When the Pittsburgh Steelers released their depth chart following their loss to the Green Bay Packers, ahead of their game with the Tennessee Titans, it caused a bit of a stir on social media. There were fans that felt certain players were moved up that were undeserving and fans who argued that players who were not at the top (the “starter”) of a position were being slighted. Preseason being an evaluation period, however, means that an NFL team’s depth chart and roster are fluid. So, there is no need to bank on the chart shared most recently as a final indication of players who may or may not even be on the final 53-man roster when the regular season opens in September.

One only has to look through the thread following this tweet by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler to see the fan activity on both sides of the spectrum.

In Steelers’ official depth chart for Week 3 of the preseason, two rookies – receiver James Washington and safety Terrell Edmunds – move up to second string. Both have had impressive moments over the last four weeks. Jon Bostic now listed as first-team ILB. pic.twitter.com/uoxdUb5i5L

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 20, 2018

But this was not the only thread that got a bit heated in relation to the depth chart release. It seems several NFL fans, not just those backing the black and gold, are unhappy with Jon Bostic being placed No. 1 at inside linebacker with Vince Williams.

Bostic was a free agent addition during the off-season and considered to be veteran depth. Saying he’s a “veteran” is a bit of a misnomer; a poor designation. Bostic, since he entered the league via the 2013 NFL Draft (Chicago Bears) out of the University of Florida, hasn’t had the greatest of opportunities to show his full abilities due to several injuries. In fact, Bostic’s most active season was in 2017 with the Indianapolis Colts where he recorded 97 tackles (57 solo), three pass defenses, and one sack in 14 games (14 starts). He earned a 74.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranked 38th among all linebackers who earned ranks that season.

Those 97 tackles in 14 games would have made Bostic the team’s leader in that statistic if he’d been on the Pittsburgh roster.

Fans watched Bostic get targeted by opposing quarterbacks the past two exhibition games and the low preseason grade by PFF compared to rookie Matthew Thomas and began clamoring for Thomas to be at the top of the depth chart. Opposite Williams, the only three linebackers with a sample size that was graded were Thomas, Bostic and Tyler Matakevich per PFF.

Though it's not a large sample, overall grades so far through the preseason for #Steelers LBs opposite Williams (min 40 defensive snaps):

Matthew Thomas: 81.4
Tyler Matakevich: 79.3
Jon Bostic: 32.5

Bostic has been picked on in coverage with 8 targets and 6 receptions allowed. https://t.co/zq8gbzMSKE

— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) August 20, 2018

Grades look great on Thomas, but is the rookie ready to “quarterback” the defense; can he communicate effectively the proper schemes, assignments, personnel swaps, and still play his assigned role even when the Steelers call in a more exotic versus base play? Are fans ready to overlook the fact that one of the biggest issues the Steelers defense had last season was communication simply so the shiny new penny, so to speak, gets what many consider to be top billing?

And the Bostic versus Thomas debate is just one of many involving the current depth chart.

Le’Veon Bell has yet to show up, but he is listed as RB1 (running back) ahead of James Conner and Jaylen Samuels. What about Fitzgerald Toussaint and Stevan Ridley? Why aren’t they listed at numbers two and three since they have more experience in the league?

Vance McDonald is injured, so how can he be TE1 (tight end)? Shouldn’t Jesse James be the main man?

All the discussion about the depth chart means little to nothing at this point. Coaches often use the chart to encourage guys to step up their play; a sort of black and white reminder that anyone could take the top spot should someone not remain competitive. It isn’t a golden ticket to automatic success for a player who is listed first at any given position, either.

So, take the newest depth chart with a grain of salt, not as money in the bank, and enjoy watching the rest of preseason knowing that the Steelers coaching staff is continuing to push players to not only improve their play, but to make the final roster and the first depth chart that means something: Week 1 of the 2018 NFL regular season.