5 Steelers who will play surprisingly well during 2021 season

With training camp heating up, these five Steelers appear as though they could be surprises for the team in 2021.

Nothing is better than when a player who has played below a certain level to beat the odds and have a good season. The Pittsburgh Steelers had the ultimate case of this in recent years, as Bud Dupree went from an average edge rusher into one of the league’s best all-around players there. Finding the right fit, properly developing, and just simply getting access to playing time can allow a player to surprise the team. Here are the five Steelers that could surprise the team with solid play in 2021.

Steelers Zach Gentry

I’ll be honest when I say that I mostly wrote Zach Gentry off heading into this training camp. The third-year tight end had seemingly never developed properly and was a below-average third string option. When the depth chart was healthy last year, the team opted to not dress Gentry due to his limitations as a player. He was seen as a roster long-shot entering camp despite the lack of other options set to compete at tight end.

By all reports though, Gentry is having a stellar start to camp. While not a dynamic player, he has finally taken a step forward in terms of his development as a receiver. He is using his impressive frame to his advantage in drills and becoming a regular target for the quarterbacks to throw to. He still isn’t a lock to make the team, but as of now, he has become the early favorite to secure the third tight end spot. If he does, he could have an impact as a reserve for the Steelers in 2021.

Steelers Marcus Allen

Another name that was seemingly fighting for a roster spot at the beginning of training camp, the retirement of Vince Williams has opened the door for the obvious off-ball linebackers to make the team. This means the former safety-turned linebacker last season Marcus Allen should make the team if everything goes according to plan.

While his camp has been rather silent so far, his workout videos make it seem like he has put on some serious size. Add in the fact that he has had an entire season and offseason to focus on his shift from safety to linebacker. He saw some playing time last year in that role, and while he was far from perfect, he didn’t look out of place. If he can focus on some of the fundamentals this season, he could see an expanded role.

For starters, the dime linebacker position is open on the roster right now, and he could be a natural fit there. As well, given his athleticism, he could take some snaps away from Robert Spillane in passing downs if he struggles as a full-time starter. No matter what happens, Spillane should be an improved player in 2021 as he has had plenty of time to make the position switch to linebacker. Expect to see a better result on the field because of it in 2021.