With the 2025 NFL Draft over, the Pittsburgh Steelers have started their preseason process. Their rookie minicamp took place over the weekend and was full of fun tidbits and sound bites. It's football in shorts, which means no pads or hitting allowed. It's the first time the organization can see their draft class and fellow tryouts make their case for the roster.
This is the first time that the organization can see their draft class and fellow tryouts make their case for the roster.
No one is getting released from the roster yet, but those who attempted to make the team on a tryout deal were working harder than others. The Steelers' 2025 draft class has undrafted free agents and draft picks. There could still be movement across the roster, but as many rookies showed, they are worth these spots on the depth chart heading into training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookies set themselves apart from the rest of the draft class
Gareth Warren, Offensive tackle/Guard
Pittsburgh needed extra players in the trenches heading into training camp. They decided to sign Gareth Warren after he tried out for the club. The mammoth of a human being played guard and offensive tackle in a small program. He bullied his competition and gained unlimited buzz at their rookie minicamp. The Steelers are thrilled with his size and potential to develop.
Warren joins the roster with little pedigree in front of him.
Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu will start, but those behind them must earn their spots. Calvin Anderson appears to be the swing tackle to start training camp, but nothing is guaranteed. Warren has an uphill path to reach the final 53-man roster, but he has an opportunity to earn a spot and possibly play as a tackle and guard.
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Kaleb Johnson, Running back
Not everything at rookie minicamp needs to be a surprise.
The Steelers had a good idea of who they were getting when they selected Kaleb Johnson with their third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He went to the minicamp in terrific shape and appeared ready for the campaign ahead. There have been ongoing questions about his speed because of a poor 40-yard dash time, but he doesn't seem slow.
The NFL isn't a bodybuilding competition. You might look the part, but you must show you can create plays. Johnson has shown he can do that in a run-heavy offense in college. Expect the Steelers to get him plenty of snaps at training camp. He must earn every snap that goes his way because Pittsburgh likes what Jaylen Warren brings to the table.
Thomas Perry, Guard/Center
It's mind-boggling to wonder why Thomas Perry is without an NFL contract. He worked his way onto the Ravens and Steelers rookie minicamps. The undrafted rookie out of Middlebury should get a chance somewhere before training camps hit. Pittsburgh liked what they saw with Perry in town, but it hasn't resulted in an offer.
He will try and salvage his opportunities before they run out.
Perry is from a tiny football program but is a massive human. The Steelers could use another versatile player along the offensive line. Perry can play both guard spots and has the potential to take snaps at center. He didn't play against elite competition, but Perry is someone who could become a diamond in the rough. The Steelers should give him a shot at training camp.