As the 90-man rosters are now set, the time for examining training camp battles is here. We will analyze the Pittsburgh Steelers roster and decipher who not only will make the team, but where they stand in terms of playing time for the 2016 season and beyond. There are always reasons to hold on to these lower-end players, as they can become crucial when other guys come and go via free agency. In this edition, we will look at the offensive guard position. The Steelers will likely carry three offensive guards this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Guard Depth Chart Projections
Starting Left Guard: Ramon Foster
Foster has been the starting left guard for the past five full seasons, taking over as the starter midway through the 2010 season, his second in the league. Foster signed a three-year/$9.6 Million deal this off-season which all but ensures that he will enter year six as a starter. He will likely remain a starter until his current contract expires in 2019. Foster will be 33 then, and it’ll presumably be his last campaign as a starter.
Starting Right Guard: David DeCastro
DeCastro is beginning to breakout as one of the best interior lineman in the NFL. Last year, DeCastro made his first Pro Bowl and became a first team All-Pro performer for the first time. DeCastro will be a free agent this off-season, and the thought is that if any player in the organization signs an extension this summer, it will be DeCastro. A budding star throughout his first four seasons, the 26-year-old is still ascending in his abilities. It would be a major disappointment not to lock DeCastro up for the future.
3. Chris Hubbard
Noted in a previous article, Chris Hubbard and B.J. Finney may be the best battle in training camp this season for the Steelers. Hubbard’s job is not safe in anyway, but his experience should give him the slight advantage heading into Latrobe in July. Hubbard is a free agent after this year, and with the younger–and cheaper–Finney already competing for a job, it may very well be Hubbard’s last year making the team.
Finney, as aforementioned, will head into training camp with a good chance to make the roster as the third guard. There is a small chance the Steelers carry four guards, but that could mean one of their four tackles, or backup center Cody Wallace, will be cut. Both of these scenarios, however, are unlikely. Cole Manhart will head to Latrobe with a chance to compete as an undrafted free agent this season. Given their feelings on both Hubbard and Finney, it would be a major upset to see Manhart make the roster, and it’s pretty doubtful he even makes the practice squad out of camp.
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