While the Steelers 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns has yet to take the field in a Steelers uniform, their 2016 third round pick Javon Hargrave has taken every opportunity on the field to prove that he needs to be a starter and get significant snaps as a rookie. Daniel McCullers, who surprisingly joined Burns on the inactive list in the Steelers third preseason game more than likely lost his job on Friday night.

Entering training camp it would not be in the Pittsburgh Steelers reputation to name a third-round pick from an FCS school as a starter day one. Therefore the nod went to McCullers, a sixth-round pick, but a player entering year three. However, McCullers only played 13 snaps in 12 games last season, so the job was not etched in stone in any way.

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In the first two preseason games, it was McCullers getting the repetitions with the starters, but he did not necessarily do anything to warrant a starting nod. He has shown the same play that warranted being in a reserve role.

Hargrave, on the other hand, had flashed more on tape in his first two games. His biggest strength could be his footwork which leads to strong agility and mobility for a player his size. Combined with his size, and ability to use his lower half to create leverage makes him essentially a dual-threat defensive lineman.

In the third preseason game it could be speculated that the Steelers sat McCullers to get an extensive look at Hargrave in a role getting primary snaps, and once again he showed well. He has dropped into coverage as a nose tackle, taken on double teams, and has chased down running backs past the line of scrimmage.

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In the nickel, Hargrave will join Ricardo Mathews to spell Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward this season. However, Hargrave is showing he deserves more than that. He should be on the field next to Tuitt and Heyward in the base defense and serve as a dual threat who can chase the quarterback and take on blockers. There is almost no doubt that Hargrave should start the season as the starting nose tackle.