With two preseason games down, the Steelers roster is progressively taking its final shape as the regular season begins. While there is still one final game for players to make their case, some positional battles have already been settled. These players have stuck out in a positive way and they are likely set to start this season.
While there are plenty of other battles being fought, and quite a few roster spots that are still up for grabs, these four players have rightfully earned their spots for week one. As of this writing, they have won their training camp battles and should now be preparing for the regular season.
Steelers Elijah Riley emerged in the slot
One of the most important questions this offseason was how the Steelers would fill the slot position. Cameron Sutton had served there on the majority of passing roles for the past two seasons, but he took his services to Detroit. There was no clear answer for how the team would address the position and no highly valued player there either.
Patrick Peterson could shift there on passing downs, but there was a need for a player to fill in there on run downs. Chandon Sullivan was the most notable name, but Elijah Riley quickly emerged as a potential solution. A former safety, he has the size and physicality that this team wants in a run defender.
Sullivan could certainly still be kept, but Riley seems like he is in the best position to take this role. He has done everything right so far in camp and has had some strong showings in games as well. I’m sure he will be provided the first chance to work out of the slot on running downs.
Anthony McFarland did what was needed for the Steelers
While a third running back doesn’t seem like a huge need, especially with two capable backs in front of the third, this team had an open competition there. Anthony McFarland was the veteran presence, but he hadn’t proven much since being taken in the fourth round of the draft. His roster spot was far from secure.
I had hopes of an undrafted rookie like Darius Hagens making some noise like Jaylen Warren did last year, but that never happened. Instead, McFarland got the most opportunities and made the most of them. He flashed his speed and ability to make an impact as a runner early and often in camp and during games.
There are still some severe limits to his game. Mainly, he offers very little as a special teams player. Considering Benny Snell manned this role for the past few seasons, the special team's contributions are arguably more important than the offensive ones. McFarland can return kicks, but that is a contribution that could be filled better by other players.
I wouldn’t be writing his spot in with pen yet. There are quite a few viable backs that could be cut and brought in that better suit the third-back role. In terms of training camp battles though, McFarland has dominated the other names in camp. He has firmly won his roster spot, even if a better name could still present itself.
Joey Porter is running up the Steelers depth chart
Expectations were rightfully high for Joey Porter after the Steelers drafted him. While he was a second-round pick, the Steelers turned down numerous trade-back offers to secure him. Add in the fact that no one would have blinked an eye had the team stayed pat and selected him in the first round, and Porter was always going to have a lot of hype.
To this point, Porter has looked the part of a potential first-round cornerback. Gifted with rare size and even rarer length, Porter fits the mold of what this team wants in an outside cornerback. While he has plenty of traits to work on, mainly his grabby nature and lack of turnover production, there is a real chance he starts earlier than thought.
Porter was a constant presence in training camp. His battles with George Pickens quickly became the talk of most of the fanbase. While I would argue that Pickens had the better results overall, Porter never let a bad play get into his head. Even when he was burned by a great play, he came back and made an even better one. A short memory is needed for cornerbacks.
He looked good against the Bills, and I now expect that one of the base outside cornerback spots belongs to him. Levi Wallace is a fine player and a steady presence on defense, but he seems like he will maintain that third role at cornerback. It seems like Porter will be baptized by fire this year, and I am excited to see how he responds this season.
Dan Moore has clearly won the Steelers tackle battle
A rookie who hasn’t fared as well in his battle is first-round pick Broderick Jones. Jones hasn’t been objectively bad, but he has shown the struggles that many expected him to show. Jones is a freak athlete and a potential top tackle because of it, but limited playing time and raw technique means he has something to learn still as a left tackle.
Dan Moore, everyone's favorite incumbent, started training camp poorly off, as did most of the tackles. The edge rushers were constantly getting the better of them in camp, and Moore was no exception. As time went on, Moore continued to show some growth and improvement though. That has continued into the preseason games.
While the battle has been a good one in camp, Moore will be the steadier presence off the bat and a better fit for this offense. Jones needs time to get himself seasoned before he starts, and Moore has proven to be a fine placeholder in the meantime.
For those that get upset at the idea of Jones starting on the bench, there is no sense in rushing him. They have two mid-tier tackles that can hold their own until Jones is ready. Even after Jones takes over at left tackle, I still expect Moore to be in the picture as the swing tackle or even at right tackle. Fans are so low on Moore, but the former fourth-round pick has more than held his own and continues to develop as a tackle.
While the preseason and training camp aren’t quite over, these four players have already seemingly claimed their spots on the roster. These battles seem over due to their strong camp performances. Good on them for proving their worth and value already to this team.