Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Haley
Defensive Coordinator: Keith Butler

Key Additions

• TE Ladarius Green
• CB Artie Burns (1st round)
• CB Justin Gilbert
• S Sean Davis (2nd round)
• OT Ryan Harris
• DT Javon Hargrave (3rd round)

Key Departures

• LT Kelvin Beachum
• DT Steve McLendon
• ILB Sean Spence
• TE Heath Miller (retired)

Preseason Power Rankings - No. 8

Pittsburgh was understandably an early Super Bowl favorite, but do suspensions to Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant have this team headed for another year of wasted potential? More ...

Projected Starting Lineup

*Green (ankle) has yet to be cleared for practice, but still hopes to return for Week 1; Le'Veon Bell will be the starting RB upon his return from a three-game suspension

*outside linebacker Bud Dupree (groin) will start the season on injured reserve, eligible to return after Week 6

Questions to Answer

• Which receivers will step up to fill the void left by the suspended Bryant?
• Can Roethlisberger stay healthy for a full season
• Can the secondary bounce back from an awful 2015, in which they ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game?

Best-case Scenario

The Steelers' offense doesn't miss a beat without Bryant, with Wheaton, Rogers, and Coates all taking leaps. Bell's return boosts the unit to arguably the best in the league, and he and Roethlisberger are able to stay healthy for the whole season. The defense has few standout stars, but is able to produce thanks to the high-scoring offense and a dominant pass-rush.

With the AFC ripe for the taking due to the Broncos and Patriots' issues, Pittsburgh's season ends with a Super Bowl trip.

Worst-case Scenario

Brown is the only consistent receiving threat, meaning the offense is a boom-or-bust unit week-to-week. Roethlisberger misses several games to injury (he has only played a full 16-game once since 2008), while the pass defense is again among the worst in the league. Pittsburgh slips to 8-8 and just misses out on a wild-card berth.