With the Steelers set to begin training camp, the heat is one for the players on the roster looking to secure a spot. You have your natural starters and core depth that makes up the vast majority of the roster, but there are always ten or so spots that are up for grabs. This is especially apparent with Pittsburgh, as they have redone most of the backend of their depth chart.
I’m going to call my shot with some specific names on their odds of making the roster. All five of the names on this list aren’t roster locks, and while some are more notable names, they are fighting for their roster spots. Here are three fringe roster players that will make the Steelers roster and two that won’t.
Steelers fringe player that will make the roster: RB Darius Hagens
The Steelers have a clear identity this year, and while both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren figure to be key contributors on offense, the third back on the team is currently up in the air. While the most notable name around is Anthony McFarland given his draft status and time already spent on the roster, he is no lock and doesn’t offer much on special teams.
Of the names on the backend of the depth chart, I really like Darius Hagens. A small school talent from Virginia State, Hagens profiles as everything this team would potentially want in a back. He has some of the better size of the current group of backups and tested well as an athlete at the HBCU Combine.
While a name like Alfonzo Graham and even McFarland make sense given their different styles of running, Hagens gets my nod due to the team usually employing bigger backs. Hagens fits that mold and runs with a lot of power. Add in some experience on special teams, and more importantly the size to excel there, and I like him as the third back for this offense.