4 Steelers that could be surprisingly cut after training camp

Steelers Justin Layne

To say that I have low expectations for Justin Layne this season is an understatement. Despite the team having their depth chart at cornerback shredded this offseason, Layne is far from a lock to make the team. The former third-round pick was leapfrogged by then undrafted rookie James Pierre last year, and now he is resting on the laurels of his skills as a special teamer in order to make this roster.

While special teams is important, the team is flush with players that can make an impact there. That doesn’t mean the team will cut Layne, but if they did, they could easily replace him in that phase. As for his defensive skills, his coverage is below average, and his play recognition is mediocre. He came into the league as a raw corner granted, but he hasn’t shown anything over his first two seasons to indicate he is improving.

With the starters at the position seemingly set heading into training camp, Layne will be battling with a slew of undrafted players for one of the last two to three roster spots. He has a slight advantage given the Steelers’ sizable investment in him, but his lackluster play and legal troubles make him far from a lock at this point. If his struggles continue and some of the other depth options step up more, Layne will likely be out the door.