LATROBE, Pa. -- The Steelers held their final practice of training camp here at Saint Vincent College Thursday afternoon and it raised the question.
Is this team better or worse than we thought coming into this process?
Mike Tomlin was asked that question this week and said he wouldn't know for sure until he saw what happens during the season. But who wants to wait that long?
By any account, this training camp was a success. The Steelers made it through without any major injuries. And they've gotten a good look at a number of young and new guys.
We've had a lot of practices -- 14 in all -- and a preseason game from which to judge that. So it might be a good time to dive into the question if they're better or worse position by position.
Quarterbacks -- Better
The Steelers entered training camp with an established veteran star in Ben Roethlisberger and a bunch of inexperienced guys in Josh Dobbs, Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges behind him. But Rudolph looks more confident and in better command of the offense this year. He'll start preseason Game No. 2 this weekend against the Chiefs and unless he falls flat on his face, probably be the No. 2 QB this season. Dobbs hasn't had as strong a training camp this year as he did a year ago, but the emergence of Hodges offsets that. The Steelers have four players in camp at this position that can play in the NFL. That much is apparent.
Running backs -- Worse
The top three guys -- James Conner, Jaylen Samuels and Rosie Nix -- are solid. But we knew that coming into camp. What didn't happen was the emergence of Benny Snell as a viable backup option. Snell didn't display much power in the preseason opener. He has shown the ability to pick up blitzes and catch the ball out of the backfield in practice sessions, but his main purpose should be running with the ball in his hands. His lack of top-end speed was apparent last week against the Bucs and has shown itself to be true at training camp, as well. If you're not a speedy back and you don't make guys miss, you'd better run with a lot of power, and we haven't see a lot of that yet, either. He might be in danger of being passed by Trey Edmunds on the depth chart.
Wide receiver -- Better
JuJu Smith-Schuster looks like a true No. 1 receiver. He's been one of the best players in camp and looks better than he did even a year ago. Donte Moncrief and James Washington look like they'll be solid contributors, as well. Rookie Diontae Johnson has flashed ability when he's been available, but it's been disappointing he's had to deal with some injuries. The Steelers know what they have in Ryan Switzer and Eli Rogers, but Tevin Jones and Johnny Holton have looked good, as well. This is an underrated group that is bonding closely following the death of position coach Darryl Drake.
Offensive line -- Better
We knew coming into this the Steelers had quality depth behind what's an already great starting unit. But the emergence of a player such as Fred Johnson, an undrafted rookie guard, makes it even better. Jerald Hawkins has been a disappointment, but overall the group is good.
Tight end -- Worse
This was a trouble spot for the Steelers entering camp and it remains a question mark behind Vance McDonald as camp breaks. Xavier Grimble still looks like a No. 3. Rookie Zach Gentry catches the ball OK, but is lacking as a blocker at the point of attack. Kevin Rader has been better in this camp than Gentry, but lost a fumble against the Buccaneers. Look for the Steelers to scour the waiver wire at this position when the cuts start to happen.
Defensive line -- Better
The emergence of Isaiah Buggs, a sixth-round draft pick, is a nice revelation. It was tough to judge Buggs in OTAs and minicamp because the team wasn't in pads. But he's got some pop to him. The top four are set. And Daniel McCullers seems to once again have the inside track at being the backup nose tackle. But the emergence of Buggs makes this a better group.
Outside linebackers -- Same
T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree are the starters. Anthony Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi are the backups, though Adeniyi will have to overcome a knee injury. But we knew all that entering camp. Sutton Smith spent much of camp on the sideline nursing an injury, though he did finally get back on the field Thursday. But nobody new emerged here.
Inside linebackers -- Better
Devin Bush looks every bit the star he was drafted to be. And Mark Barron looks like a solid pickup in free agency, as well. But the real surprises have been depth guys Ulysees Gilbert and Robert Spillane. They both look like legitimate NFL players, as well. The Steelers were weak at this position a year ago. Now, they might possibly cut a guy who gets picked up and plays elsewhere in the league.
Cornerback -- Better
The injury scare to Joe Haden aside, this group has been solid throughout camp. Artie Burns and Cameron Sutton both had strong camps. Brian Allen has had his moments, as well. Rookie Justin Layne struggled in the preseason opener, but he started the game and played better as he got his feet under him. This group might not be the most talented in the league, but it's deep.
Safety -- Better
Terrell Edmunds looks like he could have a Watt-style breakout in 2019. He's looked that good and athletic at camp. Sean Davis missed a large chunk of camp after having the bone from a dislocated finger pop through the skin, but that allowed Kameron Kelly a chance to get a lot of snaps. Same goes for P.J. Locke. Jordan Dangerfield is locked in as the top backup. He's fine. The Steelers still don't have a ton of proven depth here, but the emergence of Edmunds is makes this position more solid.
Special teams -- Better
Chris Boswell was solid throughout camp until missing a couple of long attempts Thursday. But he's booming the ball and was perfect on all three of his kicks in the first preseason game. The punting has been good regardless of which kicker they've used there. It would have been nice to see more of Johnson as a return man, but he missed a lot of time. That means Switzer emerges from here as the top punt and kick returner -- at least for now. With the addition of a number of speedy young players, the coverage units look better, as well.
