Steelers roster: 3 late-round rookies are locks to make the team in 2021

Steelers EDGE Quincy Roche

Though Quincy Roche was a 6th round draft choice, I would still consider him a lock to make the roster – possibly barring a significant free-agent signing this year. As it stands, I would have to assume that Roche is at worst 4th on the depth chart at outside linebacker at the moment, and I can’t imagine any of the practice squad-level players leapfrogging him in the pecking order.

Many thought that Roche could have gone as high as the third round in the 2021 NFL Draft. Though the Miami product was the third edge rusher from his team to be drafted and was often overshadowed by bigger more athletic pass rushers at times, he was the most productive of the group in his college career – garnering 54 tackles for a loss and 30.5 sacks between his time at Miami and Temple, according to Sports Reference.

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are the clear and obvious starters heading into training camp. Outside of them, the door is wide open for Roche to climb even higher. His only real competition at the moment is long-time veteran, Cassius Marsh. For the most part, Marsh has been just a reserve player in the NFL, and he struggled in limited action last year for the team.

Unless a big-time name is brought in at the outside linebacker position, I would consider Quincy Roche a roster lock for the Steelers, despite the fact that he was just a 6th-round draft pick.