3 close player battles Steelers could decide after Panthers game

Steelers backup NT: Isaiah Buggs vs Carlos Davis

This has been one of the toughest battles to call since the beginning of training camp, and I just don’t see a path for both players to make the team.

Isaiah Buggs and Carlos Davis are both former late-round draft choices by the Steelers who show some promise along the interior defensive line. Unfortunately for them, the team brought back both Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley, and they spent a future draft choice to move back into the draft and grab Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Buggs and Davis are both vying for snaps as the backup nose tackle, and there really isn’t a need to keep both of them on the roster. Davis perhaps offers more intrigue with his athletic traits and ability to be on the field on special teams.

So far, this race has been very close. It will be very interesting to see if one of these two players can do enough to separate themselves in the final preseason game against the Panthers.

There will be other battles to watch during the final preseason game, but these three could have big implications on the Steelers in 2021. I’m very interested to see if their final performances could change their status heading into the regular season.