Pittsburgh Steelers: Players to watch at training camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers start training camp, and these player are looking to answer the questions surrounding them before September.

Training camp is here! Training camp is here! Steelers fans, who’s ready for some football? You can probably tell this is my favorite time of the year and training camp is the start of the football season. The first step in this process of building a true Super Bowl contender is coming together in July and working to build that team chemistry. This year and every year new players show up via free agency, NFL draft and undrafted free agents (UFDA) are invited to camp to make a name for themselves or try to make the team.

There are many players Steeler fans should be excited to see in training camp when they show up  in Latrobe. There are also a few questions that we should be thinking.

Can any of the new players immediately step into a role and contribute to our team? Can they make a difference THIS year? What players should we want to watch during training camp that could make a difference year 1? I have a list of players (and one whole position) to keep an eye on. I also added some questions that I will be wondering about for every player.

Mason Rudolph

Can he beat out Landry Jones for the backup QB position and does this push Joshua Dobbs off the roster or to the practice squad? Mason Rudolph has a similar build and playing style as Big Ben. He has a penchant for down the field throws and amazingly WE DRAFTED HIS WR from Oklahoma State that he primarily threw those bomb too!

James Washington

Can he take over the number 3 WR spot left vacant with the Martavis Bryant trade? Will he be more consistent than Bryand and contributeT

Tyler Matakevich

Can he offer more than just depth or could he be the next Larry Foote or line backer sleeper for the Steelers?

Jon Bostic

Can he take over the starter position or just be a rotational LB?

James Conner

Does this year mean the beginning of a bigger role for the backup or is he the heir apparent to Le’Veon Bell? Can we see this guy on the field more or should we?

The new safeties

Morgan Burnett, Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen. How will they play together in 2 deep sets if both Allen and Edmunds are good in the box hitters but not great in coverage?  I assume that only one will be on the field maybe paired with Burnett or Sean Davis in those situations?

Jaylon Samuels

How will he be used and will he be more than just a hybrid player? Can he be an explosive and weapon or just a jack of all trades but master of none?

These are just some of the many questions that need to be answered and some of the players that we should be paying attention to during training camp plus the preseason games. I really like the additions the Steelers made this offseason to address the problems faced last year and now is the time to get those wrinkles worked out. The players I have listed here are just a tip of the iceberg as we also have a new offensive coordinator as the QB coach Randy Fincher got promoted. Its an exciting time for football and Steeler fans alike.