3 Steelers draft picks in the most danger of being cut after training camp

EDGE Quincy Roche

It kills me to put Quincy Roche on this list. I was a big fan of the productive pass rusher during his days at both Temple and Miami. Though he lacks elite size and athletic upside, he’s a savvy pass rusher who can win quickly off the edge with an arsenal of moves that are beyond his years.

For most of the offseason, I would have thought that Roche was an essential lock to make the roster – even as a sixth-round pick this year. However, the Melvin Ingram signing muddies the waters and makes it much harder to predict which depth player will earn the final spot.

Over the past few years, the Steelers have primarily kept just four outside linebackers on their 53-man roster and have promoted players only when an injury would occur. If that is the case again in 2021, then we know that T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Melvin Ingram will make the cut. But who will be the fourth?

Roche is likely to be in a battle with veteran Cassius Marsh for the final edge defender spot, and it’s not going to be handed to the rookie. He’s going to have to earn his keep in 2021.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on these three players during training camp this year. Much of their performance will determine whether or not they will do enough to crack the final 53-man roster after training camp in 2021.