One player on every AFC roster bubble Steelers need to target

Steelers training camp is in full swing right now, and the team is rightfully trying to sort out their wheat from the chaff. Meanwhile, the rest of the league is working out the same kinks with their respective rosters, and once cutdown day comes, a flood of new faces will be available to be signed.

The majority of those names will stick with their current teams on the practice squad, but the Steelers have shown a tendency to add to their roster late in the process to fill out their needs. This could be done by a quick trade before cutdown day, or they could wait things out and try to sign one of these veterans assuming they don’t make their initial roster.

This isn’t an uncommon thing, as dozens of players typically go from camp cut to on a new roster in a few short days. Such was the case last year with Tanner Muse, whom the Steelers cut only for the Chargers to claim him and add him to the team (the Steelers did a similar thing with Desmond King). I’ve looked over both the AFC and NFC (coming soon) rosters and have compiled one roster bubble player per team that should interest the Steelers.

Steelers targets in the AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Charlie Kolar, TE

The Ravens appear to be doing the opposite of what the Steelers are offensively, as they are doing away with a lot of their heavier looks in favor of more spread systems. This could mean that depth-tight end Charlie Kolar misses the roster. He has been outperformed by fellow fourth-round pick Isaiah Likely and doesn’t have a sure roster spot.

The Steelers are building a heavier offense that wants to utilize their tight ends more, and if the opportunity presents itself to add Kolar as the fourth tight end, you should. He is a viable blocker and a big-body target. Add in his special teams ability and he is the complete package for a depth piece.

Cincinnati Bengals: Jay Tufele, DL

The Bengals aren’t flush with names that make sense as potential roster bubble options. Squarely on the bubble is Jay Tufele, as the depth at defensive tackle for the Bengals is rather strong. He lacks the traditional build that the team covets in defensive linemen, but instead has the smaller, penetrating style of play.

The Steelers defensive line has a lot of questions to answer. Assuming the depth players along the line aren’t up to par, an option like Tufele could provide a unique build to the team. DeMarvin Leal was supposed to be that, but if he can’t turn his career around this year Tufele could be a fit.

Cleveland Browns: Siaki Ika, DL

I went back and forth with this one for a while, but ultimately I think Siaki Ika is the most logical Browns player for the Steelers currently on their bubble. Fans will only have to think back one offseason to remember Ika as a prospect. The former third-round pick out of Baylor was a draft-day slider due to his play style. His size and lack of pass rush make him solely a run stuffer and space occupier.

The odds of Ika ever becoming a top defensive lineman were stunted by this fact, but for the Steelers, who still employ a traditional 3-4 defense, having a space occupier could be a big win. It would allow Keeanu Benton to move around more, as Ika can play the interior in base defense. Shoutout to David Bell, who almost cracked this list at receiver, but Ika had more team interest last draft season.

Steelers targets in the AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB

The Bills have one of the better rosters in the league, but their roster bubble doesn’t inspire a lot of top names that make sense for the team. A name that has remained in the trade conversation is former first-round pick Kaiir Elam. The Bills were reportedly shopping him at the deadline last year but a deal never materialized.

There is hope that he can take over the starting role on the outside, but if his struggles continue he could be on the trade block. I doubt Buffalo would just cut him, but a swap of picks could bring him to the Steelers for cheap. He would be another outside cornerback to consider using alongside Joey Porter for the long term.

Miami Dolphins: Jeff Wilson, RB

Akin to the Bills, the Dolphins figure to be one of the better teams in the NFL, but their roster bubble is full of uninspiring names. While running back is certainly taken care of up front for the Steelers, they could look to add to the depth in the room. Even with Cordarrelle Patterson eventually returning, the team may go heavy at the position given their desire to run the ball.

Jeff Wilson has been a bit player for quite a few teams, and he always seems to find some level of success wherever he goes. The Dolphins have a loaded running back room and Wilson is a long shot to make the final roster. If Pittsburgh wants to shore up their depth at the position and no one else shines in camp, Wilson would be a logical target.

New England Patriots: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

The general expectation from the Patriots seems to be that they will go into the season without JuJu Smith-Schuster on their roster. He has struggled to find his footing since his jumpstarted years with the Steelers, and a reunion makes a lot of sense on paper. The need at receiver is well documented, and Smith-Schuster fits in with what this offense wants to do.

He would have to be willing to play for the minimum, but at this point, he can’t expect much more given his poor play. He can resume his role in the slot and provide the team with a more established second option, assuming he can be had for cheap this year.

New York Jets: Brandin Echols, CB

The Steelers have a lot of questions in their cornerback room. From who will start in the slot to who can play on the outside long-term, this team needs to get this room secured. While we have seen some early returns from undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop, Brandin Echols could provide a veteran presence assuming the Jets cut him.

Echols was, at one point, a starter for the Jets before they revamped their cornerback room. Now, he is depth in the slot and may not make the squad altogether. If he were to be cut, he could come in and serve as a depth player on the outside and even start in the slot.

Steelers targets in the AFC South

Houston Texans: John Metchie, WR

Another receiver who hasn’t quite panned out, John Metchie is staring at some long odds of making that revamped roster. Nico Collins got a big money deal, Tank Dell was impressive as a rookie, and Stefon Diggs rounds out a formidable trio of receivers. While Metchie has some pedigree attached to his name, he doesn’t have much else going for him.

The Steelers could come sniffing if he is cut in order to round out their receiver room. He is a natural slot option but can play on the outside if needed. He was an efficient player in college who has yet to make consistent plays as a pro, but a lot of that stemmed from him missing his rookie season. If he can’t stay in Houston, the Steelers are a logical home for him next year.

Indianapolis Colts: Alec Pierce, WR

The Colts roster isn’t flush with names that make a lot of sense for the Steelers. Using the receiver well again, Alec Pierce hasn’t lived up to his draft status, and while he is reportedly making some strides at camp this year, he will more than likely lose his battle to rookie AD Mitchell. His loss could be the Steelers gain.

It seems highly unlikely that the Colts cut Pierce, but he could be had for a cheap trade. He is a bigger receiver who would align on the outside but runs good routes and has capable hands. Adding him doesn’t solve the receiver woes by any means, but it provides the team with another option.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Montaric Brown, CB

While the Steelers have their starting cornerbacks for this season already set, the future is unclear beyond Porter right now. While the hope is that Cory Trice or Darius Rush will settle into that role, neither have been overly impressive so far in camp. It could behoove the team to add another young name to this mix for the future.

Montaric Brown is a former seventh-round pick who was forced into a starting role due to injuries last year. He was serviceable, and while he still needs to refine a few things, he has the potential to be a second option for a defense. The Steelers could rotate him this year and open the door to him taking on the second cornerback spot if the Jaguars decide to cut him this year.

Tennessee Titans: Jaelyn Duncan, OT

The Steelers were all over the tackle class last year in the draft, and one of the later names that they showed interest in was Jaelyn Duncan. The Maryland product looks the part with his size and athleticism, but he struggles with the nuances of the position. This caused him to fall to the sixth round of the draft a year ago.

He saw action with the Titans, including five starts, and he was ok, albeit his play got worse the longer he was exposed to defenses. As a fourth tackle though, you could do a lot worse, and he at least has the potential to get better. If Dylan Cook regresses from a year ago, Duncan could be a prime bubble target.

Steelers targets in the AFC West

Denver Broncos: Tim Patrick, WR

The Broncos could be a team to watch this year for the Steelers. Not because they are going to be a good team, but because there are serious rumors of quite a few talented veterans getting cut by the end of training camp. I settled on Tim Patrick as my primary target, as a receiver is the team's biggest need, but numerous names on the bubble make sense.

To Patrick’s credit, he was a good player a few years back but has suffered through season-ending injuries in back-to-back years. He fills the big-slot role well though, and that is a role Pittsburgh has traditionally liked. If cut, he makes a lot of sense. Shout out to Damarri Mathis and Javonte Williams, as both are reportedly on the bubble and would make great additions to the roster.

Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WR

Sticking at receiver, Skyy Moore has yet to live up to the expectations of a second-round pick. He has failed to find a consistent role and has yet to establish a rapport with Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs added several new names to the receiver room, so the hope is for more consistent play from that group, meaning Moore could be a cut.

The Steelers had a lot of interest in Moore before he was drafted but decided to take George Pickens when they were on the clock instead. Now, they could be in a position to have both on their roster if the Chiefs part ways with him. It would provide the team with another name to use in the slot if he were drafted.

Las Vegas Raiders, Byron Young, DL

It is rare to see a third-round pick get cut outright in their second season, but it does happen. For Byron Young, he has to feel the heat right now. The Raiders revamped their defensive line room this offseason by signing Christian Wilkins to a mega deal. Worse yet, after Antonio Pierce took over as coach, Young essentially saw his already small role vanish.

The Steelers have to pounce on Young if given the chance. As mentioned, their defensive line has a lot of long-term questions that need to be answered. Young may not be an answer, but taking a shot on a former third-round pick only one year into his NFL career is a no-brainer.

Los Angeles Chargers: Troy Dye

The Steelers decided to bring back veteran special teams linebacker Tyler Matakevich this offseason. While he contributes to the names on the off-ball linebacker depth chart, he is here solely for special teams. If the team decides he doesn’t have it in him anymore, they could look towards a potential Chargers cut.

Troy Dye never translated his collegiate success on defense to the NFL level, but he has become a core special teams player through his four years in the league. If that isn’t enough to sway the Chargers to keep him, Pittsburgh could add him to the room. While his defensive play is unspectacular, he is solid on special teams and would provide a much younger alternative to Matakevich.