NFL teams are not required to disclose their depth charts at this time of year. On the other hand, we may infer which players are in the lead for opening positions based on information such as their standing from the previous position and their placement in the drill hierarchy.
The required minicamp for the Pittsburgh Steelers will shortly start when OTAs are over. The dates of this minicamp are Tuesday, June 11 through Thursday, June 13. Even though this only amounts to three days of practice, the Steelers OTAs have already produced some noteworthy insights, and there may be more to come.
Long before training camp opens, Pittsburgh’s coaching staff will want a clear image of their roster. Following the obligatory minicamp, these three Steelers veterans may not be able to keep their starting positions.
LB Elandon Roberts
When the Steelers signed Elandon Roberts in the 2023 offseason, they got all they had hoped for. There was no denying that the seasoned linebacker had plenty of physicality. However, Roberts may not start for Pittsburgh again after minicamp, even though he was credited with starting 15 games last season.
We can be positive that Patrick Queen, a 2023 Pro Bowler and Pittsburgh’s best free agency addition, has one starting linebacker position. When Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander were healthy early in the 2023 season, Roberts was not a full-time player.
Payton Wilson enters. Wilson was selected 98th overall, although many thought he was the nation’s top linebacker the previous campaign. It will be difficult to keep the former NC State prospect off the field if he keeps up his impressive play. Given that he is already 24 years old, far ahead of the Steelers training camp, his turn may come sooner rather than later.
Van Jefferson, William
Van Jefferson might not have started for the Steelers at first because there isn’t an official club depth chart, but it’s reasonable to presume that’s where he started. As the group’s most seasoned veteran, Jefferson already had a relationship with Arthur Smith.
By the time mandatory minicamp ends, Jefferson may be lower on the wide receiver hierarchy. During the Steelers’ organized team activities, Roman Wilson attracted attention and appeared to be the ideal wide receiver to complement George Pickens. We don’t want to overanalyze football in shorts, but don’t be astonished if Wilson steals Jefferson’s starting wide receiver position (or even if it’s Calvin Austin III).
Adams Montravius, DT
For the most of the 2023 season, Montravius Adams was the starting nose tackle for the Steelers (if for no other reason than that). His snap total even surpassed that of rookie defensive tackle Keeanu Benton at the end of the season.
It is now obvious that Adams will be sent to the bench. Benton was electrifying at the Steelers OTAs, and by the time he completes his second required minicamp, Adams will be a distant memory. If there wasn’t enough proof before, by the time minicamp is over, there will be plenty.