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Pittsburgh Steelers need revamped defense to reach potential in 2017

The Steelers will be counting on contributions from young defenders like Javon Hargrave. Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire

The Pittsburgh Steelers open training camp on July 27 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Here's a closer look at the Steelers' camp:

Top storyline: The return of wide receiver Martavis Bryant from a one-year suspension (for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy) has been an offseason storyline -- along with the resulting potential for a Steelers offensive explosion. During training camp, eyes should be fixed on the Steelers' years-in-the-making defensive rebuild. The defensive backfield will feature four Day 1 or Day 2 draft picks from the past three years, plus a bevy of veterans. Will this group consistently thwart opponents in 11-man settings? Are young edge rushers ready to take 39-year-old James Harrison's spot? Even if they can't yet, they should be eager to push him rather than defer to him. Will the defensive line be a dominant force with threesome Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargrave and Stephon Tuitt? Camp should provide or at least foreshadow a few answers.

QB depth chart: After re-signing on a two-year, $4.4-million deal, veteran Landry Jones has the inside track on the No. 2 job behind Ben Roethlisberger. Rookie Josh Dobbs, who was uneven in offseason workouts but showed big-play promise, probably will be the No. 3 quarterback in camp but will get plenty of preseason game reps.

Bubble watch: Wide receiver Sammie Coates is one of several wide receivers with work to do in training camp if he wishes to land a spot on the final roster. The receivers probably have four locks -- Antonio Brown, Bryant, Eli Rogers and JuJu Smith-Schuster -- leaving five capable receivers fighting for two or maybe three spots. Coates needs to regain his deep-threat ability after injuries affected his confidence. But he's a core special-teamer and a prime athlete, which bodes well for his future prospects.

That rookie could start: Outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Yes, Harrison and Bud Dupree are the clear-cut favorites to start. But expect Watt to prove that he can start if necessary. He'll be a factor in the Steelers' five-man rotation, a group that also includes Arthur Moats and Anthony Chickillo. Watt's quick first step and ability to limit mistakes will show up.

No doubt at tight end: This is the first camp where third-year playmaker Jesse James will be the undisputed starter. Expect him to seize the opportunity. James will never have the speed to stretch the field vertically, but he has steady hands and is a good leaper for end zone touch passes. He can also handle the Steelers' blocking schemes in traditional or three-receiver sets.

Money tree: Six-foot-9 left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is one of the Steelers' biggest players and could be one of the richest by the start of training camp, an artificial deadline of sorts for the player and team in contract talks. Villanueva isn't under contract and can't participate in camp without a deal. Villanueva and Tuitt are the players to watch on the contract front in late July and August.

For daily updates at camp, check out the Pittsburgh Steelers' clubhouse page.