4 Steelers rookies with the hardest path to the 2021 roster

Tre Norwood

Tre Norwood was a name that not a lot of people expected to hear get drafted. While his five interceptions as a junior is a great laurel to rest his head on, he was also a factor in giving up several big plays on one of the worst defenses in college football. That wasn’t all his fault naturally, but his need for development could make him a longshot to make the active roster for week one.

The issue is, the team seemingly wants to play him as a hybrid slot cornerback and free safety. With the recent raving reports about Shakur Brown playing a large portion of the slot cornerback snaps so far (there is a reason his name isn’t on this list after all), it seems like Norwood will have to carve out a spot as a reserve free safety. Unfortunately for him, Arthur Maulet was signed shortly after the draft, and he would be a more capable free safety than Norwood on paper.

While he could still sneak his way onto the roster, don’t be surprised to see him discarded by the end of the preseason and either be on the practice squad or off the team altogether. Unless he really sticks out and shows some improvements in coverage, Norwood’s odds of making the roster aren’t great. Even the undrafted guys like Lamont Wade and Donovan Stiner could see a push over Norwood due to them being more comfortable as traditional safeties. He could stick if he flashes a little in camp, but of all of the Steelers drafted players Norwood sticks out as the most obvious cut candidate.