PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Still yet to practice in a team setting, TJ Watt listed as a starter with Melvin Ingram his backup at left outside linebacker. Steelers setting their depth chart for the Buffalo game on Monday.
Over a third of offensive starters are rookies. The Steelers haven't played games that Najee Harris is the starting running back. While wary to put too much on a first year player, from the moment Harris picked in the first round. It was obvious he would be the starting running back.
Kendrick Green-the Steelers third round pick listed as the backup to JC Hassenauer for the preseason. It became apparent, especially after the knee injury to Hassenauer in camp. Green would be the number one. Working almost exclusively with Ben Roethlisberger over the last few weeks of practices. The third round pick from Illinois will make his fifth ever start at the position Sunday in New York.
Dan Moore, Jr.-speculated by some as camp opened to be a potential released draft pick, Moore improved every day. It's likely as much of Zach Banner's injury and moving Chukwuma Okorafor to the right side, as Moore's performance in camp. Regardless, the Texas A&M fourth round pick will be protecting a Hall of Famer's blind side.
Pat Freiermuth-the second round selection from Penn State listed as a co-starter with veteran Eric Ebron at tight end. All due respect to Harris, he might be the most impressive rookie in camp. Freiermuth rarely drops a pass and had a couple of touchdowns in the preseason. The 6'5" rookie is also in a tight end friendly offense this year.
Tre Norwood-while not listed as a starter, Norwood likely will get an opportunity in dime packages on defense. The seventh round pick has worked a lot on first-team pass defending units and is listed as Minkah Fitzpatrick's backup. In his last six games at Oklahoma, Norwood intercepted five passes.
Cam Sutton-starting at corner with James Pierre behind him on the right side. This still could and likely would change when the Steelers employ a slot position with Sutton shifting there and Pierre coming in. The wildcard here is the Ahkello Witherspoon, acquired late last week and participated in his first Steelers practice on Monday.
Chris Wormley-the second-year Steeler listed as the starter with Stephon Tuitt on injured reserve.
Joe Schobert-when the Steelers are in base defenses, Schobert will start next to Devin Bush. How it works when all of the linebackers are in the lineup is yet to be seen. Schobert did switch his number from 45 to 93. The last to wear that number, 6'9" defensive lineman Daniel McCullers. It's the first number James Harrison wore in 2002.
No other changes or surprises to the starting lineup with Kevin Dotson and Trai Turner the starting guards. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson the starting receivers.
