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Steelers depth chart: What the Day 3 draft picks mean to the roster

The Steelers established their inside linebacker position as one to watch in terms of training camp competition. Along with that, the Steelers may have some Day 3 draft picks who see the field in 2014.

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The Steelers were able to select a few players in this draft who will see time right away, some of them coming in the later rounds. This bodes well for the depth chart, and creates two very competitive positions come training camp.

Round 4 - 118th pick overall: WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson

It's a good bet Bryant sees snaps in red zone packages early in his career. While he isn't a polished route-runner and won't compete with Markus Wheaton for a starting position, he's probably the rookie who will garner the most attention in terms of his development. With an offseason program still to work through, he'll get plenty of coaching. How he takes to that will determine how often he'll get on the field.

2014 Steelers Draft Picks

Round 5a - 157th pick overall: CB Shaquille Richardson, Arizona

Shaq won't see the field his rookie year, barring a massive misevaluation and a sterling training camp. The cornerback position essentially has three starters, and the Steelers have those three starters pretty much established - Cortez Allen, William Gay and Ike Taylor. You may see some competition from free ageny signing Brice McCain, but Richardson is likely headed for special teams, and he shouldn't be considered a lock for a roster spot. The team cut last year's fifth round cornerback, Terry Hawthorne, in training camp last year.

Round 5b - 173rd pick overall: OT Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt

Like his fifth-round colleague, Johnson isn't likely to see the field often, but given the team's relative lack of depth at tackle, a strong camp could lead to the release of veteran Guy Whimper. The fact he's a natural fit for a zone running offense, he may be more of a developmental project, and given offensive line coach Mike Munchak's success with role-specific tackles, he shouldn't be immediately ruled out.

Round 6a - 192nd overall: LB Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA

Zumwalt comes in as an aggressive combo-linebacker sort, but he's coming into the youngest position on the team. With a first round pick (Ryan Shazier) having been selected already, and Lawrence Timmons firmly entreched in his spot, Zumwalt will compete with last year's starter, Vince Williams, 2012 third-round pick Sean Spence and last year's UDFA Terence Garvin, not to mention inside-out linebacker Arthur Moats in what could be the tightest position battle for training camp. He'd be likely to play on special teams only, if he makes the team.

Round 6b - NT Dan McCullers, Tennessee

You may not see him on the field, but if he makes the team, you'll see him on the sideline for sure. The massive McCullers is a project, but considering his size (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) and wingspan (37 inches), there's a future for him in Pittsburgh. Along with Bryant, he could be the most intriguing rookie on this team.

Round 7 - TE Rob Blanchflower, UMass

He can compete to fill a role as a blocking tight end, and has many of those tools pretty well sharpened already. The team saw David Johnson leave via free agency (San Diego), and has a need for a long-term replacement option. He'll compete with veterans David Paulson and Michael Palmer for the team's third tight end spot.