Being a die-hard member of Steeler Nation and the Co-Founder of a sports website, I like to think my knowledge of the Pittsburgh Steelers can go head-to-head with the likes of Bob Labriola and Ed Bouchette. Matter of fact, I think I am a more talented analyst than some of these “experts” concerning my team. Football season seems so far away at this point, but I crave football talk. Particularly, Steelers football talk. In that spirit, I have decided to break down the Steelers projected starters for the 2013 season and grade them. Up first, the offense. Enjoy!

Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger

Grade: A

Ben Roethlisberger is the main reason that a team in the middle of a youth movement with various transitions set to take place can still be considered a serious playoff contender. In 2012, the Steelers were 6-3 in the middle of a four game winning streak, with Ben having his finest season as a pro before his unfortunate injury. Just hitting his prime, there’s no reason a healthy Big Ben can’t emulate that type of success in 2013. Roethlisberger has been a top tier quarterback since he entered the league, and still is. This is an easy A here for a grade. Only a handful of teams have franchise quarterbacks like Big Ben, and he is still the best quarterback in the AFC North.

Runningback: Le’Veon Bell, Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, La’Rod Stephens-Howling, Baron Batch

Grade: C

The Steelers running game was abysmal last season, as they ran for only 1,537 yards in sixteen games. They averaged 3.7 yards a carry. Neither of these statistics is conducive to the balanced offense Todd Haley wants to run. Jonathan Dwyer emerged the second half of the season, and he finished with 623 yards and 4.0 yards a carry. While I think Dwyer is a solid, serviceable back, he is not a feature back at this point. In steps second round draft pick Le’Veon Bell from Michigan State. Bell led the nation in carries last season and averaged five yards a carry. The guy is a physical specimen at 6 foot 1, 244 pounds. He is durable, nimble for his size, and fits the physical running style the Steelers are looking to get back to. While I think Bell will be the opening day starter, I can’t crown him a stud just yet. For this reason, the running back grade is a C until Bell produces on the field. The Steelers do have depth at the position, with Isaac Redman, the speedy La”Rod Stephens-Howling, and Baron Batch. Stephens-Howling is dynamic, the Steelers need to find a way to use him in the offense much like the Saints use Darren Sproles.

Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller, Jerricho Cotchery

Grade: B

I am sure some people will see this and say a B grade is far too high when factoring in the departure of Mike Wallace. Yeah, not so much. Antonio Brown has the speed, hands, and route running skills to be a #1, he just lacks in the size department. The Steelers matched a $2.5 million offer sheet to keep projected #2 Emmanuel Sanders from becoming a New England Patriot. 2013 is crucial for Sanders, as he has shown flashes of great potential. He will be returning to his natural position on the outside, giving the Steelers two speedy, solid options as starters. The #3 spot and the depth at receiver are where it gets tricky. Third round pick Markus Wheaton from Oregon State, much like Le’Veon Bell, should step right in and get a lot of playing time. From his tape, he looks tailor made for the slot. He has been described as a “more polished” Mike Wallace in scouting reports. He can run routes, has good hands, knows how to use his body to get angles on defenders, and has the speed to go deep. He won’t torch the whole defense like Wallace, but his speed is more than adequate. Wheaton has the tools to be an overall good receiver, not just a one trick pony. Throw in reliable tight end Heath Miller, veteran Jerricho Cotchery, and sixth round draft pick Justin Brown, and the Steelers have speed, youth, and depth at receiver. I think Plaxico Burress may be the odd man out here come opening day. I believe he and Justin Brown will be fighting for a roster spot.

Offensive Line: Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Mike Adams, Kelvin Beachum, Ramon Foster, Guy Whimper

Grade: C+

I really, really want to throw a B+ out there for the Steelers offensive line. It was the only area that wasn’t a huge concern on draft day. There is mounting optimism among the members of Steeler Nation that this is the year the youth, years of draft picks, and should be talent on the offensive line finally comes together. 2013 is the year this group gels and plays at a consistently high level all season. Right? You’d think so. But given the offensive line problems the team has had the last four years, I just can’t translate that optimism into a high grade yet. I am playing this cautious here, just like everyone should also play their optimism cautious. There’s plenty of talent in this group, and even some depth for a change. But until David DeCastro and Mike Adams prove they can play at the level of high draft picks, there will be a few concerns. This group is B+ capable, but high expectations have failed before. So I will set the bar low at C+ here but definitely expect them to play like a B+ group.

Kicker: Shaun Suisham

Grade: B

Suisham has been damn near automatic for the Steelers. His accuracy has been fantastic, hopefully he bulked up his leg a bit so he can hit the deeper field goals. No reason to worry here, though. Suisham is as solid as they come at kicker.

Kick Returners: Reggie Dunn, La’Rod Stephens-Howling, Justin Brown

Grade: B+

Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are no longer options to return kickoffs and punts, because they are the starting wide receivers. No big deal, the options the Steelers have here have big play written all over them. Reggie Dunn, an undrafted rookie out of Utah, ran a 4.22 and took four kickoffs to the house in college. Two of them were 100 yard returns. Stephens-Howling is a proven special teams ace and already a lock to actually make the team, so he most likely will be the primary kick returner. Justin Brown also showed a ton of explosiveness returning kicks at Oklahoma. Reggie Dunn has the most potential to be explosive of the three listed, but the question is whether or not he can show he’s capable of producing on offense so his value on a 53 man roster increases. Whatever transpires, the Steelers are in good shape and have options at kick returner.