Steelers vs Panthers: 4 burning questions Pittsburgh must answer

Which defensive lineman deserves to make the cut?

This has been a burning question on my mind since the beginning of training camp. After the Steelers were able to retain both Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley after initially hitting the market, we knew that a young, talented defensive lineman was probably going to be out of the picture this year.

Things got even more complicated after Pittsburgh invested future draft capital to move back into the 2021 NFL Draft and grab DL Isaiahh Loudermilk. By my count, there are five defensive linemen guaranteed to make the roster this year: Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormly, and Isaiahh Loudermilk. This means that three dogs could be fighting for what may turn out to be one bone.

Near the bottom of the depth chart are a few talented players in Henry Mondeaux, Carlos Davis, and Isaiah Buggs, and if the Steelers can only keep one of these three, it’s going to be a very difficult decision to make.

Mondeaux is more of a backup 5-technique who can spell snaps from Tuitt or Heyward in a pinch, while Buggs and Davis are both backup nose tackles. The Steelers probably don’t need both, so how they perform against the Panthers could determine who makes the final cut.

I know the final preseason game is typically a snoozefest for many casual football fans, but I am thoroughly intrigued by the potential ramifications this game against the Panthers will have.