The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up OTAs, and that means they are another step closer to training camp. A mandatory minicamp is up next, and for these rookies, it's another opportunity to show why they deserve to stick around. There are competitions littered across the roster, and none will be complete until the final cuts start rolling through.
Some of those battles will rely on how the rookie class performs.
Omar Khan identified a handful of upgrades in the 2025 NFL Draft, but some will have a better chance of winning a starting gig compared to others. The higher you are selected, the better chance you have of earning a significant role. No matter where you got selected, you must earn your stripes. There are a couple of different pathways for particular rookies to land massive jobs for this team.
Pittsburgh Steelers could lean on some of their top rookies coming out of OTAs
Derrick Harmon, DT
Let's get the crystal-clear option out of the way first.
Derrick Harmon has the best shot at winning a starting job on day one compared to the rest of the rookie class. He is a freak athlete and follows Cam Heyward around like a lost puppy. He is eager to learn and jump onto the football field. Health and adjusting to the speed of the NFL will remain the first-rounder's biggest hurdle, but he is likely to play a significant role on defense from the jump.
Heyward will control one starting spot, and Keeanu Benton seems stuck at the nose tackle position. That means Harmon is the clear option to replace Larry Ogunjobi. It's possible Mike Tomlin could shove a veteran over the rookie on the first depth chart, but that would be petty politics. Harmon will be a starter for Pittsburgh during the opening week unless something goes sideways.
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Kaleb Johnson, RB
Other than Harmon, Kaleb Johnson remains the big favorite to land a starting role on the Steelers. The rookie third-round pick was fantastic value in the draft, and it appears he is living up to the hype. OTAs saw the running back show off his speed, which many were concerned about because of his poor 40-yard dash. Johnson has been terrific, and he appears right at home in Pittsburgh's run-heavy offense.
Jaylen Warren is on the roster, and that could keep Johnson from being the workhorse back right away. Warren is a reliable back who could get the start in Week 1. Johnson has his work cut out for him if he wants to jump to the top spot in the pecking order. He has all the talent in the world, which requires him to round out his game this preseason.
Johnson has a clear path to become the starter, but Warren will give him a run for his money.
Donte Kent, Cornerback
Beanie Bishop is the leader of the pack right now regarding Pittsburgh's starting slot cornerback. There are few options at the position, but none of them are great choices. Bishop had a strong season in terms of turnovers, but he also got burned a lot. Donte Kent was one of the Steelers' seventh-round selections, and he is already in the competition to earn a starting role.
Kent's battle with Bishop began at OTAs. The rookie gained some praise during practices, but Bishop also received accolades. Pittsburgh is in a rough spot at slot cornerback, and it appears they will gamble on two guys with a lot to prove.
Kent must stand out in the preseason and training camp to have a real shot at starting, which isn't an outlandish task. The seventh-rounder has plenty of experience coming out of college to lean on.