With the draft just a few short days away, the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to revamp their roster with the infusion of some young blood. This team needs a jolt of talent, and the draft is always the best way to find that.
However, the draft also spells trouble for current roster members. When you add a new starter or developmental backup, it means that a current rostered player's role is reduced or even lost entirely.
This year is no exception.
The Steelers will add a handful of new names to their ranks, and a few of those names should be on watch this week. In particular, these four players could see the biggest damage to their own careers after the draft wraps up.
Pittsburgh Steelers players in potential trouble after the NFL draft
Ryan Watts, DB
Ryan Watts looked like he was taking some steps forward last year after being drafted in the sixth round. He made the switch to safety almost instantly after joining the team, and by the end of the preseason, it looked like he was firmly in control of a roster spot.
He suffered a scary injury that ended his season and has potentially threatened his career. He may not play another down, and the draft has nothing to do with that fact right now.
The issue is that the Steelers have shown a lot of interest in this safety draft class. They could add a new defensive back as early as the first round, and if they do grab someone sooner rather than later, Watts' roster spot is hard to sort out.
You have your two starters set in stone. Juan Thornhill got a big enough contract to deem him safe. Miles Killibrew is a special-teams star and won’t be cut. A notable rookie likely takes Watts' spot. Ideally, he just gets back on the field, but his path to the roster is hard to predict ahead of the draft.
Spencer Anderson, IOL
At one point in time, it looked like Spencer Anderson was going to be a versatile interior backup with the potential to even start at guard. Fast forward to now, and he has been ok guard depth, but he was firmly on the bench following an early string of mediocre games.
While the offensive line isn’t the biggest issue on the roster, the Steelers have shown a dedication to rebuilding this offensive line. While it won’t come in the first round, this team will likely have an eye on adding someone if the value is right. They did it last year with Mason McCormick with an eye on the future.
Adding someone notable could take Anderson from top backup to fighting for his roster spot. He didn’t seize his opportunity last year, and it could come back to haunt him this year. Even if the team adds some veterans after the draft, Anderson can’t feel comfortable right now.
Daniel Ekuale, DL
The newest member of the Steelers, Daniel Ekuale, was added as an insurance policy for this defensive line. He has some starting experience, and while his tape isn’t eye-popping, he can hold his own and, ideally, rotate in on defense.
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It seems likely that the Steelers will address the defensive line, though, and sooner rather than later, and if that player comes in the first round as it is widely speculated on, Ekuale won’t be the penciled-in starter for long.
Given his contract, Ekuale should be safe to make the team this year, but he may settle in more as a rotational backup as opposed to a set starter. Assuming the team goes quarterback atop the draft, Ekuale could quickly slip down the depth chart.
Jaylen Warren, RB
The Steelers have made their interest in a running back clear. They have been hot on the trail of some of the top backs and brought in nine options as pre-draft visitors. A rookie will be added to the room, and it could be earlier than many expect.
Jaylen Warren has been penciled in as the starter for good reason. He has been productive as an undrafted rookie, and he did enough to earn a second-round tender. That said, there has been no talk about an extension, and he will be a free agent this time next season if a new deal doesn’t materialize.
If the Steelers take a back on day three, Warren’s spot is cemented. However, this team could find a more capable back earlier than that, and Warren could slip from top guy to second fiddle rather quickly.
While Warren can and should expect a third back to enter the rotation at some point this weekend, a running back earlier than that could push him back to his secondary role. He certainly should be hoping that other positions are addressed earlier.