The Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking for players to make a name for themselves as training camp becomes closer.
Training camp is always an exciting time for Steelers Nation as football is back in the world. Unfortunately, the team was not permitted a return to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, so they will be going back to Heinz field instead. This was a letdown to many fans that enjoy the Latrobe experience.
It will also be another year that Latrobe will struggle financially as they count on the revenue they get from the crowds training camp brings. The good news from this is some practices will be open to fans for free as long as they go and get free tickets online. Not every practice will be open to the fans so go and check before you make the plan to see the black and gold practice in person. Plan before you decide what day you are going and enjoy the time watching football in person.
This roster will be an interesting one to watch unfold throughout the pre-season process. The team starts their pre-season schedule with the Hall of Fame Game, which is an extra week before every other team starts their matchups. Players fighting for a roster spot are going to need to impress these coaches to make the team out of camp.
Many players are inexperienced and young so there are many different spots up for grabs this time around. Since all of the turnovers this past offseason, many holes need to be filled before the regular season games begin and this training camp will help set that tone. This completely new team will try to find their answers internally first before they might have to look at outside options to improve the squad.
Offense (24)
Quarterbacks (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, and Dwayne Haskins
This position seems fairly straight forward with the only real competition being between Haskins and Josh Dobbs for the third spot on the roster. Don’t count out Dobbs yet but it is Haskins spot to lose heading into camp.
Running/Full Backs (4): Najee Harris, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., and Derek Watt
This is another straightforward roster expectation for this group. The only outlier that could change this is Kalen Ballage if he can show consistent special teams ability, then he might have a real shot at making the roster.
Wide Receivers (5): Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud
This group stays intact from last year and it has some quality depth to it. All of these players could be starters on other NFL teams and they will be in store for another solid season in 2021.
Tight Ends (3): Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth, and Kevin Rader
The first two in this group are set but the third spot is completely open to anyone that stands out among the rest. It seems likely that this player will have to show something on special teams and in the blocking department to stand out from the competition and make this roster. Rumors have been out there that the Steelers like Rader heading into camp for that last position spot but that could always change.
Offensive Line (9): Chuks Okorafor, Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, B.J. Finney, Kendrick Green, Joe Haeg, Trai Turner, Zach Banner, and Rashaad Coward
The offensive line seems like it could have some movement for the last one or two players that make this squad but some stand out more than others. The players that have starting experience in the NFL will be the odds on favorites to make the team like Haeg and Coward but some other players could make a push like J.C. Hassenauer.
Defense (26)
Defensive Line (6); Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isiah Loudermilk, and Henry Mondeaux
This group has been one of the most dominant as a unit when compared to the other 31 in the league. Loudermilk will make the team and that last spot is open for competition. Mondeaux seems like a favorite since he had some playing time last season but there is a battle between about three or four players.
Outside Linebacker (5): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Quincy Roche, Cassius Marsh, and outside free agent/trade player
Normally the team sticks with just four players at this position but with the lack of depth, the Steelers might have to go quantity over quality. It just seems like they’re primed for adding a veteran option after final cuts come through or via trade. This does not seem to be a finished product at this position.
Inside Linebacker (5): Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Vince Williams, Buddy Johnson, and Marcus Allen
This group seems like they will be set even when training camp starts up. The only question is where these players will fall in their roles and on the depth chart when the pre-season concludes.
Cornerback (6): Joe Haden, Cam Sutton, James Pierre, Justin Layne, outside free agent/trade option, and Shakur Brown
Pittsburgh keeps a good number of cornerbacks here as the group is in flux. There has been a lot of turnover in the secondary since the end of last season. An outside veteran option still seems like a good choice for this team instead of holding onto someone that doesn’t provide much with an undrafted free agent.
Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew, and Antoine Brooks Jr.
Tre Norwood failed to make this 53 man roster but he would come back on the practice squad. He is a swiss-army-knife that could be useful down the line but that is a project player. The others in the depth department for this position will have to show flexibility and special teams prowess.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1): Chris Boswell
Boswell is self-explanatory. He is still one of the best kickers in the NFL after that one fluke season where it seemed like he couldn’t make normal kicks. He should be here for a while longer but his injuries of recent should be marked down as a potential future concern. It might not affect him now but it might in the coming seasons.
Punter (1): Presley Harvin III
Harvin was drafted so he will have to struggle to not make the Steelers 53 man roster. Jordan Berry will be there for the competition and do not count him out as the team has tried to replace him before only for Berry to stay onboard. Harvin just seems like a different type of player that can make special teams fun when he is called upon. The guy is something the punter position has never seen before. He should be able to boom the ball down the field, cover kicks, and do some fake punt plays when necessary.
Long Snapper (1): Kameron Canaday
Canaday is coming off a Pro Bowl season and that normally doesn’t mean much nowadays. He can snap the ball well and give the punter and kicker their best opportunity to make their kicks on time. Not much competition for this player to go up against in camp so he will be the starting long snapper when the actual season begins.
The Steelers have a long way to go before making any final decisions. This will be a very important training camp for final decisions for the 53 man roster.