The Steelers have been through quite a bit in training camp. From some early injuries to some surprising standouts, this team has been through the wringer so far. For every good performance, there have been some bad ones though. With camp continuing on, trends are starting to form though, and it hasn’t been great for some players.
While the depth chart is still being formed, these four players have seen their positions on the roster waiver. Some of them had some actual spots while others are just battling for a roster spot. These performances and the performances of others have made me question these four Steelers, and I have to think they are currently tumbling down the depth chart.
Steelers haven’t gotten much from Hakeem Butler
One of the more surprising names to be added to this roster, the Steelers added veteran receiver Hakeem Butler after his strong XFL season. He hasn’t been able to do much as a pro to this point, but a strong showing in the Spring seemingly showed that changes have been made.
The early results in camp haven’t been promising. Butler is a name that should be dominating right now. He has a rare blend of height weight and speed which typically shows well early on. When pads are off, in particular, players like this thrive.
Butler hasn’t, and worse yet, his hands have been a noticeable issue. Drops this early on will be a huge blow to his chances of making the roster. Add in the steady play of a returning player in Cody White and it seems like Butler is quickly making his way toward the bottom of the depth chart.
Steelers Le’Raven Clark has been as advertised
The Steelers added Le’Raven Clark right before the draft to shore up their tackle depth chart. While the goal was to land a top tackle, the team didn’t want to go into the draft with just two pure tackles. While not a great player in the past, he fits the mold of the bigger and longer tackles this team covets.
The early results of training camp have not been friendly to Clark. The tackle group as a whole has struggled. Part of that is the excellent edge group they are facing. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have regularly been winning in camp, which is to be expected.
The issue is, Clark has failed to have any truly good reps. While everyone else has had the occasional win, Clark is regularly getting smoked off the edge. This is both against the top competition as well as rookie Nick Herbig. While his burst off the edge has been impressive, Herbig shouldn’t be beating Clark as he has.
Clark should be able to use his length and size to combat the undersized rookie, but he hasn’t. I’ve looked everywhere and it seems like a constant that Clark is regularly getting beaten in camp. While he is only the fourth tackle on the depth chart, he could easily be playing his way off the roster given the early results of his training camp.
Steelers haven’t been keen on Chandon Sullivan
After the draft wrapped up, the Steelers were quick to add veteran slot defender Chandon Sullivan. An experienced player, he didn’t have a lot of competition on the roster heading into training camp. Despite having some lackluster film over the past few seasons, the expectation was that this was Sullivan’s job to lose.
That hasn’t been the case so far. Unsurprisingly, Patrick Peterson has taken on the Cam Sutton role of passing down slot cornerback. The team still wants a more physical presence there for run-downs though, and, in theory, Sullivan would profile well there.
One of the first names to get that opportunity was veteran Duke Dawson. While Dawson has the pedigree, he has yet to develop into a capable starter and has been a journeyman as of late in the league. The Steelers were willing to give him an early look though once camp opened.
Other defensive backs have been active so far in camp. Madre Harper has flashed some strong tape, although he doesn’t profile as a slot defender. On the other hand, Elijah Riley and Kenny Robinson both have been aggressive and have taken advantage of the opportunities on defense. They look the part more than Sullivan does.
While there is still a lot of camp left to get through, Sullivan has to have taken one of the bigger tumbles down the depth chart so far. He entered training camp as the favorite to start in the slot, but his lacking play as well as the good play from other names has caused Sullivan to quickly fall down the depth chart.
Steelers have buried Mark Robinson
This depth chart tumble is one that I have covered already, and it isn’t exactly Mark Robinson’s fault. The only holdover at the position from last season, Robinson entered the year as a potential starter given his solid rookie season. The moves from the offseason seem to indicate that he isn’t even a lock to make this team.
To be blunt, Robinson falling down the depth chart hasn’t been his fault, as he is purely a victim of circumstance. Pittsburgh wanted a clear three-down linebacker, and they got that, on paper, in Cole Holcomb. Even after Elandon Roberts was signed, Robinson still had a shot at making the roster and potentially even starting.
The recent addition of Kwon Alexander has put some serious heat on Robinson. Alexander was brought in to be, at worst, the rotational defender. If the early results in camp are a sign, he will likely be much more than that. He has consistently been viewed as one of the best linebackers in camp, and his spot seems rather secure as of this writing.
Robinson hasn’t been horrible in camp by any means, but the additions to the team are playing well enough to garner attention. He needs to stand out like he did last year if he wants a shot at sticking around this roster this season. He has fallen off steeply from what fans expected him to be this season.
Training camp has been full of feel-good stories and surprisingly good players, but these four Steelers have seen themselves tumble down depth charts so far. Their lacking play along with the good contributions of others have seen their roster spots be put into question.