Post draft roster / positional breakdown

[Tibs]

A quick glimpse at how I think the FA/draft may affect certain position battles and roster spots heading into OTA's. I'll skip the positions where things remain unchanged, namely QB, OT, DE, K/P.


RB1 James Connor
RB2 Benny Snell
RB3/H-back/3rd down back James Samuels
FB1 Roosevelt Nix

Now that's a solid rotation, nice depth to offset potential injury, and the ability to keep runners fresh throughout games.

WR1 JuJu
WR2 Moncrief
WR3 Johnson
WR4 Washington
WR5 Switz

I may be the only one, but I think Moncrief wins the #2 job opposite JuJu. Just a hunch. I think D. Johnson becomes the primary slot guy (rotating w Switz) and James Washington plays in 4-5 reciever sets. Eli Rogers is on the outside looking in.


TE1 McDonald
TE2 Gentry
TE3 Grimble

I think Gentry surprises with his move skills & athleticism, he's not the plodder people may think. A bigger question in fact, is his ability as an in-line blocker, where Grimble may have an edge right now.

OG1 DeCastro
OG2 Foster
OG3 ?

Steelers added a number of prospects to the interior O-line, should be an interesting battle to watch. Derwin Gray, Fred Johnson, Garett Brumfield, RJ Prince will be vying for prob 1 spot, curious to see who rises to the occasion.

DT1 Hargrave
DT2 Buggs
DT3 McCullers

If they keep two interior lineman, McCullers may be the odd man out.

ILB1 Bush
ILB2 Williams
ILB3 Barron
ILB4 Gilbert

Matakevich will be in the roster battle of his life, as there are now multiple linebackers who can play ST's, including Gilbert & Sutton Smith. The fact they released Bostic just proves (to me) they're ready to move ahead with these quicker, faster LB's.

OLB1 Watt
OLB2 Dupree
OLB3 Smith
OLB4 Adeniyi

Again, I'm projecting here... but Chickillo may be the odd man out. This is a huge leap of faith regarding Ola Adeniyi, that the Steelers like his pash rush and he shows up to camp in great shape & health. As far as Sutton Smith....re-watch yesterday's presser with Tomlin & Colbert, it's shocking the amount of time they spent discussing Smith, arguably more than any other draft pick. Just kept coming back to him, over and over. It seems highly likely they have plans for him, above and beyond just being a ST guy. We'll see about that, but it may very well be in the cards.

CB1 Haden
CB2 Nelson
CB3 Hilton
CB4 Layne
CB5 Sutton
CB6 Allen

Unless Artie Burns shows up a changed man, playing with his hair on fire, he may very well be bumped off the roster. Justin Layne could easily move up this list, and get significant playing time early on. Brian Allen seems to be at the crossroads, he's been here long enough if he's gonna take a big step forward it should be happening right around now. Cam Sutton showed flashes last year, perhaps he too takes that sophmore leap the Steelers coaches preach about.

S1 Edmunds
S2 Davis
S3 Allen
S4 Kelly

IMO Kameron Kelly is the one AAF guy who may have a shot to make the roster. If he shows more than Dangerfield, that is. Tomlin mentioned they also look at Hilton & Sutton as safety capable, as is I presume Brian Allen. So they may only keep three S and rotate in some of these corners. The elephant in the room is Marcus Allen, wether the kid is ready to take a big step and start making a name for himself. The table is set for him w Davis' contract up next year, I hope Allen comes ready to work. This safety group overall seems the thinnest position on the roster (besides TE), so would not shock me to see a veteran FA added here at some point.

Comments welcome, cheers!

 

[Supersteeler]

Nice write up Tibs. Lots of jobs, especially primary backup positions are going to be an open competition this year.

 

[Stryker]

My WRs thus far would be:

X JuJu/ Johnson
Y Switzer/ Eli
Z Moncrief/ Washington

Unless the team uses Samuels more in the slot, they will keep 6 WRs again this season.

 

[diver]

I'm just excited for things to get rolling for the first time in a while. I was really getting to the point of disliking this team. I've been a fan for over 45 years, and that was the first time in those years that i felt that. Even with some of those crappy '80s teams. With all the drama gone, or we hope anyway, they can just get back to being a football team.

I like the draft a lot. I like that they were aggressive and addressed their most glaring issue. I like the receiver pick...I think the Steelers have had more success at the position with these types of guys than the "tall" guy. I think the tall guys they have had have lacked some things, ultimately...like going up and getting the football. It always baffled me...but it appears this kid can do that.

I wonder if the desire for another running back earlier than I thought they would is a silent worry about the fact that your lead back is a cancer survivor and you never know.

The main thing for me is just them being the Pittsburgh Steelers again, and not as much a collection of stars. I think they will be better.

 

[Tibs]

My WRs thus far would be:

X JuJu/ Johnson
Y Switzer/ Eli
Z Moncrief/ Washington

Unless the team uses Samuels more in the slot, they will keep 6 WRs again this season.

That makes sense, forgot we usually keep six.

I also see a nice battle brewing for PR/KR between Johnson and Switz. Should be fun to watch, these two pushing each other, especially if Switz is fully healthy.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I think you are overly optimistic about the rookie class. Generally speaking first three are locks and after that it is about 50 50 for the practice squad. And if Chickillo was actually on the bubble and they didn't take Winovich....... I don't know.

 

[Tibs]

I wonder if the desire for another running back earlier than I thought they would is a silent worry about the fact that your lead back is a cancer survivor and you never know.

I think it has little to do with Connor's long term health prospects, and has everything to do with what was obvious to even the casual fan, that Connor was winded in 2nd halves of the games throughout the season. By adding a legitimate back like Benny Snell, they can now find the right mix & balance with playing these two, with a dash of Samuels sprinkled in, that could keep our running game humming for four quarters. Snell is gonna be a load for defenses to handle, and Connor's no slouch himself. I love the bang-bang aspect of having these two to throw at defenses in waves. Will only help open things up for Ben in the passing game.

 

[Djfan]

This d backfield is way more suspect than the TE position is.

 

[Tibs]

I think you are overly optimistic about the rookie class. Generally speaking first three are locks and after that it is about 50 50 for the practice squad. And if Chickillo was actually on the bubble and they didn't take Winovich....... I don't know.

LOL, you're probably right about that. And I'd generally agree with you, but I think there may be more there than meets the eye with our picks past round 4 this year. It has mostly to do with the guys we have on the roster at certain positions.

For instance, it doesn't seem like a stretch to see Gentry make it with only Grimble ahead of him. His moment of truth will come in the trenches, can he hold his ground and be an asset as a blocker?

I wrote about Tomlin/Colbert's seeming infatuation with Sutton Smith at the presser yesterday, which literally shocked me, given his size limitations. They saw him play off the ball at senior bowl, and Smith's put plenty of splash plays on tape over his college career. The kid put up monster numbers regularly going up against men who outweigh him by 60-70+ pounds. He may be a guy who shows up ready for the bright lights, not intimidated by the task in front of him. Lord only knows if they see a role for him as a OLB/ILB hybrid type guy, and a main cog on ST?

Isaiah Buggs has only Dan McCullers to deal with, he was probably the steal of the draft class given where he was drafted. It sounds like he can play up and down the line, either inside or as a five technique. It doesn't seem like a stretch to see him overtake McCullers by the end of the summer, we'll see.

That leaves LB Gilbert & OL Gray as the long shots to make the team. Gilbert will have to prove his chops on ST, but is also this new type of move ILB that has wheels and plays sideline to sideline. You have to wonder if they'd rather go with someone like him over Matakevich. Gray has position flexibility at tackle and guard, who knows how he shows in camp. He may indeed be more of a practice squad guy.

But yes, even all of this is probably overly optimistic, sorry, I can't help myself.

 

[BLITZ]

nice write up Tibs! I don't think we are done with the Tight end roster. they will probs add a vet by trade or free agency(who ever is left0

 

[Tibs]

nice write up Tibs! I don't think we are done with the Tight end roster. they will probs add a vet by trade or free agency(who ever is left0

Totally agree Blitz, actually hoping that happens. Someone threw out Kyle Rudolph's name in the draft thread yesterday as a possibility. Would be preferable to bring Gentry along slowly as a third TE, in place of Grimble.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Good write up Tibs and the opertunism is fantastic. I am looking for the not meMEme team this year as well.





Salute the nation

 

[xjx]

They will likely pluck a TE from a practice squad or someone else's camp.

I like the Snell pick. The problem is that Tomlin doesn't give his rb's a breather. He didn't with Bell, he didn't last year with Connor. If Snell can get 40 % snaps we could keep legs fresh. Conner fumbled last year because he was so worn out.

 

[xjx]

Sutton Smith looks like a solid tackler. I like that. He moves well too. I hope he gets some playing time so we see what he can do.

 

[SCSteeler4life]

Looking forward to seeing our team play for the patch on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. Let's Go Steelers !

 

[JMM]

Nice summary Tibs. Good job! Like Diver, I'm amped up about the season too. I feel like the team had a big assed enema after jettisoning the player not to be named on my computer. Hope we can get back to playing good D and have an effective mix of pass and run with no friggin drama queens to get in the way.

 

[slashsteel]

I like Snell but I think he is a 3 listing until he earns that number 2 spot. Especially after JaySam ran so well against the cheats. Some of the positioning might be a formality. But I am sure the Steelers won't anoint any rookie ahead of a vet until they earn it.

 

[steelermania]

They will likely pluck a TE from a practice squad or someone else's camp.

I like the Snell pick. The problem is that Tomlin doesn't give his rb's a breather. He didn't with Bell, he didn't last year with Connor. If Snell can get 40 % snaps we could keep legs fresh. Conner fumbled last year because he was so worn out.

They had garbage behind Conner last year. Jaylen Samuels wasn't ready, and Ridley was a guy who was so bad, that he made me long for the days of Davenport, Dwyer, and Redman. When they had a good back like Williams behind Bell, he got carries.

 

[Djfan]

I like Snell but I think he is a 3 listing until he earns that number 2 spot. Especially after JaySam ran so well against the cheats. Some of the positioning might be a formality. But I am sure the Steelers won't anoint any rookie ahead of a vet until they earn it.

Samuels did better than I expected. He is quickly overlooked. He earned a few more looks.

 

[Punxsutawney]

They will likely pluck a TE from a practice squad or someone else's camp.

I like the Snell pick. The problem is that Tomlin doesn't give his rb's a breather. He didn't with Bell, he didn't last year with Connor. If Snell can get 40 % snaps we could keep legs fresh. Conner fumbled last year because he was so worn out.

If Tomlin likes a back enough, he's going to run him 20 feet into the ground. We've seen this going back to Parker.

I'm do not think it's the wisest strategy, but Tomlin is committed to it, and it may bring some logic to the Snell pick.

 

[SteelerSask2]

LOL, you're probably right about that. And I'd generally agree with you, but I think there may be more there than meets the eye with our picks past round 4 this year. It has mostly to do with the guys we have on the roster at certain positions.

For instance, it doesn't seem like a stretch to see Gentry make it with only Grimble ahead of him. His moment of truth will come in the trenches, can he hold his ground and be an asset as a blocker?

I wrote about Tomlin/Colbert's seeming infatuation with Sutton Smith at the presser yesterday, which literally shocked me, given his size limitations. They saw him play off the ball at senior bowl, and Smith's put plenty of splash plays on tape over his college career. The kid put up monster numbers regularly going up against men who outweigh him by 60-70+ pounds. He may be a guy who shows up ready for the bright lights, not intimidated by the task in front of him. Lord only knows if they see a role for him as a OLB/ILB hybrid type guy, and a main cog on ST?

Isaiah Buggs has only Dan McCullers to deal with, he was probably the steal of the draft class given where he was drafted. It sounds like he can play up and down the line, either inside or as a five technique. It doesn't seem like a stretch to see him overtake McCullers by the end of the summer, we'll see.

That leaves LB Gilbert & OL Gray as the long shots to make the team. Gilbert will have to prove his chops on ST, but is also this new type of move ILB that has wheels and plays sideline to sideline. You have to wonder if they'd rather go with someone like him over Matakevich. Gray has position flexibility at tackle and guard, who knows how he shows in camp. He may indeed be more of a practice squad guy.

But yes, even all of this is probably overly optimistic, sorry, I can't help myself.

Just looking at the depth chart Snell probably makes the team basically by forfeit. And Gentry is in a similar position. No way they go with 2 TE. So he has to beat out players of similar experience. At this point he has very light competition which is pretty scary considering the fragility of MacDonald.

 

[SteelerSask2]

If Tomlin likes a back enough, he's going to run him 20 feet into the ground. We've seen this going back to Parker.

I'm do not think it's the wisest strategy, but Tomlin is committed to it, and it may bring some logic to the Snell pick.

I agree. It almost seems like the strategy is to have a good back in the wings so that in December when a player by accumulation of hits is out, you have another guy there. Wouldn't it make more sense to manage the feature back so you actually have him. And herein lies a major difference in the Steelers and the Pats. The Pats know they will win their division. They treat the first four games like an extension of the preseason, where they find out what they really have and make adjustments. They always have three backs that play and everyone is usually good at the end. The Steelers Scratch and claw from game one. Can't say it was much different with Cowher and Bettis though.

 

[Hines57]

I agree. It almost seems like the strategy is to have a good back in the wings so that in December when a player by accumulation of hits is out, you have another guy there. Wouldn't it make more sense to manage the feature back so you actually have him. And herein lies a major difference in the Steelers and the Pats. The Pats know they will win their division. They treat the first four games like an extension of the preseason, where they find out what they really have and make adjustments. They always have three backs that play and everyone is usually good at the end. The Steelers Scratch and claw from game one. Can't say it was much different with Cowher and Bettis though.

We desperately needed another back. We couldn't go into the year with just Conner and Samuels. Now we have three young backs and they can in theory split the time. We will see if that in theory part plays itself out.

 

[JMM]

We desperately needed another back. We couldn't go into the year with just Conner and Samuels. Now we have three young backs and they can in theory split the time. We will see if that in theory part plays itself out.

Totally agree. We were #31 in rushing last year, wouldn't have been if they stopped getting away from the run when it was working, but still, there's a lot of room for improvement and hey if Ben goes down with an injury, we're going to need a strong running game to stay afloat.

 

[SteelerSask2]

We desperately needed another back. We couldn't go into the year with just Conner and Samuels. Now we have three young backs and they can in theory split the time. We will see if that in theory part plays itself out.

I think Samuels will be a true third down back. That would be progress in itself. Maybe Snell is in a short yardage capacity. Nothing in my experience would tell me Tomlin will share the load of feature back other than a carry here or there.