Updating the Steelers offensive depth chart after the 2019 NFL Draft

Apr 2019

The Steelers added players to the running back, tight end, and offensive line groups.

After drafting Benny Snell Jr, Zach Gentry, and Derwin Grey on the third day of the 2019 NFL draft, the Steelers also added several undrafted free agents to fill out their 2019 roster. The projected depth chart for the offensive positions added via the draft on for the Steelers is as follows:

Running Back

With the addition of Benny Snell Jr. out of Kentucky, it’s safe to place him third on the depth chart going into training camp. As usual, he will have every opportunity to move up the depth chart and see significant snaps. At this point, it’s hard to see anybody unseating James Connor, Jalen Samuels, and Snell for any of the three positions on the 54-man roster the Steelers usually keep for running back.

Trey Edmonds, the brother of Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds, was on the Steelers practice squad in 2019 and was moved to the active roster when James Conner suffered an injury. Ralph Webb was in the player who was signed to the practice squad after Edmunds came up to the 53. Most likely they would battle out for a practice squad position for 2019.

Malik Williams comes to the Steelers after being waived/injured last year with the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers also added Trevon McMillan as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado. Much like Edmunds and Webb, they will be fighting for a spot on the practice squad in all likelihood.

Tight End

When healthy, Vance McDonald is locked in as the Steelers number one tight end. With the departure of Jesse James to the Detroit Lions, Xavier Grimble is the next man up to fill the number two spot. Both were on the Steelers 53 man roster the last two seasons.

Zach Gentry comes to the Steelers from the University of Michigan at a towering 6’ 8” but with raw blocking ability. As long as he seems somewhat serviceable during training camp, gentry should be able to keep the number three tight end position for the 53 man roster.

Kevin Rader was signed to a futures contract in January after not being on an NFL team during the regular season in 2018. Christian Scott–Williamson is the Steelers international player and is given an automatic spot on the Steelers practice squad that does not count towards their 10 players. So Scott–Williamson gets another year with the Steelers regardless.

Trevor Wood was an undrafted free agent signed by the Steelers after the 2019 draft. Although he played tight end in college, he is also listed as a long snapper. It is unclear if the Steelers will even consider Wood as a tight end, but to fail to mention him would be an injustice for him being signed by an NFL team.

Offensive Line

Putting a number on the depth of offensive lineman when not separating them by position is not exactly fair, so please remember that the top four positions of Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, and Alejandro Villanueva are placed regardless of rank as current starters for the Steelers going into 2019. As for the other starting position, Matt Feiler, Chuks Okorafor, and Jerald Hawkins are all expected to battle for the starting role.

B.J. Finney is the primary back up at both the center and guard position and is capable of stepping in to any of those rolls if needed. After the battle for right tackle, Zach Banner is also left as depth at the position as he was on the 53-man roster in 2019 but rarely was active on game day.

Derwin Grey was the Steelers final selection of the 2019 draft. Although he played tackle in college, it is believed he could also bump inside to guard. Regarded as a big guy with great feet, he sounds a lot like Steelers former seventh-round pick Kelvin Beachum, who was believed could move to guard as well. Beachum ended up being a starting tackle for the Steelers, so who knows which position Grey will ultimately end up with the Steelers, if any at all.

R.J. Prince was on the Steelers practice squad last season and was hoping to develop into the Steelers plans at guard. Patrick Morris was also on the Steelers practice squad last season as a center. Both players will need to show great improvement just to hold their positions from 2018.

J.C. Hassenauer comes to the Steelers as a center from the AAF. Additionally, the Steelers added to guards from SEC schools in Garrett Broomfield (LSU) and Fred Johnson (Florida). Buried on the bottom of the depth chart, all of these players will have to really shine in order to stick with the team into September.

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