The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their first depth chart after their second week of training camp. By this time next month, their roster will be swiftly cut from 90 players down to 53. In the meantime, their initial depth chart gives us an idea of where players currently stand on the roster.
This pecking order is sure to change throughout Steelers training camp and as we advance through the preseason. As players impress (or disappoint, for that matter) we could see a shift in where they end up on the depth chart compared to their peers.
It's important not to read too deeply into this, but here is the first look at Steelers depth chart in 2023, according to the Steelers team website:
First Steelers depth chart of 2023:
Offense:
QB: Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Tanner Morgan
RB: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr., Darius Hagans, Greg Bell, John Lovett
FB: Connor Heyward
WRX: Diontae Johnson, Miles Boykin, Cody White, Dan Chisena
WRS: Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Jordan Byrd
WRZ: George Pickens, Hakeem Butler, Ja'Marcus Bradley, Dez Fitzpatrick
TE: Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, Rodney Williams
LT: Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones
LG: Isaac Seumalo, Kevin Dotson
C: Mason Cole, Kendrick Green, Ryan McCollum, Spencer Anderson
RG: James Daniels, Nate Herbig, William Dunkle
RT: Chukwuma Okorafor, Le'Raven Clark, Dylan Cook
Defense:
DT: Cameron Heyward, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Armon Watts, James Nyamwaya
NT: Montravius Adams, Breiden Fehoko, Keeanu Benton, Jonathan Marshall
DE: Larry Ogunjobi, DeMarvin Leal, Manny Jones
LOLB: T.J. Watt, Markus Golden, David Perales, Toby Ndukwe
ROLB: Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Quincy Roche
LILB: Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander, Tanner Muse
RILB: Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Chappelle Russell, Nick Kwiatkowski
LCB: Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Madre Harper, Isaiah Dunn
RCB: Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Chris Wilcox, Luq Barcoo
NICK: Chandon Sullivan, Elijah Riley, Duke Dawson
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tre Norwood, Kenny Robinson
SS: Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew, Trenton Thompson
Special Teams:
P: Pressley Harvin III, Bradan Mann
K: Chris Boswell, B.T. Potter
LS: Christian Kuntz, Rex Sunahara
H: Pressley Harvin III, Bradan Mann
KR: Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Jordan Byrd
PR: Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Jordan Byrd
There are certainly things worth noting here. The quarterback and running back depth chart doesn't offer any surprises. This is exactly how we pictured things shaping up. It is interesting that Connor Heyward is listed as both the starting fullback and as well as the third tight end on the roster (ahead of Darnell Washington). This is probably an indicator that the Steelers plan to use him all over the field this year.
Though Kendrick Green has been playing fullback recently in practice, he is not listed at the position. Rather, the comes in as the primary backup at center, for the time being. At guard, Kevin Dotson is listed as the backup LG to Isaac Seumalo while Nate Herbig is listed as the backup RG to James Daniels.
Defensively, the Steelers are sticking with some dated terminology. According to this depth chart, Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, and Montravius Adams would be their three starting interior defenders in their 3-4 base defense if the season started today. We expect this to change and Adams isn't guaranteed to hold onto this job by the time the season starts.
At outside linebacker, Nick Herbig is listed as the backup to Alex Highsmith while veteran Markus Golden is first in line behind T.J. Watt. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are the starting linebackers on the first Steelers depth chart with Kwon Alexander and Mark Robinson backing them up, respectively.
The most concerning position at the moment might be cornerback. Right now, Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace are listed as the starters on the outside with Chandon Sullivan in the slot. Outside of Joey Porter Jr., the depth looks scary at the CB position as it includes players like James Pierre, Madre Harper, Chris Wilcox, Elijah Riley, and Duke Dawson.
Interestingly, the Steelers have Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal listed as co-starters at strong safety next to Minkah Fitzpatrick -- suggesting that the two could share this role, depending on the down, distance, and situation on the field. There are no surprises on special teams, and Calvin Austin III is listed as the primary return man at both kick and punt return with Gunner Olszewski backing him up.