Rookie minicamp was this past weekend for the Steelers, and they spent a lot of time evaluating the talent there. Most of these players lean towards the young side, but there were other options participating that were older than most. All of the big-name draft picks were present, as well as the undrafted rookies that were already signed to the team.
Trying out during rookie minicamp is not always the worst thing, but it shows that you barely have an opportunity. Football in shorts is something that Mike Tomlin likes to say and that is not the best way to show the type of skills you have on the football field. This is a short time for coaches to notice some of these players, but some might have done just enough to earn a contract to move forward in the pre-season process.
Steelers could add a couple specialists to their roster before camp
One of the best stories to come out of tryouts was Alfredo Gachuz, a professional soccer player in Mexico. He has a strong leg and got an amazing shot to try out for the Steelers after the club held a small camp in Mexico. Gachuz did a well enough job to make it to this step, and it is possible that he could get another call.
Does anyone remember Nick Boyle from his days with the Baltimore Ravens? He is back as the former talented tight end is trying to switch to long snapper. It is less of a grind on the body, but he could bring some position flexibility with him since he is a former tight end. Boyle was one of the oldest players at minicamp, but he could be an interesting name to monitor.
An XFL offensive lineman could get a call back from Pittsburgh
Giving players a shot at reviving their football careers is what the XFL has been about. They just came back to life and wrapped up their first season since their return with the Arlington Renegades emerging victorious over the D.C. Defenders in the championship game. Pittsburgh and most other teams in the NFL have added some XFL talent to their rosters.
Providing a bridge is something the XFL wants to do, and thus far they are accomplishing that. Luq Barcoo was just announced to be signing with the black and gold after being the top cover corner in the XFL this past season. Another one of his teammates at the San Antonio Brahmas could be joining him shortly.
The Steelers invited Chidi Okeke to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. He is a massive offensive tackle that fits the bill for what the club normally looks for in the position. Okeke is not going to light the world on fire and become an immediate starter, but he would be a nice addition to challenge for one of the last spots at offensive tackle.
All three of Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, and Chuks Okorafor are locks to make the final roster, barring massive change. There could be one spot up for grabs behind the top swing tackle for this team. That could come down to Le'Raven Clark and whoever challenges him for that potential final spot on the depth chart.
Bringing in inside linebacker competition for depth would be wise
Reports have come out that Kwon Alexander will be visiting the steel city as a visitor. Normally those will include a physical and potential contract negotiation if all goes well. Alexander is coming off a season with the New York Jets and has played for the Saints and 49ers before that. He would provide something that the linebacker group is missing.
No matter the outcome of that visitation, there could be some benefit to continue adding to the inside linebacker group. It has continued to be a glaring need for this defense, despite Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts signing onto the club earlier in free agency. Alexander would solve some problems for the upcoming campaign ahead.
Rookie minicamp can get a couple of players a great chance to turn something into nothing. Terrence Garvin was a great example as he turned a tryout into a respectable NFL career for the everyday player. One linebacker that participated in practices this year that could get a call back is Johnny Buchanan.
He hails from his collegiate ball at Delaware, which is not a powerhouse football program. Buchanan put up some astronomical numbers during his career there as he posted nearly 130 total tackles this past year, a sack, and a forced fumble. His size is what will cause most NFL evaluators to knock him, but you cannot deny his production.
Position flexibility is something this lineman could provide for the Steelers
It is not every day that you see a player that has played on both sides of the ball. There have been plenty of players that have done this in the past, but that was during the early days of football. Since then, players have decided to pick a spot to start at and complete their careers in that position.
There have also been players that changed positions when they got to the NFL. Roosevelt Nix was one of the most notable Steelers that successfully completed that change of position from college to the NFL. He was able to go from being a defensive tackle in college to a solid full back in the league.
One name to watch that could interest the black and gold enough to sign him is Mike Panasiuk. He played defensive line during his college career at Michigan State, but things have changed since turning pro. He did compete in the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks as their starting center.
Panasiuk looks like a character and would be a nice addition to any locker room across the NFL. The Steelers need competition at center for depth spots and that is exactly what this center would provide coming off a full season with the Battlehawks. Signing Panasiuk from rookie minicamp seems like a win-win.
A quarterback with some starting experience could be a nice addition
Other than Boyle participating at minicamp, one of the most experienced players in attendance was Bryce Perkins. He is a former undrafted free agent coming out of the 2020 NFL draft that spent his entire career with the LA Rams. He possesses great size and athleticism for the position, but he has not been able to climb the depth chart.
Except for injuries, Perkins has been the steady third string signal caller on the Rams roster. When injuries started to arise, the club decided to add Baker Mayfield to the team and start him for an extended period. This is make it or break it time for Perkins and his young career.
It is possible that he could revert to either the USFL or XFL to try and gain some quality reps to his resume. Perkins has started a game for the Rams in the past, but that was not the best start the league has ever seen. He has only been able to complete about 55% of his passes in the NFL and has only thrown one touchdown.
Pittsburgh would not be signing Perkins to be a challenger for a top backup spot for the black and gold. That expectation is not fair to him, but he could provide something to try and squeak onto the roster as the third arm. He could battle Tanner Morgan for that spot. Worst comes to worst, he could just be a fourth camp arm for the roster.