There are several roster battles to watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they head into training camp. The competition for openings along the offensive line is already creating movement on the depth chart as players fight to earn starting roles. The left side of the line appears set with Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick, while Zach Frazier remains entrenched as the starting center.
The opposite side of Frazier is where things could become very interesting along the offensive line.
Roster battles are already heating up at both right guard and right tackle. It will be worth watching how those competitions develop between now and the time final decisions are made. Both positions feature experienced veterans capable of starting, but several younger players are pushing hard for those jobs as well.
When it comes to the battle at right guard, the outcome should be fascinating to watch. Spencer Anderson currently appears to have the inside track to earn the starting role, but the Steelers also invested a third-round pick in Gennings Dunker. Right tackle is expected to generate plenty of headlines as Pittsburgh first-round selection Max Iheanachor attempts to beat out Dylan Cook.
Pittsburgh Steelers roster battles along the offensive line will alter the depth chart
Everyone wants to see Iheanachor find a way to beat out Cook for the starting spot at right tackle. The Steelers used a premium draft pick on the rookie for a reason, and most first-round selections are expected to start from Day 1. It is a unique situation for Iheanachor, and the fact that Cook is already receiving first-team reps on the depth chart is not an encouraging sign for the rookie.
Despite facing an uphill battle, this could end up being the best situation for Iheanachor.
He has not played a significant amount of football, and he is far from a finished product entering the NFL with the Steelers. Taking time to develop behind Dylan Cook may ultimately benefit his long-term future. With that said, Cook is not an established veteran with an impressive track record. He will still need to earn the starting role, which leaves the door open for Iheanachor to claim the job.
Keep an eye on Spencer Anderson, as the former seventh-round pick has paid his dues and now has a legitimate opportunity to become a starter.
Whoever loses the battle for the right guard job between Anderson and Dunker could still carve out a role as the extra offensive lineman in jumbo packages. This should be one of the more intriguing roster battles to follow, although the long-term expectation appears to be that Dunker will eventually take over as the starter.
With three of the five offensive line spots seemingly locked in, the biggest questions remain on the right side. The returning veterans appear to be the favorites to hold onto starting jobs heading into the regular season, but nothing is guaranteed. Both Gennings Dunker and Max Iheanachor have a clear path to climb the depth chart and earn meaningful playing time early in their rookie campaigns.
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