The Pittsburgh Steelers are reporting to training camp as we speak. There are a handful of roster spots up for grabs, and it could lead to unique outcomes. A player you might not have on your radar heading into the preseason process might produce a powerful training camp and position themselves in a terrific spot to make the final 53-man roster.
It seems that every year brings different storylines about players no one expected to have a shot at making the team, but they have a fantastic preseason and crack the Week 1 roster. It happened with players like Jaylen Warren and Beanie Bishop. Both will likely play massive roles for the club this season.
The underdog story in the NFL is always sweeter when players overcome the odds and make the opening lineup.
Pittsburgh Steelers could have shocking depth chart risers at training camp
DJ Thomas-Jones, FB
There might not be a worse situation going into training camp than what DJ Thomas-Jones is dealing with. He is an undrafted free agent who plays fullback, a position that is increasingly rare in football. The good news for the roster long shot is that the Steelers prefer the position. They like the ability that fullbacks bring with their game, and Thomas-Jones has been off to a hot start for Pittsburgh.
His chances of making the final roster this year appear stacked against him, but it's not all bad news.
The tight ends are full of pass-catching players, outside of Darnell Washington, who is primarily a blocker. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see offensive coordinator Arthur Smith demand a fourth player at the position group, and that is where Thomas-Jones could wiggle his way into the conversation.
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Logan Lee, DT
With an influx of rookie defensive linemen heading into training camp, it's easy to bypass Logan Lee. He missed his entire rookie campaign in 2024 and is hopeful of turning things around in Year 2. He was a sixth-round selection by the Steelers last year, and he has a shot at competing for a roster spot. Most 53-man roster predictions have him missing the cut, despite his talent and youth.
Pittsburgh would love for Lee and other young players in the trenches to prove their worth. He had an entire season to sit back and learn from some of the best players in the NFL. If he fails to make the roster this year, he might be on track to sink out of professional football. It was a tough start to his career, but with a new bill of health, Lee has a shot to break onto the scene and earn a job.
Dylan Cook, OT
It's time for Dylan Cook to finally show a step in his progression as an offensive tackle, or the team must move on.
He is an athletic player at the position who transitioned to the NFL after playing college quarterback. He has been working on that transition since 2019, but time is wearing thin. He signed with the Steelers in 2023 and made their initial roster, but failed to stick since.
Cook couldn't stay healthy last year, which sank his prospects of becoming a quality depth option for the team. He has quickly slid down the depth chart, and he must earn his respect. If he fails to make the roster this time around, the Steelers should consider moving in another direction. He has the potential to become a reliable depth tackle for the team, but he must prove it at training camp.