Steelers OT Zach Banner mentions two standout players at training camp

In a recent interview with Zach Banner, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle shares his thoughts on two standout players at training camp this year.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Steelers offensive tackle, Zach Banner. Banner is entering his third year in the league and is currently in a jousting match with former third-round draft choice, Ckukwuma Okorafor, to become Pittsburgh’s starter at right tackle this year.

During the interview, we touched on a number of topics including his thoughts on a Ben Roethlisberger, his chances of locking down a starting role, and his goals in 2020. Banner also shared his training camp standouts on both sides of the ball.

Zach Banner’s camp standout on offense

When asked about which offensive player has stood out the most in camp so far to him, Banner didn’t waste any time saying that it was Anthony McFarland. The rookie running back was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but it didn’t take long for him to be noticed.

Though Banner wouldn’t come out and say that McFarland has a different gear than the other running backs on the team, based on our conversation, it’s clear that he’s impressed by the speed of McFarland in the early going.

At the NFL Combine, McFarland impressed with a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. Though he played through injuries as a redshirt sophomore last season at Maryland, McFarland was lightening as a freshman – averaging an eye-popping 7.9 yards per carry and 10.4 yards per reception, according to Sports Reference. He even shredded some of the nation’s top defenses like Ohio State. Against the Buckeyes in 2018, McFarland blazed for 298 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 14.2 yards per carry.

Zach Banner’s praises T.J. Watt on defense

On the defensive side of the ball, it’s not a big surprise which player Banner chose to highlight for his performance at training camp. When asked which player stood out on the defensive side of the ball, his response was “obviously T.J.” He went on to say that T.J. Watt is “definitely one of the most crafty defensive ends I’ve ever played against.”

Banner clearly knows a thing or two about lining up against Watt. As a right tackle on the Steelers for the past two years, he’s been assigned the difficult task of keeping Watt out of the backfield. This year, he’s been matched up against Watt more than ever, as Banner is looking to secure the starting right tackle job.

While he’s been fortunate to only have to face the All-Pro edge defender in practice, Banner understands that if he can stop T.J. Watt from getting after the quarterback, he can stop anybody.

We will find out next week if Zach Banner will be named the starting right tackle ahead of the Steelers Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants. Let’s hope Pittsburgh’s young players continue to develop as we progress into the 2020 season.