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2026 Offseason Depth Chart & Primer

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Thor, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:18 PM.

  1. Thor

    Thor Staff Member Mod Team

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    Mar 20, 2014
    It's only a little over a month until the new league season commences, and free agency officially begins - March 11 @ 4PM. Six weeks later we've got the draft, from April 23-25.

    Below is a loose, season-ending depth chart for each squad.

    Key

    * - player 30 or over
    Red font - 2026 UFA
    Orange font - player entering final year of contract
    Green font - 2025 rookie

    OFFENSE (28)

    QB: Aaron Rodgers*..............Mason Rudolph* | Will Howard
    RB: Jaylen Warren.................Kenneth Gainwell | Kaleb Johnson
    FB: Connor Heyward

    LT: Broderick Jones...............Dylan Cook
    LG: Isaac Seumalo*..............Andrus Peat* | Max Scharping
    C : Zach Frazier....................Ryan McCollum
    RG: Mason McCormick..........Spencer Anderson
    RT: Troy Fautanu..................Calvin Anderson | Jack Driscoll

    TE: Pat Freiermuth...............Darnell Washington | Jonnu Smith
    WRx: DK Metcalf..................Roman Wilson
    WRz: M. Valdes-Scantling*....Scotty Miller
    WRy: Calvin Austin III..........Ben Skowronek

    DEFENSE (32)

    DT: Derrick Harmon..............Isaiahh Loudermilk | Logan Lee
    NT: Keanu Benton................Yahya Black | Daniel Ekuale*
    DT: Cameron Heyward*........Esezi Otomewo | Dean Lowry*

    LOLB: TJ Watt*....................Jack Sawyer | Jeremiah Moon
    LILB: Patrick Queen.............Malik Harrison | Carson Bruener
    RILB: Payton Wilson............Cole Holcomb
    ROLB: Alex Highsmith...........Nick Herbig

    LCB: James Pierre...............Asante Samuel Jr.
    RCB: Joey Porter Jr..............Cory Trice Jr
    NCB: Jalen Ramsey*............Brandin Echols | Donte Kent

    SS: DeShon Elliot................Jabrill Peppers* | Miles Killebrew*
    FS: Kyle Dugger..................Chuck Clark* | Sebastian Castro

    SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

    PT: Corliss Waitman*
    PK: Chris Boswell*
    LS: Christian Kuntz*


    Notable 2026 free agents [news/reports/updates in blue]

    QB

    Malik Willis
    Daniel Jones
    Aaron Rodgers*
    Kirk Cousins* [2/7 - reports Atlanta will release prior to Roster bonus date of 3/14]
    Marcus Mariota
    Joe Flacco*
    Sam Howell
    Carson Wentz*

    RB
    Kenneth Gainwell - IMO, the best combo of talent and cost
    Breece Hall
    Kenneth Walker III
    Rico Dowdle
    Javonte Williams
    Travis Etienne
    JK Dobbins

    WR
    George Pickens [2/7 - reports Dallas will use Franchise Tag]
    Mike Evans*
    Jalen Coker - UDFA with good upside, but is an ERFA
    Wandale Robinson
    Deebo Samuel*
    Jauan Jennings
    Romeo Doubs - solid complimentary receiver
    Greg Dortch - under the radar, always shined when given the chance in Arizona, but overall stats are underwhelming

    ILB
    Devin Lloyd - star player, high $
    Alex Anzalone - a little older (31), a little cheaper
    Matt Milano
    Quincy Williams
    Leo Chenal - a more physical option
    Nakobe Dean

    CB
    Jaylen Watson
    Greg Newsome
    Alontae Taylor
    Chidobe Awuzie
    Eric Stokes
    Roger McCreary - solid player, fits the mold as Steeler FA offseason signing

    S
    ArDarius Washington - phenomenal coverage ability and plays for a rival
    Geno Stone - ditto
    Donovan Wilson
    Andre Cisco - good range, playmaker
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2026 at 3:24 AM
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  2. Thor

    Thor Staff Member Mod Team

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    • If they want to drop some coin FS is the way to go.
    • They'll need to secure depth in both trenches, but I don't see them going after a top-line FA over drafting and developing one on their own.
    • They need to retain at least one of Pierre/Samuel, and be on the lookout for more talent early at corner.
    • The market has a number of RBs available; could help them resign Gainwell at a reasonable price.
    • Depending on how the draft class looks, there are some good sleeper options at WR: Doubs, Coker, and Dortch have all flashed when given the opportunity.
     
  3. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We want in so we can bark to go out again

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    Thank you
     
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  4. Thor

    Thor Staff Member Mod Team

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    Mar 20, 2014
    Updated the FA pool with a couple of reports today on Pickens (will be tagged) and Cousins (will be released at start of new league year).
     
  5. Born2Steel

    Born2Steel Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2023
    This should be a fun thread. Thanks!
     
  6. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Awesome work.
     
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  7. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    LoL. No freaking way is Pickens going to like a tag. LoL.
    I can't wait to see that play out.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. Thor

    Thor Staff Member Mod Team

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    Mar 20, 2014
    De nada - just wanted to give everyone a bird's eye view of our roster heading into free agency.
     
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