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.
Steelers fringe player that won’t make the roster: DB Tre Norwood
On paper, Tre Norwood should be in a great spot to make this roster and carve out a role on defense. The former seventh-round draft pick has played safety in the past, but he excels as the extra secondary member in dime defense and as a slot defender. With Cameron Sutton now in Detroit, he could make a huge jump as a player this season.
The issue was that last year Norwood became an afterthought in this defense. While he still looked competent in coverage, his tackling became a real issue. While Norwood has never been a great option to wrap up a ball carrier, he was abysmal last year, posting a nearly 18 percent missed tackle rate.
Numbers like that will absolutely keep you off the defense, as Norwood proved to be a liability when asked to bring down a ball carrier. While he did see a healthy amount of snaps on special teams, not being able to tackle well doesn’t bode well for a player that will serve on coverage units. There will be better options out there.
On one hand, Norwood has the chance to cement himself as a starter for this defense in the slot. His tackling needs to make serious improvements though, as he will not be counted on if he plays similarly to how he did last year. Ultimately, if he can’t get his tackling issues resolved, don’t be surprised to see him get cut at the end of training camp.
Steelers fringe player that will make the roster: TE Zach Gentry
While I am a bigger fan of Zach Gentry than most, I can also recognize that his roster spot is far from secure. While Gentry has done a great job of going from a low-end tight end to a find reserve and blocker, he may be redundant in this offense.
Darnell Washington was drafted in the third round of the draft this offseason, and while rookie tight ends typically have a bit of a learning curve, he could have a role instantly as the main blocking tight end. He has the size and technique to excel there early on. That could quickly push Gentry into the third tight-end role.
That alone won’t keep Gentry off this roster. This offense is being built to run the ball, and having ample big-bodied tight ends would make sense. Gentry is earning the minimum, so he can easily slot into that third role with ease.
The question becomes what role will Connor Heyward have with the team in 2023? While he will retain, and ideally build on his success as a rookie, he may also incorporate fullback work into his repertoire. If he does, the team will keep four tight ends and Gentry will retain his spot.
If he doesn’t, or if rookie Monte Pottenbaum really impresses in camp, Gentry will likely be the odd man out. That said, he has developed into a steady option that seems fine being used mostly as a blocker. I’m guessing he sticks around on this new-look offense for the 2023 season.
Steelers fringe player that won’t make the roster: LB Tanner Muse
The Steelers are in a weird spot when it comes to their linebacker room. The team will likely carry only nine total players here between the edge rushers and off-ball linebackers. Four edge rushers and two off-ball names are already locked in, leaving a total of three spots up for grabs.
While I am less confident now than before, Mark Robinson should be a favorite to lock in one of those open spots. From there, it will be a three-way battle between Tanner Muse, Nick Kwiatkoski, and Quincy Roche.
The easiest name to single out is Roche, as fifth-edge rushers aren’t overly common for the team. That said, he has flashed some special teams ability with the Giants over the past few years and was a productive backup. What really may give him an edge is that rookie Nick Herbig may ultimately play more of an off-the-ball role. If he does, the team may want Roche around as additional depth.
That would leave the Kwiatkoski and Muse fighting for that last spot. While wildly different players, both have very similar roles. Neither should be taking the majority of defensive snaps, but are instead depth options with great special teams ability. While Muse is the more athletic player, Kwiatkoski is the better depth in my opinion.
While it is rare for the Steelers to cut their free agent signings, Muse was added for the minimum and could be forced out given the crowd at linebacker. If the team keeps Herbig as purely an edge rusher, this conversation is a lot more open. If not, Muse will be battling for a spot on the final roster.
Steelers fringe player that will make the roster: CB James Pierre
The Steelers cornerback room got a makeover this offseason. While James Pierre and Levi Wallace are set to return for another season, they are joined by a savvy veteran in Patrick Peterson and two rookies who may command starting snaps sooner than later. I wouldn’t say either of the returning corners are roster locks, but Pierre is fighting for his job more than Wallace is.
When the roster is ultimately finalized, I do expect Pierre to be on this roster. The simplest reason is that Pierre is an accomplished special teams coverage player. The team lost a few core guys from last year, so having a familiar face will be helpful to that room.
That being said, I also don’t think Pierre’s days as a contributor on defense are over either. While he has been very hot and cold as a player, he had quite a few good games last season. While he did get some help on his side when in coverage, he also was a lot more consistent as a coverage player. He took over for Ahkello Witherspoon once he was injured and never lost that spot.
Not only do I think Pierre makes the roster, but I also don’t think it is impossible that he eventually competes with Wallace for snaps assuming Joey Porter starts sooner than later. Add in the special teams value, and Pierre seems like a good bet to make this squad even if he is fighting for a job right now.
The Steelers are set to begin training camp soon, and while a lot of their roster spots are set, there are quite a few players who are on the proverbial roster bubble. Of that bubble, I think these three players stick while the other two don’t.