5 best training camp battles for Steelers in 2019

3. Right tackle

Matt Feiler vs. Chukwuma Okorafor vs. Jerald Hawkins

The offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the top units in the league and arguably the strength of Mike Tomlin’s team these days. Seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro Maurkice Pouncey anchors this group from the center spot, flanked by guards Ramon Foster and David DeCastro. Like Pouncey, the latter has also earned a pair of All-Pro selection and has been named to the last four Pro Bowls. Meanwhile, Foster has started at least 14 contests for Tomlin’s club in each of the past eight seasons.

On the outside, former undrafted free agent Alejandro Villanueva has emerged as a solid performer at left tackle. He’s been a 16-game starter for the Steelers each of the past three years and earned Pro Bowl accolades in 2017 and ‘18. As far as the other side, one-time starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason for a sixth-round selection in April’s draft. Injuries caused the eight-year pro to miss a combined 20 games the past two seasons.

A year ago, former undrafted free agent Matt Feiler was a 10-game starter this past year. But Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains that the right tackle job is an open competition this summer via Tomlin. ““It’s going to be whoever has the better play,” said Feiler. “It’s up for grabs. It will be a tough battle.”

And it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Next: No. 2