Steelers Release First Depth Chart Of The Season; Rookies Stuck At Second String For Time Being

With the first 2023 preseason game coming up soon, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gone ahead and released their initial depth chart. While nothing is clearly final yet, there are some interesting notes from the depth chart that strongly indicate where the Steelers are looking at for the beginning of the season. There are still plenty of camp battles to be had, as well as potential injuries that can completely change the landscape. 

Below was the team's official announcement. 

Interesting Pieces of Steelers' Depth Chart

The first thing that people will notice is the left tackle position. Dan Moore Jr. is listed as the starting tackle over 2023 first-round pick, Broderick Jones. Kevin Dotson predicted that his rookie teammate would not start at left tackle in his first year, although there is still time for Jones to win the job, especially because he should play in every preseason game due to the fact that he's a rookie. For now, Moore is getting the first-team reps at tackle and is in line to start Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. 

Despite having a strong camp, Darnell Washington is very low on the tight end depth chart. Like with Jones, it might also be due to him being a rookie. Washington is listed as the fourth-string tight end, with Zach Gentry being second-string and Connor Heyward at third string. Heyward is also the only fullback listed on the depth chart. Shutting down TJ Watt is no small feat, and if Washington is able to even partially keep up with that level, he will shoot up the depth chart in no time.

When the Steelers traded for Allen Robinson II, many people assumed that he would be a depth piece on the outside. However, he is listed as the starting slot receiver in front of Calvin Austin III. Austin still has a lot to prove, since he missed his entire rookie year due to injuries, but it's still surprising to see Robinson being the starter in the slot over him. Austin is at least still second on the depth chart over Gunner Olszewski, who is competing for a job as a receiver and/or a returner. 

Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal have both missed plenty of practice time with injuries. That is likely the reason why the Steelers have them listed as co-starters for the strong safety position alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. That is a very strong indicator that they will be battling for the starting role once they are both healthy. However, with the versatility of all three safeties, there is still a good chance that they rotate throughout strong safety, free safety, and box safety throughout the course of many games. 

Best Of The Rest

Despite the hype surrounding Kendrick Green at fullback, he is not listed on that part of the depth chart. He is listed as the backup center, as expected. Hakeem Butler is listed as the primary backup to George Pickens for the outside receiver position. It appears that Butler, Olszewski and Miles Boykin will be competing for two spots on the roster. If the XFL star can continue to shine in camp, he could force his way onto the 53-man roster. 

Despite Patrick Peterson trying to evolve into a versatile defensive back that can play outside corner, slot corner and safety, he listed as the starting outside cornerback ahead of Joey Porter Jr. Chandon Sullivan is currently listed as the starting slot corner with a couple of young safeties, Elijah Riley and Duke Dawson, listed as the backups. Tre Norwood, who played as a slot corner in 2021, is not listed on the slot corner depth chart. He is instead the primary backup to Fitzpatrick for free safety with Kenny Robinson right on his heels and looking to take his job.

What do you think of the Steelers' first official depth chart of the season? How will things shake up during preseason? Let us know down in the comments.

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