3 Steelers draft picks in the most danger of being cut after training camp
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafting nine players this offseason, but these three are not guaranteed to make the final roster in 2021.
Rarely does it ever work out that each draft pick makes the roster for an NFL team in their rookie season. This happened for the Steelers in 2020. However, they had just 6 selections in the NFL Draft. This year, training camp and preseason are going to be even more interesting for their rookie class.
With 9 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, it’s highly unlikely that every one of them makes the final 53-man roster for the Steelers this year – even with as much roster turnover, Pittsburgh experienced this offseason. Players drafted earlier like Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, and Kendrick Green are clearly all safe, and the team isn’t going to let them go for any reason before the start of their rookie years.
Unfortunately, a roster spot won’t be reserved for all of them and completion could cause them to land on the practice squad or even find a new team in 2021. Here are three Steelers draft picks who are in the most danger of being cut following training camp:
Steelers DB/S Tre Norwood
Even with Pittsburgh’s lack of depth in the secondary, making the roster isn’t going to be easy for Tre Norwood. This is partially because he isn’t going to have one defined role with the team. Norwood played both cornerback and safety for Oklahoma, but the Steelers have him listed as a safety on the team’s official website.
While some may think that his versatility may help him, it could spread him too thin – especially because he’s competing against other players who have more experience at one position or the other. As a 7th round draft choice, Norwood’s job is far from secure, and he could be bumped off the roster entirely if the Steelers decide to add a safety in free agency (which is starting to sound like a real possibility).
There is a small level of optimism that the late-round defensive back could make the final cut, but he’s going to have to impress early in training camp.