With the first few days of training camp out of the way, here are some early winners and losers from the Steelers.
Training camp has officially opened for the Steelers, and while it is still extremely early in the process, there have already been some clear standouts and duds. While all of that will change as there is still plenty of time to change initial impressions, these players have clearly stood out.
Here are the six early winners and losers from the Steelers training camp.
Steelers loser #1
There have been a lot of doubts about the capability of the Steelers running back room outside of Najee Harris. This offense is set to flow through their running game, yet there is no capable option to play outside of Harris. If he were to miss any time, this team would be in trouble. Ideally, camp would have led to some sort of a standout at the position.
Instead, it has been a very quiet beginning of camp for this unit. Sure, you are getting your usual out of the expected players, but that won’t be enough if Harris were to be injured. The biggest standout has been recently added Jeremy McNichols, but even then, he isn’t exactly running away from the competition.
Someone needs to step up for this depth chart. While expecting Harris to be the bell-cow is fine, you need to have a capable backup plan. Unless someone really begins to show out, that backup plan isn’t likely on the roster. The Steelers need a backup running back to make some progress and soon.
Steelers winner #1
A name I wasn’t expecting to hear a lot about in camp was Arthur Maulet. Signed last year, he was a mediocre slot cornerback who was decent at playing the run but not much else. While the team did re-sign him in the offseason, the deal wasn’t anything significant. Contractually, his roster spot is far from safe.
His odds seemed to look even worse after the offseason wrapped up. With all of the free agents at the position added, it looked like Cameron Sutton was set to take on more of a role in the slot. Damontae Kazee was also signed after the draft, and he can kick in the slot if needed. On top of this, Tre Norwood is still on the roster and looking to expand his role.
This made Maulet seem like a long shot, but he has been running with the starters and looking decent while doing it. While Maulet has his limitations in coverage, the Steelers like a slot cornerback that can play the run. Maulet has earned some additional looks because of that ability. Time will tell if he sticks there once the season starts, but the beginning of camp has been kind to Maulet so far.
Steelers loser #2
Sticking around in the cornerback room, the combination of James Pierre and Justin Layne has been lacking so far. While neither are set to be starters, either one could feasibly be the fourth cornerback on the depth chart and see significant playing time because of it. Neither has looked like they have made much improvement though.
Pierre has been the better of the two, but he doesn’t look sharp. The past two camps were extremely kind to the former undrafted free agent as he flashed constantly. This camp has lacked that so far. Layne has been far worse. He has dropped some interceptions and been out of position on a few plays. For a player that has failed to develop a role defensively, this isn’t good news.
They have some competition being them biting at their heels. Both undrafted rookie cornerbacks have made some plays and have looked promising. Mix that in with the bad quarterback play as a whole and you would hope to see either Layne or Pierre showing up some more. It has been a slow spot for both players that are far from locks to make the roster.
Steelers winner #2
While he gets an unfair amount of hate from the team and its fans, Mason Rudolph has quickly separated himself from the other quarterbacks in camp. While some of that should be expected (he is the only veteran with experience in this offense), most people had already written him off. Instead, he has looked the part in an otherwise mediocre quarterback room.
Now to be fair, Rudolph hasn’t looked like he has made some elite changes to his game. Instead, he has been a conservative option that has excelled at making the obvious plays work. Safety isn’t always great with a quarterback, but with his competition being so streaky, it has made him look like the best of the group.
That all said, Rudolph still has long odds of starting for this team. That said, there is a far better chance of him sticking around as a backup and potentially even the number two quarterback. While the rest of the quarterback room should be improving, Rudolph has taken an early lead amongst the group in thanks to his consistency.
Steelers loser #3
While it is still extremely early in the process, Kenny Pickett has not looked good thus far in camp. While a rookie quarterback struggling isn’t surprising, there was hope Pickett would be a different case. The Steelers took him despite his upside not being as high as others because he was perceived as pro-ready. To this point, he hasn’t looked the part.
There hasn’t been a lot of good to come out about Pickett so far. His accuracy, one of his calling cards as a prospect, has been average at best. His pocket presence has been bad, and his decision-making has been worse. While no quarterback in the room is lighting it up, Pickett has looked like the clear worst prospect so far.
While the first few practices will in no way determine his career as a pro, it hasn’t been a strong start for the Steelers new investment. Ideally, he will find his footing and get back on track. That said, it seems like Pickett may need more time than many expected him to need. Don’t be surprised to see him on the bench early this season.
Steelers winner #3
Easily the biggest winner out of camp so far, George Pickens has looked like a man amongst boys. He hasn’t just been the best rookie on the field (which is saying something since DeMarvin Leal and Calvin Austin have both been great), but he has arguably been the most dominant offensive player.
While Pickens was praised when he was selected due to his potential, it is surprising to see him excelling already in camp. Sure, had he been healthy last season he would have been a far earlier pick, but even with that ability, he is a raw football player that hasn’t been able to play much. Many expected him to need some time to get up to speed before he could be counted on for the team.
Flash forward to now and there is no player generating more buzz than Pickens. He has beaten cornerbacks down the field, displayed impressive body control, and has made some incredible grabs. He has seemingly cemented himself as the third receiver on this team, and there is a chance he is an impact player from day one. Pickens was a good pick at the time, but now it seems like the Steelers may have gotten one of the best players in the draft late in the second round.
While it has been extremely early in camp, the Steelers have already gotten quite a bit of information about their roster. While there is still plenty of time for things to change, these players have made their mark in either a good or bad way.