Steelers training camp has officially wrapped up and put a bow on top as players head back to the city of Pittsburgh. They will now go to the facility in the city to practice and prepare for their remaining preseason games. Training camp is where most of the final roster decision-making is made, but it is not always completed there.
It will take the remainder of the preseason before the Steelers coaching staff and front office start to make final decisions. They must carve their current 90-man roster down to 53 in less than two weeks upon writing this article. There could be some surprises that either make the final roster or their practice squad with some of these players that are flying under the radar.
Dylan Cook has been showing steady progress with the Steelers
Everyone is watching the starting battles at tackle, which have been mostly directed toward Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones at left tackle. Chuks Okorafor's spot on the right side is not as secure as many think. When it comes to depth many forget of the others that could potentially fill out the bottom spots at tackle for this club.
Dylan Cook is someone that many did not hear much of coming into camp and he has made some positive strides. He just transitioned to the tackle position a couple of years ago after his spot at quarterback during his college days. The team might keep three tackles total or have Le'Raven Clark make the club over Cook. Expect Cook to at least stick around as a project piece on the practice squad.
A depth defensive lineman could still push for a final roster spot
There are multiple competitions in progress to try and figure out who will make the roster on the defensive line. Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, and DeMarvin Leal are all locks unless an unforeseen injury occurs to any of them. That accounts for four spots taken up already and there will be two, maybe three up for grabs.
The nose tackle spot is the last big role available for the taking up front for the Steelers defense. Montravius Adams is still listed as the starter in that role on the team's depth chart, but that will likely change as time passes. Breiden Fehoko has been outstanding against the run at camp and Benton is starting to push forward in his development.
Most should assume that at least one of Adams or Fehoko will make the final roster and both should be considered favorites if you were into the betting realm of the NFL. That would then leave maybe one slot on the final roster available and that would come down to either Isaiahh Loudermilk or Armon Watts. It seems like Loudermilk's job to lose right now.
Watts has a good chunk of experience in the NFL and would provide some different things to this team that Loudermilk couldn't. The Steelers normally like to stick with the player they know in these types of satiations when it comes to their final roster construction. Watts could make the team but expect a potential practice squad spot is an option for him.
There is plenty of talent at tight end and this player has gotten no mention
One of the deepest positions on the Steelers right now is tight end. They have a ton of talent from their top starter down to some of the lowest depth guys that are currently filling out their team. Pat Freiermuth is a young star for this team and should be able to take his game to the next level. He gets a lot of attention from the media (and for good reason).
Darnell Washington is the new flashy rookie that everyone is excited to see after he slipped to the Steelers third-round pick in this recent draft. He has shown the ability to create some big plays during practices at training camp and some in the preseason. Zach Gentry is also back as a solid backup and Connor Heyward is a utility guy that can play everywhere.
Those top four are impressive and all of them will make the team since there will not be a normal fullback on the roster. That stacked room will allow Heyward to fill out that fullback spot and force a talented player off the club. Rodney Williams has been a solid contributor at training camp and showed some solid ability during game action too.
He is an interesting tight end that seems to be an issue of circumstance as he would likely have a shot at making the roster if there weren't so many talented players in front of him. Expect Williams to be released and signed to the practice squad if no other club picks him up on waivers. He is a talented tight end that might have some potential for this club.
An XFL standout could find a home in Pittsburgh if everything goes to plan
It has been nearly three and a half months since the Arlington Renegades shocked the XFL and won their championship. It was a successful return for the league as they were able to start and finish their first season upon their second revival of the football league. It saw some talented players take the field in hopes of earning NFL opportunities.
Those hopes did become reality for some players and the Steelers were not afraid to dip into that free agency pond. They have signed players before and during training camp that took part in the XFL experience. They signed some notable names that participated in that league with the belief that they could come in and challenge for a spot on the roster.
Luq Barcoo was statistically the best cover cornerback in the XFL this past season. He played for the Brahma Bulls with Hines Ward as his Head coach. Barcoo was signed by the Steelers earlier this offseason and he has not let them down. He has started to come along during the last couple of weeks of camp, but he needs to translate that into games.
He has been relatively silent this preseason, but there is a spot for him on this roster if he can outplay someone like James Pierre at cornerback and on special teams. Pierre's spot on this team is far from stable and he needs to prove to the coaches that he belongs. Expect Barcoo to put up a fight and potentially land on the practice squad if he misses out on a roster spot.
The Steelers could keep a young veteran receiver around after the preseason
Perhaps another issue of circumstance here for the player as the wide receiver room is full. The competition for the final spot or two here is going to be tight up till the very end. Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, and Calvin Austin III all have their spots locked up to make the team. There are one or two spots available.
It seems like both Gunner Olszewski and Miles Boykin are the early favorites to land one or both of those spots. Both can be a depth piece for certain situations at receiver and provide snaps on special teams. They provide their own options that the Steelers would probably value on the roster when they make their cuts official.
Cody White had a good training camp overall, but he has not done a ton during the games this preseason. He needs to step up in that regard and carry strong practices over to game-time situations. He might have a slim chance to make the team, but it is still a chance if he can someone beat out either Olszewski or Boykin.
White has been around Pittsburgh for some time now between the practice squad and brief stints on the active roster. This is the time when he needs to figure out what his NFL career is going to be as he continues to get older and runs out of time. If he cannot beat out Olszewski or Boykin, then he will probably revert back to the practice squad yet again.