PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have released their depth chart for the 2019 season opener against the New England Patriots, and there are relatively few surprises following the team’s preseason games and cuts.
As expected, Matt Feiler will begin the season as a starter for the first time, replaced traded Marcus Gilbert at right tackle.
Free agent acquisitions Donte Moncrief, Steven Nelson and Mark Barron are projected to start at wide receiver, cornerback and inside linebacker.
Barron is the only of those that’s even a moderate surprise. He and first-round draft pick Devin Bush played alongside one another a good bit during preseason and training camp while veteran Vince Williams was out with a hamstring injury.
Williams is healthy and all three should be expected to play on Sunday against New England, though to what degree each will see the field is still somewhat of a mystery. Head coach Mike Tomlin talked about the balancing act of wanting to rely on the athleticism of Bush, while being cognizant of a young player in his first NFL.
“In the long term, those answers will be based on how he performs, based on the amount of work that we give him,” Tomlin said Tuesday.
Here’s the entire depth chart:
OFFENSE
QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Josh Dobbs
RB: James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell
FB: Roosevelt Nix
TE: Vance McDonald, Xavier Grimble, Zach Gentry
LT: Alejandro Villanueva, Chukwuma Okorafor
LG: Ramon Foster
C: Maurkice Pouncey
RG: David DeCastro, Fred Johnson
RT: Matt Feiler, Zach Banner
DEFENSE
DT: Cameron Heyward, Isaiah Buggs
NT: Javon Hargrave, Dan McCullers
DE: Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu
LOLB: T.J. Watt, Anthony Chickillo
LILB: Mark Barron, Devin Bush
RILB: Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich, Ulysees Gilbert
ROLB: Bud Dupree, Ola Adeniyi, Tuzar Skipper
LCB: Joe Haden, Justin Layne
FS: Sean Davis, Kameron Kelly
SS: Terrell Edmunds, Jordan Dangerfield
RCB: Steven Nelson, Artie Burns
NCB: Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Chris Boswell
P: Jordan Berry
LS: Kameron Canaday
KR: Ryan Switzer, James Washington, Artie Burns
PR: Ryan Switzer, Diontae Johnson, Cameron Sutton