With the Steelers officially starting their organized team activities (OTAs) this week, the offseason is beginning to shift its focus to training camp. Battles aren’t won and lost during this time, but it does provide players with an opportunity to add some value to their name before the team reports to Latrobe.
Personally, I love hearing stories about fast-rising players. Just a few years ago Mike Hilton was in this boat. Unknown heading into that offseason, he played hard during every practice and had some positive notes about him heading into camp. The rest was history.
While every positive name won’t have those same results, it will be key to see what players are impressing so early in the offseason. Important to note, rookies will not be included on this list, as everyone is eager to see how the investments look right now. With that said, here are the six players I am closely following during OTAs.
Did Steelers find a sleeper in Hakeem Butler?
Hakeem Butler was a late addition to the roster, coming over from the XFL after a solid season there. He was a hot name a few years ago heading into the draft given his size and athletic testing. Nothing materialized though for the former fourth-round pick, and he is still looking for his first NFL reception.
Butler has the size and speed that you can’t teach, but he is a poor route runner and has suspect hands. He was a playmaker in the XFL, but can he sustain that against NFL-caliber players? Luckily for him, the Steelers have a wide-open spot at their sixth receiver spot, and if he can continue the success he found, he could lock up a role there.
In theory, a player like Butler should thrive here, as contact is light and he can use his traits to dominate. While his roster odds aren’t great, I am excited to see him work this offseason. His path is clear, and it starts now for Butler.
Can Steelers Tre Norwood return to form?
At one point in time, Tre Norwood looked like a versatile chess piece for this defense. He looked like a steal of a seventh-round pick, and long-term he could shift into the slot or serve as an additional defender in the secondary. I was excited to see him grow in his second season.
Unfortunately, Norwood had a lackluster second campaign and now finds himself buried on the safety depth chart. He was effectively phased out last season, and when he did see the field, his play was poor. Specifically, his tackling was an issue, and it made him an ineffective roster member.
I would argue that Norwood is on the outside looking in right now, and if he continues to struggle, he will likely slip further down the depth chart. Those negatives aside, the slot defender is wide open right now, and Norwwod could provide himself as an option there. There aren’t many great options there right now, and Norwood has some success there as a rookie.
I don’t expect much noise from him early on, but I am closely monitoring him to hopefully avoid any negative news. He isn’t receiving first-team slot work, but I would hope to see him join that rotation sooner than later. To me, that is his only path to a roster spot.
How will the Steelers use DeMarvin Leal?
A faller in the draft last year, DeMarvin Leal was scooped up by the Steelers in the third round. He was a disruptive pass rusher at Texas A&M, but had some questions about his size and fit in a NFL defense. Pittsburgh has only added to the puzzle, as Leal proved to be a chess piece for the defense, lining up all over the defensive line and even as an edge rusher.
While versatility is a good trait to have, Leal would also benefit from finding one position to focus on as opposed to a multitude that he needs to be proficient in. Personally, I want to see him bulk up a little and become more of an interior pass rusher. Given the lack of edge depth though, I’m not sure that is the plan.
While Leal has been a hot name to mention, as some expect him to break out, I want to see him settle more into one position as opposed to playing everywhere. Even if that is as an edge rusher, Leal needs to learn the ropes of whatever position this team wants him to play so he can properly learn the role.
With OTAs here, Leal will hopefully see some more defined work and become more accomplished in one position. At the bare minimum, it would be nice to hear about him having a nice camp and showing some growth from his rookie season, as he figures to be a contributor this season.
Can Mark Robinson start for the Steelers?
Despite overhauling the linebacker room (again) this offseason, the Steelers still find themselves relatively shallow at the position. The three core starters from last season are all gone, and Pittsburgh is banking on new addition Cole Holcomb to be the guy to save this group going forward.
Also added was Elandon Roberts, who can be a contributor on early downs given his ability to play the run. That said, I really want to see Mark Robinson take on that role given his youth and the talent he flashed at times as a rookie.
Robinson was drafted in the seventh round last year after converting from running back to linebacker. He had a really strong camp, and while it took him a while to see the field, he eventually found a role on the defense late in the season. He was far from perfect, but he showed some ability as a run defender.
Holcomb figures to be the primary starter this season, but the team will need a running mate for at least base defense and run-downs. While Roberts can handle that role, I’m rooting for Robinson to lock that job down. He proved to be a better fit than I thought he would as a rookie, and I am excited to see his growth this offseason.
Where will Steelers use Connor Heyward?
I was pleasantly surprised with Connor Heyward last season. The sixth-round rookie doesn’t have a traditional body type for a tight end, but he figured to be a core special teams player and serve as more of an H-Back for this offense. He certainly didn’t disappoint on special teams, proving to be a core contributor there.
The Steelers surprisingly used Heyward effectively on offense though. He was used in a variety of alignments and even as a traditional tight end. He wasn’t a huge contributor, but he served a valuable role and helped this team win down the stretch. I’m excited to see what his role becomes this season.
It seems likely that Heyward serves as the fullback when needed given the fact that Derek Watt is no longer with the team. The team could completely switch Heyward’s position, but he proved to be valuable in multiple roles. While I’m fine with him handling fullback work, he should continue to be a hybrid player.
While I haven't seen where he is working yet, I do hope that the team keeps him in his versatile role. He proved last season that he can play multiple roles, and with the fullback position being so specialized, I want him to continue seeing tight ends snaps. He should have a bigger role in this offense though no matter what.
Will Kendrick Green revive his Steelers career?
I had a subtle suspicion that Kendrick Green might not be completely done with this team offseason. While the former third-round pick has been one of the bigger busts in recent Steelers memory, the team is also lacking options at center. While Green was abysmal there as a rookie, he may end up being the best option to back up current starter Mason Cole.
This was apparent in OTAs, as Green ran as the second-team center during drills. While many will overreact to this and complain about how badly he has played, I will take the optimistic take. Green is entering his third season with the team, and he has had a full offseason to learn the lines system that Pat Meyer teaches.
No, Green isn’t going to push Cole for the starting job, but if he can at least become a viable backup, it would give some sort of return on the pick. It also isn’t like there is a lot of great competition behind him. Center is the thinnest position on the roster, and I am excited to see if Green can become at least a backup for this team.
While OTAs won’t decide much, it is a good time to get a look at some of the further down-the-roster players for the team. There have been countless success stories of players shining in OTAs becoming contributors for this team, and I hope that legacy continues this offseason.