NFL action starts tonight with the preseason kickoff, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again working on figuring out the best 53-man roster through training camp and the preseason. It has been an eventful week- plus of practices as players stake their claim to why they should make the roster.
While we have seen quite a few different talking points surface, there is still plenty of time for players to change the narrative. However, here are some of the biggest takeaways from the Steelers' first handful of practices.
1. Linebackers are going to be used all over the field
It felt like it had been discussed at length, but the Steelers have consistently kept their edge rushers strictly to one side. It has been a cheap complaint for fans claiming that it is holding back the likes of T.J. Watt.
While those statements feel overblown, the fact is that the league has shifted to playing edge rushers all over the place to make it hard to gameplan against. Despite that, the Steelers had kept their rushers stuck to one side or the other.
That clearly won’t be the case this year. Pittsburgh is showing a wide variety of packages that will allow their edge rushers to move around. Throw in some unique off-ball linebacker pairings and this group should see a lot of unique looks.
2. Riley Nowakowski could be one of the biggest rookie contributors
While drafted to play fullback, it doesn’t appear the Steelers are going to limit Riley Nowakowski to that one role in his rookie season. While most of his work will be in the backfield, there are other ways he can get involved.
I’d expect him to see snaps as a traditional tight end and maybe even some work in the slot. Add in his special teams value and you have a multi-faceted contributor already. He could quietly have one of the bigger roles as a rookie.
3. Malik Harrison may be looking for a realtor
Many fans were upset that the Steelers didn’t cut Malik Harrison this offseason after a mediocre first season here. I quickly pointed out that the Steelers could cut him at any point this year and save the same amount of cap space.
A week into training camp, it feels like he could already be getting the squeeze.
The Steelers have made it a point to show that the trio of Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, and Patrick Queen will be the defensive pieces. Harrison provides special teams value, but that has been muted and not on display this year.
All told, Harrison could get cut before it is all said and done.
4. There is something there with Drew Allar
Drew Allar was taken with the expectation that he would sit and learn for a year. While that is still the plan, Allar is playing a good brand of football.
He is showing the arm strength and natural gifts he has as a quarterback. While his accuracy is still hit or miss, there is definitely something to work with there. I’m excited to see him play and think there could be a future here for him if he can continue to develop.
5. Will Howard should be feeling the pressure
On the flip side, Will Howard has not had the start of camp that many fans had hoped for. The expectation was for the former sixth-round pick to open as the top backup. That hasn’t happened, as Mason Rudolph has been given the primary backup work.
His overall play hasn’t been as sharp as you would like either. Unlike Allar, Howard’s calling card is his ability to take a profit and manage a game. That hasn’t been on display enough yet, and if those issues remain, he could quickly find himself on the outside looking in.
6. Roman Wilson isn’t rolling over
Germie Bernard was a favorite draft pick for Steelers fans, and the hope was that he would quickly entrench himself as the starting slot receiver. Instead, Roman Wilson has proven to be a viable playmaker and a favorite target of whatever quarterback is on the field.
While this early success needs to translate on the field, it is a promising development for the former third-round pick. There is a clear path for him to open the season as the third receiver for this offense and stave off the rookie Bernard.
7. Running back room is quickly taking shape
While it is early, it feels like the split workload of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle is taking shape. Dowdle will be the primary back and handle the heavy lifting on early downs. Warren will handle third downs and serve as a viable change-of-pace option. I’d expect the snap percentage to be close but slightly favor Dowdle as of now.
As for the backups, Travis Homer has consistently been the third back called upon as well as a core special teams player. It feels like someone has to do enough to take his roster spot. Kaleb Johnson, meanwhile, has flashed at times and could warrant being kept. The other options have yet to separate themselves.
8. Asante Samuel Jr. is making his case for playing time
Arguably the biggest winner of training camp so far, Asante Samuel Jr. looks like he is back to his old form after recovering from injury last year. He has been all over the field on defense and has proven to be one of the most dynamic names so far in camp.
He is slotted in as the third cornerback so far, but the Steelers may have to get creative in order to get him on the field. At worst, he gives the team some of the best cornerback depth that they have had in a while
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