By: G.Stryker
www.SteelerNation.com
This is my projected depth chart:
(Players on the top line are projected to make the roster)
LWR (X) Antonio Brown, Darrius Heyward-Bey,
Damoun Patterson, Marcus Tucker
SWR (Y) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marcus Tucker,
Justin Hunter, Jaylen Samuels, Quadree Henderson, Justin Thomas
RWR (Z) Justin Hunter, James Washington,
Tevin Jones, Trey Griffey
PUP: Eli Rogers (ACL Injury)
Receivers lost: Martavis Bryant (Traded to Raiders), Sammie Coates (Traded to Browns)
I’ve placed the deep ball receivers with size on the Right (Z), more polished route running receivers on the Left (X), and slot guys are in the Middle (Y). I project the Steelers to keep 6 WRs this year, as they did last year.
X) Antonio Brown treats practice like a prime time game. He is always on and no one practices harder. That is how you become the best, practice harder than anyone else! Heyward-Bey has taken a step backward. He is not currently running as a gunner or wing on ST, and his receiving press hasn’t been stellar so his spot seems open. Marcus Tucker is starting to lose snaps to Damoun Patterson, who is playing very well this camp.
Y) Eli Rogers is on the PUP, so he can’t practice until he’s activated. JuJu is a lock, and they will move him all over the field. Marcus Tucker, started with the first team between JuJu and AB, though he’s starting to lose some snaps to Justin Hunter, who’s showing the Steelers, hey, don’t forget, I ran the slot in Buffalo. Samuels is also getting 1st and 2nd team snaps from the slot. He will be a weapon this season. Henderson and Thomas, by all reports, have been catching the ball well. Though, it looks like their only chance now to make the team is as a kick and punt returner.
Z) Justin Hunter is killing it in practice. Using his body well, making tough contested catches, and showing off his catch radius. James Washington lost a little ground on Hunter, but he is showing off his talent in training camp. This battle is just heating up! Jones’ arrow is pointing up. He’s showing he can make those deep catches with speed and hand placement. Griffey is making some athletic plays, but still probably needs a year of seasoning before contesting for a spot in camp.
It’s still the beginning of camp, but the entire stable of receivers are showing they can catch and want to make this team. From top to bottom, it will be the most competitive position in camp, and the Steelers will have a tough choice finalizing the WR depth chart. Still a lot of time for receivers to separate themselves, and hopefully no injuries happen to thin the competition.
