It's only June, but summer will fly by and the NFL season will be upon us quickly. What appears to be the Pittsburgh Steelers current depth chart in early June never turns out to be the final product as the season progresses. The immediate reaction is to input Kenny Pickett as the starting quarterback midseason, or even sooner, if Mitch Trubisky struggles. The quarterback position is under the spotlight most in the NFL, but there are other key positions for the Steelers that could look different at some point in the season than what we expect now.
It isn't always the starting positions to keep an eye on, but the backup roles too. Here are the three changes we could see on the Steelers depth chart in the 2022 season.
1.) Backup Running Back - Benny Snell Jr.
The only running back on the Steelers roster who should feel comfortable with his position on the team is second year back, Najee Harris. Benny Snell Jr. has just 466 yards rushing in the last two seasons and the experiments of Anthony McFarland Jr. and Trey Edmunds haven't worked out. As we sit here today, Snell Jr. is the man behind Harris, but that still seems like it needs to change.
The Steelers are at their best when they have a strong 1-2 punch. The answer for the #2 spot isn't on the roster. It's hard to say who that guy might be, but there are still viable, veteran options in free agency like Justin Jackson, Devontae Booker, David Johnson, among others. There are multiple options out there that don't just offer a veteran presence, but a better option.
I expect a move to potentially happen after the remaining draft picks like Pickett sign their rookie deals. The Steelers will have an idea of how much money they have left to spend once all rookies sign. The offense needs the #2 running back position to be addressed.
2.) Punter - Pressley Harvin III
Harvin III had a very tough rookie season in the NFL. He underperformed on the field, but many did not know about the personal struggle he was dealing with due to his dad's illness. The former seventh round pick absolutely deserves another shot to be the punter for the Steelers and for years to come as well.
His play was inconsistent, but he showed a ton of potential in the Wild Card game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie punted seven times at an average of almost 50 yards per punt. Continuing to punt like that won't put his status as the team's punter at risk. However, if he is on pace to have seven games of less than 42 yards per punt, his job may be in jeopardy.
The Steelers can't afford to give the offenses in their division as well as other opponents like the Buffalo Bills an advantage via field position. Harvin III might be on a short leash if he struggles early on in the season. His replacement? Who knows? But, it could be something we see in 2022.
3.) Left Guard - Kevin Dotson
Kendrick Green was very underwhelming in his first season at the Steelers center. After the signing of Mason Cole, it seems Green is poised to be the backup left guard behind Kevin Dotson. While it is certain that Dotson will get the nod for week one of the regular season, Mike Tomlin is not going to forget he has Green available and ready to prove himself as a future staple on the offensive line.
Karl Roster/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
This scenario would play out if Dotson gets comfortable with his starting role and slacks in his performance in the first half of the season. While less likely than the previous two, Green is a young option that has a full year of starting under his belt. It was just at the wrong position.
Who do you think could lose his starting role from this year's minicamp until the end of the 2022 regular season? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
