5 best-case scenarios for Steelers 2021 training camp

Steelers undrafted rookies shine

Normally a weaker element of their draft, the Steelers were actually rather aggressive in targeting some of their undrafted free agents this offseason. Names like Shakur Brown and Donovan Stiner easily could have been drafted, while others like Isaiah McKoy and Mark Gilbert likely would have gone earlier had their athletic testing and injury history not been so questionable. Overall, the eight undrafted rookies are an atypically strong group.

All of that to say, most of these guys won’t make the team. At most, you might see two names stick to the active roster by the time the roster is cut down given just how hard it is as an undrafted rookie to stick initially to a team. That said, the practice squad will likely be home to a few of these players as the Steelers attempt to develop them for a year before giving them another crack at the roster.

There isn’t a lot to dislike about this group, and the odds that at least one of them is on the opening day 53-man roster is pretty good. Camp should be a time for all of these players to thrive, and preseason should provide them with ample opportunity to display the skills that brought them to the league. Again, not everyone will make this roster, but seeing the Steelers get rewarded for being aggressive with their undrafted rookies would be a nice boost going forward.