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 rosters and have compiled one roster bubble player per team that should interest the Steelers.
Steelers targets in the NFC North
Chicago Bears: OT Larry Borom
The Steelers offensive tackle room is a deep group, and while he is out injured right now, it seems like he is set to be the starting right tackle. Broderick Jones should hopefully be the left tackle, and Dan Moore is a lacking swing tackle due to his inability to play on the right side. Larry Borom isn’t a good starter, but he has had success as a swing tackle and could fill in there if Pittsburgh feels like Moore should be traded.
Detroit Lions: DE John Cominsky
The defensive line isn’t exactly shallow, but the names in the room as depth are lackluster. John Cominsky has profiled as a good defensive end for some time for this team given his size. Long-term, there are a lot of questions in this room, but Cominsky could become a fixture as a top backup for this team.
Green Bay Packers: CB Robert Rochell
It is becoming apparent that the Steelers don’t have quite the depth at outside cornerback as we expected them to. While Cory Trice has consistently played well enough, Darius Rush hasn’t. This team could look to roster cuts to fill out this room. Robert Rochell is a great special teams player and has the size this team wants at cornerback. He could fill in as the fourth option on the depth chart and serve as a core special teams player.
Minnesota Vikings: S Lewis Cine
Safety isn’t a major need for the Steelers, but the team has a history of taking chances on players they loved in the draft. That could be the case with Lewis Cine, as the former first-round pick appears to be on the outs with the Vikings. If he were to be cut, he could try to revitalize his career with a team that was infatuated with him before entering the league.
Steelers targets in the NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: DB Israel Mukuamu
Israel Mukuamu is a true defensive back. While only used sparingly on defense, he has lined up everywhere, including outside cornerback last year, as a box and free safety, and even as an oversized slot defender. He is also an accomplished special teams player. Assuming he gets cut from a crowded Cowboys secondary, he could be a prime target as a depth player and special teams ace.
New York Giants: LB Carter Coughlin
The Giants boast one of the weaker rosters in the league right now, so there aren’t a ton of potential cuts that are appealing to the Steelers. Carter Coughlin has some experience on defense, but he has mostly settled into a special teams role over the past few seasons. He is a younger version of Tyler Matakevich at this point and could be worth an add over him.
Philadelphia Eagles: DL Gabe Hall
I hesitate to put rookies on this list, as it is rare for teams to try and poach the late-round/undrafted player from other rosters. That said, Gabe Hall is a picture-perfect model of what the Steelers want in a defensive end given his length and size. Assuming he misses out on the initial roster, he could be worth a developmental addition.
Washington Commanders: DL Phidarian Mathis
Take everything I just said about Hall and add it to Phidarian Mathis, with an extra dash of NFL experience and pedigree. The Commanders have constantly added to the interior of their defensive line, and Mathis came in as a second-round pick. He hasn’t produced yet, but he fits the mold of what the Steelers want in a defensive end. If cut, he could easily occupy a depth role on the roster.
Steelers targets in the NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: CB Kevin King
Kevin King is a bit of a different target. He was a capable starter for the Packers for a few seasons and earned a prove-it contract last year. He didn’t live up to expectations though and is now fighting for his spot on the Falcons. If cut, he can be a capable third cornerback for the team given his size and experience.
Carolina Panthers: WR Terrace Marshall
I’ll be honest, there aren’t a lot of names on the Panthers roster that interest me. The best fit may be Terrace Marshall. This is entirely based on projection. It seems like Marshall is a yearly breakout name but has yet to live up to the hype. With a revamped receiver room, the Panthers could part ways with Marshall, and he could try to revive his career in Pittsburgh.
New Orleans Saints: LB Khaleke Hudson
The Steelers had brought in Khaleke Hudson for a visit earlier this offseason, but he ultimately decided to sign with the Saints. Now, he finds himself on the roster bubble, and if he were to be cut, he would make a ton of sense for the team. He is a core special teams player who has slowly developed into a capable depth defender. He would be an upgrade over either Mark Robinson or Tyler Matakevich.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: IOL Robert Hainsey
Reports are that interior offensive lineman Nate Herbig is going to be out for some time, so the Steelers could look to the waiver wire to land a backup. Robert Hainsey hasn’t panned out as a starter and the team could move on from him. He is primarily a center who can play some guard, and he would make a lot of sense for this roster considering the injury to Herbig.
Steelers targets in the NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: CB Kei’Trel Clarck or Starling Thomas
I’m going to throw both Kei’Trel Clarck and Starling Thomas on this list, as it seems likely that only one of them makes the Cardinals roster. Both saw extensive time as rookies last year due to the lack of options at cornerback in Arizona, but the rebuilt room will likely push one of them off the roster. Both saw work at outside cornerback last year but also profile as slot cornerbacks.
Las Angles Chargers: CB Tre Tomlinson
Let's keep the defensive back trend going, as the Chargers also have a stiff cornerback competition brewing. Tre Tomlinson didn’t see a lot of work as a rookie, but he has strong NFL bloodlines and, once again, profiles as a slot cornerback. He was also a core special teams player last year, so he can serve a role early if he were to be claimed.
San Fransico 49ers: WR Danny Gray
While everyone is still speculating on Brandon Aiyuk coming to the Steelers, another 49ers receiver could interest the team. Pittsburgh was all over Danny Gray in the predraft process and could take a shot on him assuming he misses out on the roster. He doesn’t solve the issues in the room but provides an intriguing deep threat.
Seattle Seahawks: CB Coby Bryant
The Seahawks are trying Coby Bryant out at safety after two seasons at cornerback. This seems more due to a numbers issue, as he has played well when called upon at cornerback. If he misses the roster, the Steelers could be all over him as a third corner and special teams option.
Frankly, the Seahawks have quite a few names that could interest this team. Dee Eskridge is a versatile receiver who is likely on the outs. Darrell Taylor has been a sack artist since entering the league but struggles to play the run and isn’t a complete player. Stone Forsythe was forced into action last year and held his own at tackle. Any of these names could be realistic targets, assuming the Seahawks release them.