Guard, tackle spots highlight Steelers' top training camp competition

In a typical year, some clarity would be provided on position battles by the time NFL players report to training camp.

Injuries take place in offseason practices. Rookies can impress in workouts. Others can regress. Spots on the de facto depth chart can be interchanged.

This, however, is anything but an ordinary year, and when the Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp Tuesday at Heinz Field, they will encounter the most unusual training camp in NFL history.

After no offseason workouts were conducted league-wide because of the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL and its union made it more difficult on players by canceling the entire preseason.

Without the benefit of games, chances to earn roster spots or compete for starting jobs will be few. What you saw at the end of 2019 might be what you get to start 2020. Still, these are a few of the position matchups that must be decided before the Sept. 14 opener at the New York Giants:

Left guard

Ramon Foster’s retirement created an opening between center Maurkice Pouncey and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva. B.J. Finney’s departure via free agency heightened the need for depth.

Stefen Wisniewski was signed as a free agent, and the Steelers selected guard Kevin Dotson in the fourth round of the draft. Yet, when camp opens, Matt Feiler is expected to get the initial snaps with the starters.

Without the benefit of offseason on-field workouts, coach Mike Tomlin went with the safe option in Feiler. He started 15 games at right tackle in 2019, but it was his work at left guard against the Los Angeles Rams that convinced management he could go back to his natural position.

At the outset, Wisniewski will slot in behind Feiler and Pouncey on the depth chart.

Right tackle

Tomlin’s decision to use Feiler at guard will leave the outside spot for Zach Banner or Chuks Okorafor to win.

Banner has a slight edge in NFL experience, entering the NFL in 2017. He appeared in 14 games last season, mostly as a blocking tight end in the jumbo package. He has used his two years in the Steelers system to reshape his body, and the product of that work could be to Banner’s benefit in camp.

Okorafor, a third-round pick in 2018, has two career starts at right tackle, and he capably filled in when Feiler moved inside against the Rams.

Fifth wide receiver

JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson return as starters, and they’ll be joined by rookie second-rounder Chase Claypool of Notre Dame. That leaves one likely opening among a group that includes Ryan Switzer, Deon Cain, Amara Darboh, Anthony Johnson, Quadree Henderson and Saeed Blacknall.

Switzer’s experience in the slot may give him an advantage, but he missed the final seven games of the season with a back injury. Cain was signed away from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in November, and he contributed five catches for 72 yards in limited playing time.

Backup running back

The Steelers will go with James Conner as the starter for the third year in a row with the hopes that he can have that elusive injury-free season. If Tomlin goes against the grain and decides to rotate in other running backs, he’ll have several options.

As a rookie, Benny Snell Jr. subbed when Conner was hurt and rushed for 426 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Samuels had mixed success as a Wildcat option and represents more of a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.

With one of their fourth-round picks, the Steelers selected Anthony McFarland Jr. from Maryland. He has 4.4 speed and is a breakaway threat the Steelers lacked in recent seasons.

Third inside linebacker

Mark Barron’s release and Tyler Matakevich’s exit as a free agent left the Steelers thin at the position. Vince Williams is pegged to start alongside 2019 first-round pick Devin Bush, but Williams is not an every-down player.

The only other inside linebackers with NFL experience are Ulysees Gilbert III and Robert Spillane. Gilbert played only on special teams as a rookie before a season-ending back injury. Spillane also is versatile on special teams.

Two undrafted free agent possibilities are John Houston of USC and Leo Lewis of Mississippi State.

Honorable mention

• Third-round pick Alex Highsmith will try to take playing time away from Ola Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper as the top backup outside linebacker.

• Tyson Alualu will start at nose tackle, but Daniel McCullers and end Chris Wormley will try to find roles in the defensive line rotation.

• With the backup quarterback spot Mason Rudolph’s to lose, Devlin “Duck” Hodges will try to hold off Paxton Lynch for the No. 3 job.

• Marcus Allen, rookie Antoine Brooks Jr. and perhaps Cam Sutton will try to replace Barron as the dime linebacker.