4 Steelers rookies with the hardest path to the 2021 roster
By Andrew Falce
The Steelers added a total of 17 rookies to the roster after the draft and undrafted free agent signings, but these four rookies may have a surprisingly difficult time making the roster.
Rookies are always the talk of the town leading up to, and after, the draft. There is a natural element of excitement in a rookie, as they are oozing with potential after finding their way to their respective teams. While the Steelers class has plenty of potential stars in it, everyone won’t end up making the roster, unfortunately.
What makes a Steelers rookie have bad roster odds?
Naturally, this list is only going to detail late-round and undrafted rookies for the team. Typically, a fourth-round pick or better is safe, and while a fifth-round pick is not a lock to make the team, Isaiahh Loudermilk was acquired in a trade-up, essentially securing his position on the roster. As well, positional depth and value will affect this list.
While the odds are long for any undrafted player to make the roster outright, some are playing at naturally thinner positions meaning their path to the roster is more prevalent. With all of that said, here are the four Steelers rookies’ tough paths to make the roster.
Rico Bussey Jr.
Starting off the list, Rico Bussey Jr. was one of the more underwhelming options in the teams’ undrafted free agent pool this year. While he found success, more so at North Texas than at Hawaii, he never had a defining trait that made him an elite college player. Used more as a vertical threat, Bussey doesn’t have the athleticism to be a traditional big-play threat.
Simply put, he doesn’t stick out as a realistic player to make this roster in any capacity. Their other undrafted receiver (more on him soon) has a more unique skill set while some of the added futures free agents the team signed this offseason at least have a niche. Bussey will really have to make himself uncuttable if he wants to make this team. Receiver is a deep room, and his lack of a defining traits makes it unlikely that he finds his way onto the roster.