With the Pittsburgh Steelers steadily making their way through the preseason and training camp, the roster is slowly getting set. While the first depth chart is a telling sign of who has some early leads, there is still a lot of football to be played before the team will finalize things. That leaves a lot of room for change and for players to slide down the rankings.
While these five players could still make the roster, I have a strong feeling that they are going to lose their spot to another. That could come as a demotion, or even as an outright cut, but things don’t seem to be trending in the right direction for these names. Here are five Steelers who are likely losing their roster spot this season.
Steelers have other options over Isaiahh Loudermilk
Isaiahh Loudermilk was a weird process when the team drafted him. They traded up into the fifth round for a player most expected to go undrafted. His production in school was fine, but he lacked the pass-rushing skills to ever be a great option for any team. That said, he has the size this team likes in their defensive linemen which is a rarity in college.
The early results were promising, but he regressed last season. His run defense went from good to very average, and there hasn’t been a jump in his pass-rush plan yet either. At best, Loudermilk seems like a very low-end backup defensive end, a position that has quite a few viable names.
While he hasn’t been horrible in training camp, Armon Watts has been playing before him and he has been getting outshined by fellow backup option Manny Jones. Unless he flashes in the preseason, Loudermilk seems like a likely cut candidate and will likely lose his backup role to a new name.
Levi Wallace may eventually have a reserve role
Levi Wallace was a savvy signing for the Steelers last offseason. While not an elite player, he makes fair money and can be a good second cornerback for this defense. He served that role well last year and ultimately had a career season.
I was mulling over the potential of him getting cut after camp if all the cards fell the right way. One of those cards was Cory Trice surpassing him on the depth chart though, and that no longer is an issue. Wallace now seems like a true lock to make this team. The real question is, will he still be the starter opposite of Patrick Peterson?
Signs seem to be pointing to no right now. Rookie Joey Porter is having a strong camp and has stacked quite a few good practices. While he has had plenty of flaws like any rookie would, he isn’t letting that slow him down. He follows up every bad play with a good one and will be seeing the field sooner than later.
While Wallace may get the initial nod, I expect him to eventually be replaced by Porter. While he will still see snaps in certain packages, his playing time will likely decrease. Again, he seems like a very safe roster lock as of this writing, but I expect his role to be occupied by Porter sooner than later, and for Wallace to see more time on the bench because of it.
Steelers seem desperate with Kendrick Green
Kendrick Green is the most recent example of a monumental draft bust for the Steelers. A former third-round pick, he has bounced from center to guard and now back to center so far in his career with little success. While there is hope that he can secure the backup center job, he hasn’t shown any real improvements so far this offseason.
Now, it seems as though the team is desperate to try and figure something out for Green, as he has been taking some snaps at fullback recently. This was an idea that was thrown around as a joke for a while, but the Steelers have been utilizing him there in camp as he continues to battle for center reps.
While I have no issue with a player toying with a different position, Green really needs to be focused on getting better as a center before playing elsewhere. He needs every rep that he can get, as he has failed to show any promise there so far in his career.
On the flip side, maybe this is an indication that Green isn’t going to remain at center as he is just that bad. The team may be cutting bait and throwing anything they can at the wall to see if it sticks. If that is the case though, Green’s best shot is at making the practice squad.
Despite him making the news for an actual positive thing, Green is still very much in trouble when it comes to this roster construction. While his new role could prolong his career, it also seems to be the potential end of his backup center bid. I struggle to see him making the roster as it currently sits.
Steelers will eventually bench Montravius Adams
I am certainly surprised that the Steelers still have Montravius Adams kicking around the starting role at nose tackle. While the team hoped to have an underrated gem on their hands last year, his actual play was lackluster. With a small, but easily cuttable, contract and a slew of new names around, it didn't seem likely that Adams had any shot of making the roster.
To this point, Adams has been one of the better and more surprising players at training camp. The entire defensive line has looked stout, and Adams looks more like the player that flashed during his first season with the team. Even with his elevated salary, I like his odds of making the team this year based on his early performance.
That all said, it is likely inevitable that Adams ends up making his way to the bench even if he starts the season as the starter. Keeanu Benton was a perfect fit for this defense, and while he has the versatility to wear a lot of hats, he seems destined to start his career as a nose tackle. Given his pedigree and his solid start to camp, I expect to see him on the field sooner than later.
Even if Adams continues his strong start to camp, I don’t foresee him remaining ahead of Benton for this season. His making the roster is no longer shocking, but maintaining his starter status would be. Even if he sneaks onto the team, don’t expect him to remain as a starter for very long, as he has a talented rookie right behind them.
Steelers are all out on Kevin Dotson
What has to be one of the biggest falls from grace in recent years, Kevin Dotson has had a horrible offseason. He finished this season as the primary starter at guard and an increased salary given his playtime. Since free agency began he has seen his stock tumble as he was first battling for his job and is now, at best, a third-string guard for this team.
That increase in salary also isn’t doing him much good right now. Keeping a third-string player for that price is already hard to justify. Dotson also can’t play anywhere other than guard, as he lacks the technique to be a reserve tackle and has never handled snapping duties. It is hard to see him having a real shot at the roster.
Dotson’s attitude also hasn’t been great. While it can’t be easy to see your perceived value decrease that quickly, Dotson appears to be fine with just rolling over and letting his spot go. There hasn’t been much fight in his words, and he seems to be focused on just finding a new team for the season instead.
Without a doubt, Dotson will be the chief example of a player losing his spot during this offseason. He is in a battle for a backup spot, and his roster odds aren’t exactly high either. It will likely be a year to forget for the former starting guard.