Steelers depth chart: Unpacking where the roster currently stands

The Pittsburgh Steelers approached free agency with needs on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football.  Week one was a strong start, addressing holes on the offensive line, linebacker room, and secondary.  That doesn't mean the job is done, so as we approach the second tier of free agency and hone in on […]

Rob Gregson NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Schedule release news
© Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers approached free agency with needs on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football. 

Week one was a strong start, addressing holes on the offensive line, linebacker room, and secondary. 

That doesn't mean the job is done, so as we approach the second tier of free agency and hone in on the NFL Draft, here's an analysis of the Steelers depth chart. 

Quarterback 

Kenny Pickett
Mitch Trubisky

The Steelers are all-in on Kenny Pickett, giving the former Pitt Panther the keys to the franchise. 

After some suggestions that Mitch Tribusky may have been released due to his cap number, GM Omar Khan and the front office decided to keep him around as a veteran backup who knows the system. 

Many teams only carry two quarterbacks but don't be surprised if Pittsburgh adds another. 

Running Back 

Najee Harris
Jaylen Warren 
Anthony McFarland
Master Teague III
Jason Huntley

The running back room has both depth and youth, making it one of the stronger position groups on the roster. No need to mess with what's working. 

Wide Receiver 

Diontae Johnson
George Pickens 
Calvin Austin III
Gunner Olszewski
Anthony Miller
Ja'Marcus Bradley
Cody White
Dez Fitzpatrick
Dan Chisena

This room is very deep, but the talent isn't as broad. 

The top is strong with Dionate Johnson and George Pickens, but there are real questions after those two. 

Calvin Austin is coming off a rookie campaign that saw him participate in no games after entering the injured reserve early in camp. Besides that, the rest of the lot are what evaluators call JAGs. (just another guy)

Tight End

Pat Freiermuth
Connor Heyward 
Rodney Williams

Pat Frieirmuth has proven to be a functional NFL starter, playing as a true "Y tight end." Meaning, he can both block on the edge, and provide help in the passing game. 

But the position is rapidly changing, with "seam stretchers" starting to dominate the prospect pool. 

In such a deep tight-end draft, it would favor the Steelers to add a dynamic tight end, opening up vertical shots over the middle for Kenny Pickett. 

Offensive Line

Left Tackle:
Dan Moore Jr.

Left Guard:
Isaac Seumalo
Kevin Dotson
Nate Herbig
Kendrick Green

Center:
Mason Cole
Kendrick Green
Ryan McCollum

Right Guard:
James Daniels

Right Tackle:
Chukwuma Okorafor

The addition of Seumalo and Herbig helps ensure depth and may be upgrades if the team views them as starters. 

Right tackle is still being held down by "Chuks" Okorafor, but they need to add a backup there. 

That leaves question marks at center and left tackle, the two most important positions on the line. With no upgrades available in the free agent market, Cole is likely to continue at center, but don't rule out the Steelers selecting a tackle at 17. 

Defensive Line-Edge Linebackers

Left end
Larry Ogunjobi
DeMarvin Leal

Nose tackle 
Montravius Adams
Renell Wren

Right end   
Cameron Heyward
Isaiahh Loudermilk 
Jonathan Marshall

Will linebacker
T.J. Watt
Emeke Egbule

Sam linebacker
Alex Highsmith
Jamir Jones
Quincy Roche

The defensive front is the strongest part of the defense, and perhaps the heart and soul of the team. 

Defensive end and edge linebacker pack powerhouse starters, but there is obvious concern about depth, particularly behind the edge defenders. 

There are also huge questions about the nose tackle position, so perhaps Pittsburgh takes a late-round flyer on a prospect there. 

Inside (off-ball) Linebackers 

Left inside linebacker
Cole Holcomb
Tae Crowder

Right inside linebacker
Elandon Roberts
Mark Robinson
Chapelle Russell

The addition of Holcomb and Roberts was more of a necessity than an upgrade following the departure of Robert Spillane and Devin Bush, after which the Steelers released Myles Jack

Holcomb can function in the 3-4 scheme with his size and athleticism but there are major concerns surrounding Elandon Robert's ability to cover in space. 

One particular draft prospect can desperately change the outlook of the unit, however. 

Defensive Backs

Left Corner
Patrick Peterson
Arthur Maulet
Duke Dawson
Madre Harper

Strong Safety
Elijah Riley
Miles Killebrew

Free Safety
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Damontae Kazee
Tre Norwood
Scott Nelson

Right Corner
Ahkello Witherspoon 
Levi Wallace

The DB unit has more questions than any other position group on the team. 

The signing of Patrick Peterson helps lessen the blow from Cam Sutton's departure, but Terell Edmunds' return is still up in the air and the right corner position is underwhelming to say the least. 

That leaves Pittsburgh clamoring to re-sign Edmunds and having real conversations about doing everything possible to come away with a corner in April's draft. 

Special Teams

Kicker
Chris Boswell 

Punter-Holder
Pressley Harvin III 

Kick-Punt returner
Gunner Olszewski

Long Snapper
Christian Kuntz

With Boswell back and hopefully healthy in 2023, the unit should become a strength again, especially if Pressley Harvin continues to develop as a punter.