One month until the regular season starts for the Steelers as they try to form a team at training camp. Everything is a process this time of year as coaches and front office members try to figure out which players deserve a spot on the final roster.
Those who start camp strong need to keep that momentum for the rest of the season, or they could struggle to maintain a spot with the team. There have been some quality performers at the start of training camp.
If those who started camp off strong keep things going strong, then they could make a big impact this season.
WR Roman Wilson
Pittsburgh wants their problem at receiver to be fixed internally, so maybe a rookie will solve their problem.
Roman Wilson has started training camp hot. He has been arguably the best receiver for the Steelers since camp opened. That is a promising sign, but many predict he will be a slot receiver to start his career. This leaves the receiver problem on the outside still in question. Reports have been circulating about the Steelers convinced they will make a trade to upgrade that position sometime soon.
Unfortunately, Wilson suffered an ankle injury during the team's first padded practice and was carted off the field. The severity of the injury is unclear, as is the amount of time we can expect him to miss.
CB Beanie Bishop
From one rookie to another, but this time Beanie Bishop has been given the keys to the starting slot cornerback job.
After Cam Sutton was handed his suspension, many circled Bishop, an undrafted free agent, as a potential internal option. He has been impressive at training camp thus far, and it even led to one of his competitors at camp, Josiah Scott to get cut. It would be unheard of to have Bishop be the starter in the slot after seemingly being handed the position after a strong mini camp.
If he can keep up his current play, it could solve the Steeler's issues in the slot without having to explore outside options.
P Cameron Johnston
It has been a long time since the Steelers have enjoyed watching a good punter.
With how putrid their offense was last season, it exposed how poor their punting was too. They decided to bite the bullet and sign Cameron Johnston to a big contract in free agency. Things seem to be working out for both Pittsburgh and the player in this regard. Johnston has been tremendous at training camp thus far, and it is something fans have not heard in a while.
DL DeMarvin Leal
Someone who needed a big start to training camp and has delivered is DeMarvin Leal.
Many were starting to leave him off their final roster predictions heading into training camp, but that seems like a mistake. Leal needs to take a step forward this season, or it could become the start of the end for him. He has shown flashes of quality play in the past, but Leal has been a consistent menace thus far. If he can keep that up, then he could earn a role on defense.
TE Pat Freiermuth
Everything about the Steeler's offense in the past failed to include Pat Freiermuth in almost every way.
Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh and will use tight ends a lot. Freiermuth has seen the benefits from this already in training camp as he has started on fire. He remains a popular target on offense during this time of year. He needs a new contract after this season, so keep a lookout for that potentially happening within the next month.