As the 90-man rosters are now set, the information to start looking into training camp battles is here. We will look through the Pittsburgh Steelers roster and see who not only will make the team, but where they stand in terms of playing time for not only the 2016 season, but for the future. There are always reasons to hold on to these lower end players who may be able to make an impact as players come and go via free agency. In this edition, we will look at the offensive tackle position. The Steelers will likely carry four offensive tackles this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Tackle Depth Chart Projections
Left Tackle Starter: Alejandro Villanueva
At this time last year, Alejandro Villanueva was an undrafted free agent who spent his rookie season on the practice squad, and had an outside shot of making the team. A year before that, he was finishing his duties in Afghanistan as a part of the United States Army. Flash back to 2010 and he was a tight end for the Army football team. Now, here is your Steelers 2016 starter at left tackle. Villanueva obviously does not have extensive experience at tackle, but he did start in the final ten regular season games and the Steelers two playoff games at left tackle. He took over for an injured Kelvin Beachum, and the Steelers moving on from Beachum showed some of their faith in the young tackle. They did sign a tackle in free agency, and drafted one in the fourth round for competition, but the expectation is that he can win the job fairly easily this year, and will have the chance to lose it throughout the regular season.
Right Tackle Starter: Marcus Gilbert
Marcus Gilbert is one of the more underrated offensive tackles in the NFL. In his two games against Denver, with Von Miller going up on his side, he held the All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP to zero sacks, and Miller was hardly even a factor in the pass rush. Gilbert has one weakness, Terrell Suggs, but it seems like his time battling Suggs has built him up to be a top tier right tackle. He is a guy the Steelers should look to hold onto for years to come.
3. Ryan Harris
Whether it be Villanueva getting hurt (or proving he is not worthy to start) or Gilbert getting hurt, the first tackle that will get snaps is Ryan Harris, regardless of side. This is the main reason the Steelers decided to sign him this off-season. On a below average offensive line, Harris started 16 games for the Broncos and will have a real chance of beating out Villanueva for the starting left tackle spot. However, it seems like the intentions of the signing were to be a swing tackle and an emergency guy behind a high risk, high reward player in Villanueva.
4. Jerold Hawkins
Jerold Hawkins is a project of a tackle, but the Steelers had to know that when they drafted him in the fourth round. In seeing his tape, they have to know he is not competing for the starting job this year, but at the same time the Steelers are looking to keep him around. Hawkins has everything you want: size, arm length, and athletic ability. However, he is raw in his abilities, and really has no pass blocking skills right now. Drafting him in the fourth round, the Steelers see a project, and with a free roster spot due to Harris backing up both positions, the Steelers can groom Hawkins on the roster this season.
Matt Fieler is on the roster, but he just seems to be a body. He will keep the guys motivated in training camp, and should be heading to the practice squad for his second straight year. His only chance at making the team is an injury or major regret about the team’s fourth-round draft pick Hawkins.
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