4 Newcomers Who Will Play Biggest Roles for the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are certainly a transformed team this year, primarily on offense. With new offensive coordinator Todd Haley replacing Bruce Arians, we're bound to see some of the newer faces making a big impact.

Both rookies and veterans brand new to the Steelers this year should elevate the team's offense, making it more dynamic and unpredictable. 

In the following slides, I detail four new Steelers who are going to step up and play a major role for the team this year.

RB/WR Chris Rainey

Chris Rainey is a speedy wide receiver/running back hybrid, something that's new for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Despite this newness and the fact that Rainey's a rookie, he's set to be a major game-changer in his first year in the NFL.

Rainey has the benefit of joining the team as they install a new offensive playbook, which means he's not all that behind the learning curve as he would be coming into a set system. Todd Haley's offensive philosophy is also one that incorporates—and often relies on—a player in such a hybrid role as Rainey's, meaning that drafting him was not just a happy coincidence: It was all part of the plan.

Rainey will be taking up the same role as Dexter McCluster has in the formerly Haley-coached Kansas City Chiefs, both catching passes and running the ball and using his explosive speed to elude defenders and eat up yardage.

Last year, McCluster had 160 touches—114 carries and 46 receptions—totaling 834 yards. He scored just two touchdowns; players in this role aren't particular red-zone threats, but they can certainly break away and end up scoring simply because they're too fast to tackle.

Look for a similar performance out of Rainey this year, especially on an offense that is leaps and bounds better than Haley's Chiefs were last year. The Steelers are embarking on a new phase in their offense, and that means a player like Rainey will prove to be invaluable. 

G David DeCastro

The one thing the Steelers desperately needed to do this offseason was improve their offensive line and make it more durable and consistent. 

They did so by drafting two offensive linemen in the first and second rounds of this year's draft, and their first-round pick, guard David DeCastro, might just be the steal of the year.

Pittsburgh needs both to run the ball more effectively and better protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Both of these areas suffered last year as the team fielded 25 different combinations on the line, a situation caused by multiple injuries and a learn-as-you-go approach to configuring the line that resulted.

DeCastro is an excellent run-blocker as well as a strong pulling guard—both he and left guard Willie Colon will be expected to pull this year—and is excellent at keeping defenders from reaching the quarterback.

With Haley likely to run the ball a bit more, as well as getting more running backs involved in the passing game, improvement on the offensive line is even that much more imperative for the Steelers this year.

The success of the new system will rely heavily on the line, which means that DeCastro will have ample opportunity to show just why he was the perfect first-round pick for the Steelers.

OT Mike Adams

The second Steelers offensive lineman selected in the draft was Ohio State tackle Mike Adams. Adams, who fell from the Steelers' draft board after lying to the team at the scouting combine, earned his way back on it and ultimately became their draft pick, after he successfully met their (unspecified) conditions.

As long as Adams can improve his strength, he's a lock to be the Steelers' starting left tackle, charged with protecting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. Roethlisberger has certainly gotten his fair share of hits over his career, and one of Haley's biggest challenges this year will be to keep him better protected.

Not only will Adams need to keep Roethlisberger upright, he'll also have a major role in the Steelers' run protection, an area in which he's also quite talented. 

Though for many years the Steelers' hallmark has been their brutal defense, in recent years their offense has become one of the better ones in the league. In order to improve this year, better offensive line protection will be necessary, and that's why Adams (in concert with DeCastro) will have such a major role to play in his rookie season.

TE Leonard Pope

Leonard Pope is no stranger to an NFL field but he's new to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brought on during the offseason as a free agent, Pope was likely added to the Steelers roster by offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who has clearly expressed a fondness for the player.

Pope was with the Arizona Cardinals when Haley was the offensive coordinator and then headed to the Kansas City Chiefs when Haley took over head coaching duties. Now, he's in Pittsburgh and set to make an impact as another pass-catching tight end complement to the longtime Steelers veteran Heath Miller.

Pope is extra-important to the Steelers this year. Haley is likely to use more two-tight end formations, and Miller's typical No. 2, Weslye Saunders, is facing a four-game suspension to start the season. He'll be used in both blocking and receiving capacities and should be a red-zone target for Ben Roethlisberger, similar to Miller.

Though Pope isn't likely to outshine Roethlisberger-favorite Miller—especially considering that Pope's best year isn't better than Miller's worst—he'll provide another little something the Steelers have lacked with Bruce Arians calling the plays. 

Pope should cut into Miller's targets somewhat, which should yield him a touchdown or three. Every point matters in the NFL, which means that Pope's role in his first year with the Steelers should be a big one.

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