The Steelers have a couple of unknown players entering their offseason program who have a chance to become a roster sleeper
With the Steelers major offseason acquisitions done with, the 90-man roster appears to be set. Looking over the roster, there are the obvious starters and backups who make up the majority of the in-season roster. There are typically about 5-8 spots that are up for grabs, where a relatively unknown player or UDFA has a chance to shine and find their way onto the active roster.
Take Fred Johnson and Tuzar Skipper last year: both players shined in the preseason as UDFAs and ended up on the Steelers active roster (although both were eventually cut). Even more prominent was Mike Hilton, a futures player in 2017 who was a stud during the offseason. He made the roster that year and went on to play in every game as well as starting four of them.
While every player doesn’t follow this formula, it is imperative to find guys like this to fill your backend roster out. Looking at this year, the Steelers are in their usual position: a few roster spots at various positions could be filled by an unknown player like this.
These players have everything working against them though, but through talent and pure grit, they transcend their status as a “camp body” and become valuable members of the roster. Looking over the team as a whole, there are quite a few players who seem like viable candidates to make the roster assuming their talent holds up during training camp. These five players all show the talent and potential to make a push for an active roster spot.
Alexander Myres
While the Steelers 2019 UDFA class had some hits, it was Alexander Myres who received one of the largest signing bonuses out of the group. Based on that, the Steelers saw a lot of potential in him. It isn’t hard to see why, as he has decent size and a good skill set to play the slot CB position in the NFL. As well, he was noted as being a quality special team
That said, an illness struck him early and he was waived, seemingly ending his time with the Steelers. Yet, he returned later on and was signed to the practice squad before the season began. This is an atypical thing for a UDFA like Myres, as once the team moves on from you (at least by their choice), that’s it.
The fact Myers was brought back is a good sign for him, but he’ll need more than just above average interest from the team to make it on the roster. His strength is his special teams’ ability though, and that will be key from anyone looking to make the backend of the roster. If he can shine there, he has the inside track at the last DB spot on the depth chart.
Cavon Walker
While the XFL was a short-lived league, there was a large group of players added to 90-man rosters once it folded. The Steelers played their part, adding several new faces to the backend of their roster. Most notably may have been DT Cavon Walker who was the sack leader in the XFL when the league folded.
Looking over his college days, the fact he was as dominant in the XFL is a mild surprise, as his time in Maryland never took off and had barely contributed at the NFL level. He showed a surprising amount of ability on the inside though, and he at the very least adds an able body to the NT group, an extremely thin position for the Steelers.
Minus his lack of NFL experience, his size is the biggest issue. While 6’2 is a great height for an NT, his 278-pound listed weight is closer to an OLB in the Steelers system. He will need to add around 20 pounds to his frame to maximize his size on the inside, as he is too small and will get bullied on the line if he doesn’t.
That said pass-rushing gets you paid, and that was arguably the strongest aspect of his game in the XFL. He’ll be in a fight with Daniel McCullers and the other NT options in camp for what could be only one spot on the roster. There is a very real chance he could have a dominant camp but still end up being cut. While being a camp sleeper typically means you make the roster, with the new practice squad rules, Walker would qualify. While he may start on the practice squad, he could bounce up and down and hopefully supplement or take over for McCullers sooner than later.
Saeed Blacknall
The Steelers have invested heavily in the WR position over the past few years, and it has made their top four options all incredibly strong. The last one or two spots on the roster though are wide open. Thus, steps in Saeed Blacknall, another XFL signee, and a true deep threat on the roster.
Blacknall may seem like a fodder type of player because his stats have never been good (he has never recorded more than 347 receiving yards in a season), but what he does have is speed. During his college career, he averaged an immense 19.6 ypc, and during his brief stint in the XFL, he was the typical deep threat on the team. While the Steelers have a complete WR room, they are still lacking a true deep threat with legitimate speed, and Blacknall could be that option for them.
As well, given his size, he makes sense as a gunner similar to Johnny Holton last year. It is realistic to think he could carve out a role there due to his athleticism. If he can be a constant force on coverage units, he should have the inside track on one of the last WR spots on the team. While offense wouldn’t be his main forte, the occasional deep shot could pay dividends as well.
Josiah Coatney
While the Steelers had a solid offseason on paper, they failed to add a good NT to compete with the now incumbent McCullers. While the Steelers did draft Carlos Davis in the 7th round, UDFA Josiah Coatney seems like a more complete player as an NT. While Davis flashed a lot on tape, he also seemingly disappeared just as much. With Coatney, you are getting a similar player every time he is on the field.
While not a dominant pass rusher, Coatney has some inside skill to get after the QB and is a proven run defender. His ceiling isn’t huge, as he will never be more than a run-stuffer with some small upside as a pass rusher. That said, I see a little Steve McLendon in his game, an all-around NT who would be a solid starter down the road.
Like Walker, he still has a hill to climb to make the roster. His rookie year may be best spent on going on and off of the practice squad as a rotational player. That said, if he can find a way to take over for McCullers at some point, he seems like a better player on the inside. Only time will tell, but Coatney should already be a camp favorite.
Trajan Bandy
The Steelers UDFA with the most hype seems to be Trajan Bandy, a slot CB hopeful out of Miami. There is a good reason for this, as Bandy plays like a big dog even though he is a little undersized. The early comps have been to current Steelers Mike Hilton, as both are feisty and physical slot CB options.
On his tape, Bandy has some limitations in coverage but makes up for it by never giving up and being the hardest hitter in the secondary. He isn’t afraid to stick his nose in the run game and wrap up larger players. Likewise, with one opening on the roster due to the departure of Artie Burns, Bandy has a clear path to make the roster
Where his fit lines up early on is as a replacement for Hilton, who is scheduled to be a free agent next year along with another slot option, Cameron Sutton. Only one of them is likely to be brought back, and considering Sutton is more of a coverage option, Bandy can be penciled in as Hilton’s replacement due to their similarities. His hard-hitting physical nature should make him an early camp favorite though.
Every camp has a group of unknown players who impress in both practice and in games. This year should be no different for the Steelers, as a couple of the names floating around have a shot at impressing and securing a roster spot. No matter where their career may take them, these five players present the most upside in camp this year.