In correlation with this week’s episode of the Steelers Fix podcast, Jeremy Betz and I are in the midst of a three-part series, comparing each position on the Steelers team to their divisional foes. This week, we compared the Bengals roster to the Steelers roster. If you have not yet listened, make sure you do so in the player below.

Today, I will go by position and give you my thoughts on whose roster is stronger at the respective position.

Quarterback- Bengals
Joe Burrow’s health concerns me, but I still have to give the edge to Cleveland, as the Steelers still do not know for sure who will be their starter. Burrow may never be what he once was projected to be, but I will ride with them over the Steelers quarterback situation that is currently in flux.

Running Back- Steelers
I believe Chase Brown could very well be the best running back on either of these rosters by the end of this season, but the combination of Harris and Warren could be lethal. Zack Moss is gifted, but he cannot stay healthy for the life of him. Easy choice here.

Wide Receiver- Bengals
I am not the biggest fan of Cincy’s depth, but the combination of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is one of the best 1-2 tandems in the league. Higgins is in a contract year, and Chase wants to prove the doubters wrong after a year with injuries to both himself and his quarterback.

Tight End- Steelers
Most people do not give Pat Freiermuth the credit he deserves, even as a blocker. He is no mauler, but he is a solid positional blocker. Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson provide athleticism to the Cincy offense, but Freiermuth is much more complete a tight end than either one of them.

Offensive Line- Bengals
As much as I would like to pick the Steelers here, there are too many inexperienced pieces on the Steelers line. It will take time to gel, and the Bengals have more proven vets to bring the young guys along. Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown, and Orlando Brown, Jr. should lead a much-improved offensive line compared to what it was the last time we saw Joe Burrow in big-time action.

Defensive Line- Steelers
The Bengals have a ton of bodies along the defensive line, but not much firepower. Only so many guys can make the team, and outside of Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill, there is not too much to get excited about. The youth of Benton and stardom of Heyward put the Steelers over the top.

EDGE Rusher- Steelers
Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard are cute, but no tandem in the NFL can compete with Highsmith and Watt.

Linebacker- Steelers
I love Akeem Davis-Gaither, Germaine Pratt, and Logan Wilson, but Patrick Queen paired with Elandon Roberts, who played phenomenally well down the stretch last season, is even more appealing, especially when throwing the pro-ready Payton Wilson in the mix.

Cornerback- Bengals
This may take a lot of people by surprise, but DJ Turner does not get near enough recognition for how well he played last season. Mike Hilton in the nickel is better than any Steelers corner opposite Joey Porter, Jr. or the nickel in Pittsburgh, and Cam Taylor-Britt is serviceable enough to provide quality snaps on the perimeter. With all that in mind, I take the Bengals in a close one here.

Safety- Steelers
Jeremy Betz disagrees with me here, but I believe Minkah Fitzpatrick reasserts himself as one of the truly elite defenders in football this season, returning to a more free-roaming position. Vonn Bell and Geno Stone are two players who fit the scheme well, but with Dax Hill listed at corner on the roster, I grouped him in with the corners. Thus, I have to take the stardom of Minkah over any mixture the Bengals can come up with.