
The Steelers still have a lot of work to do between now and the regular season but this depth chart is interesting. There will be a lot of tinkering with this chart before the season begins.