The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the more intriguing rosters in the NFL right now. While the quarterback room is still very much up in the air, there are a lot of other battles brewing on the roster worth noting.
With an influx of new faces and talent, as well as a new coaching staff, this should be an action-packed summer filled with competition. However, quite a few names are already feeling the squeeze.
For some players though, the Steelers can’t give up on them quite yet.
While the new faces will make every effort to clear out the old guard, these players are still worth hanging onto. While not a guarantee, these players could turn around their careers and are still worth developing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t give up on these three players quite yet
Dylan Cook, OT
For the longest time this offseason, it felt like the Steelers were going to roll into 2026 with Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones as the competitors for the left tackle job. Then, news broke about a week before the draft that Jones may not be healthy, so Pittsburgh turned around and drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round.
One of the biggest questions following the draft is how this line looks come Week 1. Troy Fautanu to left tackle and Iheanachor on the right is a popular pick. Others speculate that Jones will get the nod, if healthy, and let Iheanachor develop for his first year.
However, I think Cook is deserving of a long look at left tackle. His play was solid when he took over last year, and it would allow Fautanu to stay on the right side. Iheanachor could learn on the left side as a rookie in hopes of starting there in the future.
Cook vs Jones was expected to be a heated battle this summer. I see no reason why you can’t pencil Cook in as the left tackle right now until proven otherwise. Sure, he will make the roster either way, but there should be a serious conversation about Cook starting at tackle this season.
Roman Wilson, WR
While most have written Roman Wilson off as a lost cause, the Steelers certainly shouldn’t cut bait with the former third-round draft pick. Unless a better option arises, Wilson is still worth hanging onto.
While the top three receivers feel set in stone, Wilson can still serve as a viable fourth option and depth for the team. Frankly, that may be the best spot for him given his lack of success to date.
The expectations would be low, so Wilson can take some risks in order to recapture his collegiate success. Had another early pick been used on a rookie, that would be one thing, but the path to playing time is clear, and Wilson makes the most sense offensively as the fourth receiver on the depth chart.
Kaleb Johnson, RB
I’m about as low on Kaleb Johnson as you can be right now. Last year’s third-round pick was a disaster, and there isn’t a great track record of players like him rebounding long-term.
That said, cutting Johnson this early is a tough pill to swallow. The issue seems to be a lack of special teams depth. A number three running back has to offer something besides their offensive ability, and he currently doesn’t.
That said, he was a tough runner at Iowa, and the hope is that he could become a viable asset on offense. There is still time to rebound, but he needs to show the magic he had at Iowa to justify staying on the roster.
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