The Steelers have had quite the start to training camp, as various players have been shooting up and down the team’s depth chart. A handful of practices and a lone preseason game have begun to provide some clarity for this team. While the final roster is far from set, some names have been notable so far in this process.
While a lot can change between now and cutdown day, some names are standing out as potential options to make this squad. A few more good practices or another solid preseason outing could do the trick and firmly give them an advantage on the roster. Here are five Steelers that are just a step away from locking up a roster spot.
Kenny Robinson is shooting up the Steelers depth chart
An unheralded signing by the team, Kenny Robinson inked a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers shortly after the season ended. Despite being added in such a forgettable manner, Robinson does have some experience. He played in 19 total games with the Panthers, including a healthy 182 snaps during the 2021 season.
Despite the little fanfare, Robinson has been a hot name since training camp opened. His ball skills, in particular, have been on display, as he has constantly made plays on the ball since camp started. While he failed to snag an interception in the first preseason game, his steady play continued for the defense.
He has good size, has arguably been the best safety of all the backups, and could even play in the slot if given the chance. If his success continues, expect to see him lock up a backup safety spot sooner than later with the potential of even playing in the slot if need be.
Montravius Adams is surprising the Steelers
A name I wrote off early this offseason was Montravius Adams. While I wasn’t surprised that the team kept him into training camp, his elevated salary along with three names that could take his role, including a second-round pick, made him seem very expendable. Add in his poor play from a year ago and Adams seemed like an easy end-of-camp cut candidate.
Since then, he has been doing everything right. While he isn’t the flashiest name along the defensive line, he has looked a lot more stout against the run and has regularly been a winner in drills. Adams did more than enough to get looks as the starter in the first preseason game because of his strong practices.
Keeanu Benton will be the starter here sooner than later. He was an absolute force in the first preseason game, constantly finding ways to get into the opposing backfield and disrupt plays. I’m not arguing that Adams will be kept as a starter, but he could easily be the backup nose tackle and could take snaps elsewhere along the defensive line.
Of all the nose tackles not named Benton, Adams has been the best overall. Add in his versatility elsewhere and you have a strong backup candidate with some versatility. Even with a slightly higher salary, Adams can likely clinch a roster spot with a continuation of his good play through practice and into the second preseason game.
Steelers have Spencer Anderson playing everywhere
Versatility was the name of the game for Spencer Anderson. Taken in the seventh round of the draft, Anderson wasn’t brought in to compete at a specific position, but instead to wear as many hats as he did in college. While his ability to play anywhere was evident in his film, I still figured the Steelers wouldn’t want to crowd his plate early in his career.
I was wrong, as the team has given him snaps at just about every position along the line. He has seen most of his work as a right tackle, but he has also gotten significant looks at both guard spots. Even recently the team has given Anderson some snaps at center to see how he does. By all accounts, he has held his own, even if his center work was a little sloppy.
Then the first preseason game came and went. Not only did Anderson see significant snaps in that game, but he logged time at right tackle and both guard spots. In a typical game setting, players likely won’t be moving around mid-game like that unless absolutely necessary, but Pittsburgh had faith and put Anderson in that tough position. Just as importantly, Anderson did well with all three spots.
He has seen some elevated work in practice now, and I am excited to see where he works in the second preseason game for the Steelers. Another versatile and effective performance should lock him into a backup role for this team after the weekend. His kind of versatility is rare and will be a huge asset for this offense.
Steelers are getting the best out of Kwon Alexander
News broke shortly after the Steelers reported to camp that they were signing veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander. On paper, this was a surprise, as Alexander is the fifth new name at the position, and unlike the more recent additions, Alexander isn’t a notable special teams player. That means his path to make the team is purely as a defender.
Given his veteran minimum contract, age, and injury history, Alexander was far from a lock to make this roster. He was joining the Steelers behind the ball as a camp addition, and if his defensive role didn’t materialize, he wouldn’t have a home on this roster.
The early results were promising, as Alexander was quick to make an impact as a hard-hitting linebacker and a vocal leader. He was consistently setting the tone early for the team, and despite being a vested veteran, he was playing like his hair was on fire. That impact was felt in the first preseason game as well.
Assuming Alexander continues his ways for the Steelers, I think he will have a roster spot officially locked up by the end of this weekend. At this point, I think there is a better chance that Alexander becomes a starter for this defense than he does missing the roster. He has quickly made an impact as a veteran and figures to be a key face on defense this year.
Steelers may finally have something with Anthony McFarland
When the Steelers invested a fourth-round pick in Anthony McFarland, the hope was that he would become an explosive change-of-pace option for this offense. While he never handled a full workload in school, his speed was his calling card. While there have been flashes, McFarland has been a lackluster offensive option so far in his career.
Heading into training camp this year, it looked very likely that McFarland would finally lose his spot on the team after spending most of last year on the practice squad. Once camp began though, the team was constantly feeding McFarland as the third back and has even used him often on two-back plays.
There hasn’t been a running back that has been even remotely close to challenging McFarland for his spot yet, and while someone could emerge, McFarland seems locked into that role as of now. All of this even though he can’t play special teams.
The lone option that could ultimately cost McFarland his roster spot is Connor Heyward. Heyward is being used everywhere on offense right now, from a traditional tight end to a hybrid fullback, and now even in the backfield. The Steelers could potentially only keep two true running backs and use Heyward as the third back.
Ultimately, despite the versatility of Heyward, I feel like another good preseason game will lock McFarland into the third running back role. While he may not always dress on Sunday, he would provide a better long-term replacement if either of the starters went down. He has proven himself to finally be a decent fit in this offense and I expect him to lock up a roster spot soon.
These five Steelers entered camps at various different spots on the team, but as of this writing, all of them seem like they are close to locking up a roster spot. A few more good practices or a solid showing this weekend and each of these options should have their roster spots secured.