Training camp is the time of year when NFL jobs are won and lost.
Only 53 players will make the final roster when it is all said and done this preseason. Pittsburgh has a couple of decisions that will make them ponder which player is the correct one to let go. Making it in the NFL takes a ton of hard work and dedication. Coming into training camp as an undrafted rookie will only intensify the odds against them.
Some undrafted free agents should be able to produce a quality training camp to push for the final 53-man roster.
Beanie Bishop
No other undrafted free agent has been the talk of the town more than Beanie Bishop.
He has been terrific through rookie mini camp and actual mini camp. Bishop remains consistent in playing the right way by being in the right spot and causing pass breakups while in coverage. His vast experience starting at the position in college should only help aid his transition to the professional level. Cornerback has open competition at depth cornerback and starting slot corner.
Expect Bishop to show he can play inside and outside at the position and push for a spot on the roster.
John Rhys Plumlee
He has gotten some buzz, but John Rhys Plumlee might become a fan favorite at training camp.
It seems almost impossible to find an avenue for Plumlee to make the final roster barring injury at the quarterback position. The undrafted free agent is the fourth quarterback on the roster, but he will have to show more than that at camp. He has played receiver before, and he was seen catching punts at mini camp.
Plumlee is someone fans will be enamored with at training camp. That will make it easy to root for him to find his way on the Steelers roster.
Daijan Edwards
Competition is wide open at running back. The top three backs are set in stone right now with Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson. That doesn't mean that the Steelers won't consider keeping a fourth guy on the final roster if someone can prove they are worth the extra spot. Patterson could be seen as more of a return guy, so there could be a spot available.
Daijan Edwards is the first name to come to mind when you look past the top three at running back. He is an undrafted free agent, but he played some quality football at Georgia. If he can show that he is dependable in all facets of the position at training camp, then Edwards could be a sneaky option to make the roster.
Julius Welschof
Beyond the top three at outside linebacker, the Steelers have a slight depth issue at the position.
Pittsburgh seems content with trying to find a guy currently on the roster to battle it out at training camp before adding an outside option. Julius Welschof could be an option to make the roster as an undrafted free agent. He is a superb athlete coming out of Michigan, but he still has a lot to improve with his game.
If Welschof can find ways to flash at the position periodically and become a special team's standout, then he has a real shot at overcoming the odds and making the Steelers roster.