Defensive line depth was a constant worry for the Steelers in 2015. The Steelers were fortunate to have a great starting defensive line, but one bad snap would have been detrimental to the defense. Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt were playing an exhausting amount of snaps, and if either of them had gotten hurt, Cam Thomas would have been the next man up.

The Steelers were proactive this offseason, focusing their efforts on acquiring defensive line depth for the upcoming season. From what we have seen in training camp, and game action, the Steelers seem set along the defensive line in 2016.

The Steelers efforts began in free agency, when they swapped ex-Chargers, and signed Ricardo Mathews. They also took the initiative in the 2016 draft, when they selected defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Both players have held their own, but the rookie Hargrave has flashed his talent periodically throughout camp, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

https://twitter.com/Steel_Curtain4/status/765578546697953280

One of the reasons Hargrave fell to the third round of the draft was because he played at a small school: the Steelers were smart enough to see his talent, and it appears the investment is already starting to pay off. Hargarve has much more room for improvement, and will surely continue to develop throughout the season.

Hargrave’s potential doesn’t diminish Mathews value, however.

In the Steelers preseason game versus the Lions, Doran Grant scored on a pick six, but many overlooked that on that snap, Mathews (#90,) pressured the quarterback, causing the errant throw.

Watch Doran Grant get the #Steelers on the board with a pick-six! https://t.co/F0RxcinRCb

— Behind the Steel Curtain (@btsteelcurtain) August 12, 2016

You can see Mathews utilizes his quick first step in order to disrupt the pocket and help create a turnover. In the Steelers first preseason game Mathews played consistently well and is already receiving more praise than Cam Thomas ever did. The acquisition of these players is pivotal because they are both capable of playing interior defensive line in the Steelers nickel defense.

Though the Steelers are still a 3-4 team at heart, the nickel has grown into their primary defensive package, being used around 70% of the time.

One player that has flown under the radar is 2015 draft pick L.T. Walton. Prior to camp it appeared that Walton would be battling fellow defensive end Cashaud Lyons, who spent the 2015 season on the practice squad, but Lyons has failed to make any noise during camp while Walton has showed signs of improvement. Upon being drafted, Walton appeared to have the tools to be a solid defensive end, and it seems his development is on the right track.

Walton is important to this group because his size and weight contrast from the other defensive lineman. Walton is is 6’5″ and 305 pounds, while Ricardo Mathews is 6’3″ 300 pounds, and Javon Hargrave is 6’1″ 310 pounds. Mathews and Hargrave both have body-types built for nickel interior defensive line; Walton on the other hand has the body-type to not only play in the nickel, but as a 3-4 defensive end. Walton may not be a hot name at the moment, but he is very important to this position group.

A player that is easy to forget, but not hard to spot on the field, is Big Dan McCullers. McCullers seemingly has the lowest ceiling of this crew, but he is certainly capable of contributing to this defense. With his 6’7″ 350 pound frame, McCullers is capable of being a proficient nose tackle and run-stuffer.

Though he has limited upside as a pass rusher, McCullers can make his money as a nose tackle in 3-4 formations, as well as being an immovable object in goal line formations. One of McCullers’ primary issues during his time with the Steelers has been his conditioning, and if can prove to be in proper shape for the upcoming season he has the potential to be a contributor to this defense.

With all of this said, it appears the Steelers are set at defensive line with the depth chart locked. The Steelers typically keep six defensive lineman on the 53 man roster and these players appear to be: Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Ricardo Mathews, LT Walton, Javon Hargrave, and Dan McCullers. It is certainly unfortunate for the remaining players on the 90 man roster that there is no clear path to make the team besides the practice squad, but a surplus of depth is always good problem to have.

This group has quickly changed from a liability to an asset. Having a competent depth chart at defensive line makes everybody happy: coaches, Steelers Nation, and certainly Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.