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Coaching camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers is correct across the nook, and the general roster takes form forward of the 2021 season.
As we transfer deeper into the offseason schedule, I transfer additional alongside in my Rating the Starters sequence right here at Steelers Depot. In case you missed the 2021 debut of the sequence on Saturday, here it is in all its glory.
Simply as a reminder, right here’s how the 2020 rankings went forward of the 2020 season.
Earlier than we proceed, I’ll offer you a quick rundown of names to count on on this sequence, as I make my starters projections. These names italicized are already within the rankings to start out the sequence.
Offense
QB — Ben Roethlisberger
RB — Najee Harris
WR — JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR – Diontae Johnson
WR – Chase Claypool
TE — Eric Ebron
LT — Chukwuma Okorafor
LG — Kevin Dotson
C — Kendrick Inexperienced
RG — Trai Turner
RT – Zach Banner
Protection
DE — Cameron Heyward
DE — Stephon Tuitt
OLB — Alex Highsmith
ILB — Devin Bush
ILB — Robert Spillane
OLB — TJ Watt
CB — Joe Haden
CB — Cameron Sutton
CB – James Pierre
S — Minkah Fitzpatrick
S — Terrell Edmunds
Specialists
Ok – Chris Boswell
P — Jordan Berry
Final be aware earlier than we dive in right here: right here’s how the record began out this season:
No. 24 — Jordan Berry
No. 23 — James Pierre
No. 22 — Chukwuma Okorafor
No. 21 — Zach Banner, RT
I actually purchased into the Zach Banner hype final coaching camp and it was a disgrace to see his season reduce brief after 59 snaps as a result of a torn ACL towards the New York Giants in Week 1 of the 2020 season.
Banner has fully remade his physique and suits precisely what the Steelers are in search of up entrance on the subject of energy and aggression within the run recreation. His laborious work and improvement noticed him win the beginning job and in the end safe a brand new contract with the Steelers.
He’s the veteran face of the Steelers’ offensive line at this level, because of his expertise with the Steelers, although Trai Turner is the elder statesman general.
If Banner is ready to regain his type he confirmed in coaching camp and early in Week 1, the Steelers will probably be strong at proper sort out for the following two years.
No. 20 — Kendrick Inexperienced, OC
Ought to rookie heart Kendrick Inexperienced become the middle the Steelers are hoping for, Inexperienced will take a considerable step ahead on this rating forward of the 2022 season.
Although I nonetheless consider he’s undersized general for the place, he brings the required athleticism and mentality to the place, which the Steelers hope rubs off on the opposite younger linemen within the group.
Clearly I’m projecting Inexperienced to beat out J.C. Hassenauer and B.J. Finney, which ought to assist solidify the inside of the offensive line general. With a projection of Kevin Dotson, Inexperienced and Turner inside, I like that group coming off the ball and transferring our bodies within the run recreation.
Inexperienced definitely wasn’t my best choice for the Steelers at heart within the draft, however I’ve slowly come round on him the extra movie I watch. The considerations with peak and size stays although.
No. 19 — Robert Spillane, iLB
I like Spillane over Vince Williams for the beginning inside linebacker job, which ought to assist solidify depth and expertise for the Steelers behind Spillane and Devin Bush.
Spillane was pressured into motion in 2020 as a result of harm and confirmed he might deal with the place as a starter, ending the yr with 45 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, one interception and one landing. Although he was injured down the stretch and returned at lower than 100% within the AFC Wild Card recreation, Spillane might enable the Steelers to do a bit extra in protection subsequent season as Bush works his means again from ACL surgical procedure early within the yr.
He’s a sound tackler, underrated blitzer and is a great soccer participant general, which confirmed instantly on movie as soon as he was inserted into the lineup. He’s not the sexiest identify on the protection, however he’s tremendous underrated and will see his identify blow up in 2021 subsequent to Bush.
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