Steelers' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their 2022 preseason with a bang. They played a hard-fought game against the Seattle Seahawks and came away with a thrilling 32-25 victory.

One key takeaway from the game is that all three quarterbacks—Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and rookie first-rounder Kenny Pickett—performed well. Pittsburgh's quarterback competition, of course, has been the biggest storyline surrounding Steelers camp.

It's not the only key position battle the Steelers have, though. It's not the only one we're here to examine, either.

Below, you'll find a look at some of the biggest battles of Steelers camp, what they could mean for the regular season, and predictions based on factors like past production, player potential, roster depth and any relevant recent buzz.

Kevin Dotson vs. Kendrick Green

The Steelers could desperately use an improved offensive line. Last year's unit allowed 38 sacks while paving the way for the league's 29th-ranked rushing attack. To bolster it, Pittsburgh added Mason Cole and James Daniels in the offseason.

With Cole taking over at center, Kendrick Green finds himself battling incumbent Kevin Dotson at left guard. The 2020 fourth-round pick started nine games last season before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Green, a 2021 third-round pick, started 15 games at center with mixed results. He was responsible for three sacks allowed and nine penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.

"We both want to be a starter," Green said, per Chris Adamski of TribLive.

There can be only one starter, of course, and the prediction here is that Dotson keeps his job until/unless he is cleanly outplayed by Green. Pittsburgh will be seeking cohesion along the line from day one, and Dotson has spent two years working at guard—though this is his second year under coordinator Matt Canada and first under line coach Pat Meyer.

Green may eventually work his way back into the starting lineup. For now, though, expect him to be a quality depth piece behind Dotson and Cole.

Predicted Winner: Dotson

George Pickens vs. Calvin Austin III vs. Miles Boykin vs. Anthony Miller

The Steelers have two quality established receivers in Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. However, they parted with both JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington in the offseason.

The good news is that Pittsburgh has several options for a new No. 3 at the position.

Miles Boykin was claimed off waivers in April, Anthony Miller was signed last season, and Pittsburgh used second- and fourth-round picks on George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, respectively.

Boykin, a former Baltimore Raven, has experience in the AFC North, while Miller has experience playing with Trubisky from their Chicago Bears days. However, Austin and Pickens appear to be the most likely candidates to see the field alongside Johnson and Claypool.

Austin's speed has stood out in camp, though he's currently dealing with a foot injury. Pickens, who had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener, has continually stood out.

"Pickens has created plenty of hype, which isn’t easy for any player to do in an old-school training camp that focuses heavily on team," Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk wrote.

Expect Pickens to be Pittsburgh's third starting receiver, with Austin, Miller and special teams standout Gunner Olszewski rounding out the depth chart.

Predicted Winner: Pickens

Mitch Trubisky vs. Kenny Pickett vs. Mason Rudolph

This is the big one, of course. Pittsburgh's QB competition will dictate both the team's ability to compete in 2022 and its timeline for the future face of the franchise, Pickett.

The rookie out of Pittsburgh flashed plenty in his preseason debut, finishing 13-of-15 for 95 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. While he performed mostly against players who won't make Seattle's regular-season roster, it was the sort of showing that should earn Pickett more opportunities.

The thing is, Rudolph and Trubisky performed well, too.

Rudolph completed nine of 15 attempts for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Trubisky went 4-of-7 for 63 yards and a score. Trubisky capped a seven-play, 90-yard drive with a 13-yard TD strike to Olszewski on Pittsburgh's opening possession.

While Pickett impressed, Trubisky did nothing to lose his grasp on the starting spot.

"He has been entrenched in that position since he was signed as a free agent in the offseason," Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote of the former Bears player.

The prediction here is that even if Pickett continues to impress, Trubisky will open the season as the starter. The Steelers are looking to contend in 2022, and the 27-year-old has a clear edge in starting experience.

Plus, it'll be much easier to bench the journeyman if he performs poorly. Pickett is the long-term answer, and the Steelers won't want to rattle his confidence by starting him early and then benching him due to rookie struggles.

When, or if, Pickett takes over, the job will likely be his for the remainder of the season.

Predicted Winner: Trubisky