The Pittsburgh Steelers rounded out a solid and safe draft class by drafting a relatively unknown name with their final pick. Pittsburgh added Donte Kent shortly before the draft ended. A surprise pick, he will figure into the secondary battle at camp.
Unfortunately for him, it already looks like his roster spot is at risk this offseason.
While there are long-term question marks in the cornerback room, the depth chart is actually pretty tough to crack. Kent also lacks some defining traits or a clear spot to play him. Finding him a roster spot is easier said than done.
It is more common than not that teams don’t keep every rookie in a draft class, and Kent seems like he is already on the outside looking in on this roster. If he does fail to show some positive traits in camp, he may be looking for a new home altogether.
Donte Kent shouldn’t feel comfortable with the Pittsburgh Steelers
While Kent isn’t a lock to be cut, finding him a spot on the roster, assuming everyone stays healthy, is tricky.
To his credit, he is a great athlete and plays a really physical brand of football. In a league where cornerbacks shy away from contact, he throws himself into the fray and is a solid option in run support.
He has inside and outside versatility, although his size and physicality would likely force him into a more permanent role in the slot. That is already a crowded room. Beanie Bishop had some positives to build off during his rookie season, while free agent signing Brandon Echols will combat with him as inside and outside depth.
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The rest of the depth chart is pretty cut and dry. Joey Porter and Darius Slay will start, while Cory Trice should serve as the main backup to both. Echols and Bishop will compete for the slot job, with the other serving as a backup. Assuming they keep six, James Pierre is a core special-teams player.
Outside of winning a slot job out of training camp, Kent’s best role on the roster is on special teams. Unfortunately, the Steelers don’t use defensive backs on returns under Mike Tomlin, so he will have to prove to be a better special-teams option over Pierre.
Considering the boost this team got last year when Pierre returned to his role on special teams, I don’t think this is likely. Instead, Kent will, at best, need a season on the practice squad before figuring into the special teams’ conversation.
All of these reasons make him my least favorite draft pick, as his role and projection are tough to find with the Steelers. Unless he shocks everyone, don’t be surprised to see him cut at the end of summer.