While the Steelers have started the season on a hot streak, there are a few players who have earned the right to more playing time as the season goes on
The Steelers are off to their best start to a season since 1979, having won their first four games to remain perfect going into week six. While the team has seen some issues arise across the board, the Steelers have been fielding constantly competitive rosters for each of their games so far. Even though the schedule gets tougher from here, the Steelers should still be competitive in each game going forward.
Some early developments have also led to some new faces seeing playing time for the Steelers. While some are rookies who are still finding their way, others are veterans of the roster who are finally finding their way onto the field. There have been quite a few surprisingly good players early in this season, and as the year continues, these players have earned more playing time.
To be clear, earning more playing time doesn’t mean becoming a full-time starter. Simply put, allowing these players to get some more time on the field will further their development as NFL players. As well, it will give the Steelers a better chance to observe these players and try to determine just what their future is with this team. Finally, they could earn more playing time simply because the players ahead of them have been struggling.
No matter the reason, these are the five Steelers who need more playing time going forward.
Kevin Dotson
When the Steelers took Kevin Dotson in the fourth round of the draft, he was seen mostly as a developmental run-blocking guard. Forced into action early due to injury, Dotson has impressed. While his college tape showed a developed, mauling run blocker, Dotson has shown a lot of poise as a complete offensive lineman.
As of now, Dotson has yet to give up a sack. An impressive stat for a rookie, this doesn’t even take into account the fact that he has been tasked with blocking Jurrell Casey, Shelby Harris, Fletcher Cox, and Javon Hargrave. The fact that Dotson has held up so well as a pass blocker despite facing some elite talent bodes well for his future. While he won’t ascend as a starter this year unless of an injury, there is still a way he could get more playing time.
While he has only played one snap here, he came into a lineup as an eligible tight end to block. Typically, the Steelers utilize their swing tackle in this role, but considering that honor was given to Jerald Hawkins out of necessity, there is no reason Dotson shouldn’t get more work in heavy packages. While a little bit bigger, Dotson has shown some decent athleticism out in space, meaning he would probably excel in this role. As well, it would earn him more snaps when the starters are healthy for him to further his depth during his rookie year.
Isaiah Buggs
The Steelers defensive line is one of the best in the league right now, but that doesn’t mean every starter should be playing 80 percent of the snaps. While the Steelers have rotated their starters out, one player not getting enough of an opportunity is second-year lineman Isaiah Buggs. The former Alabama lineman has only played 43 defensive snaps, and while his stats aren’t gaudy, he flashes good hand technique and rush ability.
Given his size, he would be an interesting option to play at nose tackle. That isn’t to say the Steelers should give less playing time to Tyson Alualu, they shouldn’t as he has been one of the best defenders so far this season. Instead, Buggs should be the first lineman off the bench when the Steelers rotate their linemen.
This would mean fewer snaps for Chris Wormley, whom the Steelers acquired via trade this offseason. While he has provided solid depth, he will be a free agent next year and has shown less as a pass rusher than Buggs. Allowing Buggs the first opportunity off the bench will allow the Steelers to see if they have anything in him. As well, his size makes it possible that he could make a more permanent move inside like Alualu as early as next year.
Anthony McFarland
While he has only seen nine total caries so far on the year, rookie Anthony McFarland has flashed some of that game-breaking speed he had at Maryland. While he has yet to break off a long run, the more usage he gets the more likely it will be that he finds the end zone on a play where he can truly utilize his speed. Given his early successes, he is a player that needs to see more snaps in the backfield going forward.
The first place these snaps should come from is Jaylen Samuels. While he hasn’t been on the field much, it makes little sense to have him play out there than one of the more talented backs. While that alone would earn McFarland a few more snaps, it also makes sense for him to come in over James Conner now and again.
While McFarland shouldn’t replace Conner by any means, supplementing him with the speedy rookie will allow him to take less damage as the season goes on. As well, Conner is more than likely in his final year with the Steelers, meaning that both McFarland and Benny Snell will be in the hunt to be the true starter next year. Given his style, McFarland should be given more carries to both rest Conner and show the team that he could be in contention to start next year.
Cameron Sutton
Cameron Sutton has quietly been one of the best cornerbacks on the Steelers roster recently. While not a starter, he provides versatility by being inside and outside capable as well as safety option if worst came to worse. In his four years with the Steelers, he has developed into a capable coverage player. Given the woes that the Steelers are suffering through with their ability to stop opposing passing offenses, it may be time to let Sutton get some more opportunities on this defense.
To this point, he has only seen around 27 percent of the snaps on defense. In those snaps, he has only given up one reception for one yard, showing that he can at least hold his own. How he would be used is the Steelers’ choice, as he can play almost anywhere in this secondary. He could sub in on the outside or the inside and allow Hilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage. If the Steelers want to get creative, they could allow Sutton to play free safety and have Minkah Fitzpatrick play a little closer to the line.
No matter how they do it, Sutton is well-deserving of more playing time. While he shouldn’t see 80 percent of the snaps, he plays well enough to warrant more than the little time he has gotten so far. His versatility means the Steelers could use him in a variety of ways, but they need to find a way to get him on the defense more often moving forward.
Chase Claypool
There is arguably no player on the Steelers that is more deserving of more playing time than Chase Claypool. After putting the league on notice with his four-touchdown performance against the Eagles, the Steelers are suddenly staring a true weapon for their roster in Claypool. His size and athleticism had scouts excited, but his lacking big plays in college made teams think he would be more of a hybrid tight end instead of a true receiver.
Claypool has broken free from that mold, as he has looked better at the NFL level than he did at Notre Dame. Going forward, it would be inexcusable for the Steelers to decrease his playing time in favor of the more established James Washington or Diontae Johnson. Claypool has proven to be a threat in both the deep passing game and as an after the catch playmaker, meaning that he is good to play in almost all situations.
Going forward, Claypool should see the second-most snaps of all of the receivers behind JuJu Smith-Schuster. Beyond just his play, Claypool is an adamant run blocker. This makes him as complete of a receiver as you could want, as he is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball and will stay in and block for his teammates. His dominant early-season play has earned him the right to be the true second receiver for the Steelers offense.
Despite the Steelers’ early season successes, the team still has talented players who are deserving of more playing time. As the season progresses, it only makes sense for the team to allow these developing talents more of an opportunity to play on the field. Going forward, these five players have earned the right to see the starting field more often.