As the 90-man rosters are now set, you now have the information to start looking into training camp battles, and see what positions the Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking at this year. We will look through the 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. This edition we will look at the tight end position. The Steelers will likely carry three or four tight ends.
Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End Depth Chart Projections
1. Ladarius Green
With the departure of Heath Miller due to retirement, the Steelers were quick to find their replacement in Green. They signed Green to a 4-year, $20 million deal which clearly slots him in to the starting position. Green never exactly took over the job from an injured, and suspended Antonio Gates, so there is a major question whether he can fill the shoes of Miller, who has been old reliable for the Steelers since 2005. However, you have to love the signing and you know that Ben Roethlisberger approves. Roethlisberger, since Plaxico Burress left in 2005, has been lobbying constantly for a tall wide receiver. With Martavis Bryant coming quick and going quicker, Green will be Roethlisberger’s top target now in that regard, and will have to take advantage, mainly in the red zone.
2. Matt Spaeth
Green has been typically known as a pass catcher more than a blocking tight end. Therefore, the play of Spaeth will be important this year because he will have to be the better blocking tight end. Spaeth has been strong and reliable as a blocker for years behind Miller, and there should be no change in that. Spaeth is a free agent next year, but he should see that he is 32, he knows that there is a younger option on the team that he has been helping to take his spot on the depth chart, and that next year if he wanted to come back, it would be on a low-end, third tight end type of deal. Given that he tested the waters once before, and came back to Pittsburgh, he probably knows his role and will play out his career for the Steelers.
3. Jesse James
The Steelers goal is to have James, a 2015 5th round pick, learn from Spaeth, and take Spaeth’s job this season. James is tall, and could be another big redzone threat that Roethlisberger wanted. However, their decision to add Green may show where they see James. James is not the strongest blocker, and while the Steelers can certainly play with two pass catching tight ends, they will want at least a threat to run with their blocking ability. The hope is for James to step forward as a run blocker this season and enter the next season as another big player and option for Roethlisberger in the offense.
David Johnson was recently signed, and had been with the Steelers from 2009-13, but that does not ensure himself a roster spot. He is a FB/TE hybrid and probably was brought in as more competition to Roosevelt Nix, but is another sign of their initial thoughts of James. Signing Green, a player with a similar skillset, and then adding depth, a guy who is a better blocker, they are telling James he needs to compete for a roster spot this year. Johnson can also beat out a linebacker or safety if he proves to be a better special teamer. Xavier Grimble and Jay Rome are two other names to watch and are more competition for James. Both have the big size and ability to be a depth red zone threat. It could point to them carrying four tight ends this year, but with so much help and depth needed on defense, it could also mean that James will be on the roster bubble in August. Only time, and James’ progression can tell on this one.
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