The Pittsburgh Steelers' final training camp practice open to the public was cut short due to rain. Now there are just two preseason games remaining before the coaching staff is forced to cut their 90-man roster down to 53-players... and three long-shot players are already making things challenging.
The Steelers have had most of their roster figured out since early in training camp, but a few depth options are pushing higher investments for roster spots. These players have been notable throughout training camp and didn't hurt their cause in Pittsburgh's first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
It's unclear whether any of these three will ultimately make the final 53-man roster, but they will certainly give the Steelers' coaching staff much to think about before roster cutdowns.
These three long-shot Pittsburgh Steelers proved they have a shot to make the team
Lew Nichols, RB
While not technically an undrafted free agent, Lew Nichols was the 235th overall pick of the Green Bay Packers in the seventh Round of the 2023 NFL Draft. But considering the Pittsburgh Steelers did not draft him, and the fact that he's never taken an offensive snap since entering the league three years ago, Nichols might have an even bigger uphill battle than most UDFAs.
Fortunately, Nichols has done everything this team could have asked for over the past month. The powerful running back followed up a strong 2025 preseason in Pittsburgh with an impressive 2026 training camp. Nichols also led all Steelers in rushing (36 yards) and yards per carry (3.6) in the team's preseason opener against the Packers.
Nichols' most impressive run was a play in which he bounced off tackle and scampered for a score. However, his touchdown was wiped off the board due to a holding call on left tackle Troy Fautanu.
As a pure running back, Nichols has clearly looked like the RB3 this summer behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. While Travis Homer is also in the mix and could likely stick around for special teams purposes, Nichols has outplayed second-year back Kaleb Johnson and has a chance to stick around.
Brandon Smith, WR
The Brandon Smith buzz may have died down in recent days, but that doesn't wipe away everything he did this summer. Smith turned heads early at Steelers training camp with some impressive downfield receptions while flashing excellent body control through traffic.
Smith, an undrafted free agent who first signed with the Cowboys after the 2021 NFL Draft, spent time with the New York Jets before joining the Steelers. Unfortunately, Smith has logged a mere nine offensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps over five years in the NFL.
Because of his late start and his age (27), Smith has an enormous hurdle ahead to crack the 53-man roster. He would need two fantastic preseason showings before roster cutdowns to give himself a shot, and it would have to come with a surprise decision (or injury) at the wide receiver position.
But based on performance alone, Smith has earned a shot to make the team.
Doneiko Slaughter, CB
This is a player I don't think anyone thought we'd be talking about as Steelers training camp wraps up. Doneiko Slaughter was an undrafted free agent who first signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2025 NFL Draft.
Slaughter, who played four years at Tennessee and one year at Arkansas at the collegiate level, entered Steelers camp as a widely unknown player. But early in camp, he started earning work with the second-team defense and was quietly one of the team's best overall performers of camp.
Slaugher followed up a strong camp with a notable preseason opener, which included two run stops and a pass breakup en route to earning a 77.8 overall grade and 87.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
At nearly 6'0'' and 195 pounds with 4.38 speed, Slaughter comes with the size and speed that Patrick Graham and the defensive coaching staff can rally behind. The cornerback room is crowded in Pittsburgh, but Slaughter gave himself a fighting chance at a roster spot with a terrific August.
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