6 young Steelers you have to keep an eye on in training camp

Steelers James Pierre

While most of these names have been mentioned in a positive light so far, no name has gained more traction than James Pierre. The former undrafted corner out of Florida Atlantic shockingly made the team last year before eventually jumping Justin Layne on the depth chart. He followed that up with a strong OTA showing, and he currently is in the driver’s seat to be the starting outside cornerback while Cameron Sutton would shift inside.

He is on the right path so far, but he needs to continue making big plays in practice and during the preseason. That said, his impressive camp play was the reason he made the Steelers outright last season, so it should be expected that he performs well there this season. If he can continue to find success, he will continue to be one of the most anticipated Steelers to watch in camp and likely cement himself as a starter on this defense.

With so much riding on him, it will be vital to keep an eye on his progress during camp. Remember, he was an undrafted rookie last season, so don’t expect him to come out and dominate right away. Instead, good solid play and a knack to be a playmaker (something he has shown consistently in camp) will be more than enough to earn him a starting job. Pierre is on the rise right now, and everyone must be keeping an eye on him in training camp.

While the Steelers favor veterans over young players, these six youthful players are deserving of the spotlight in camp. Each of them has a great shot at making the roster (assuming they aren’t guaranteed it at this point) and some could even start. Be sure to keep an eye on their progress in camp as it could have major implications for gameday.