The USFL is back again getting ready to kick off their second season since their return. They were able to accomplish what many other startup leagues failed to do in their opening season, finish with a champion. The XFL is in the middle of their schedule right now and has had better results on the field.
It makes a lot of sense for NFL teams to keep an eye on some of the players in these leagues. The Steelers will want to find different ways to improve their roster heading into the pre-season process and the USFL brings a unique possibility along with it. Both the XFL and USFL should see some talent sign onto NFL rosters for a chance to make it onto an NFL squad.
Pittsburgh could look to add a familiar name for competition at kicker
One spot where many might not concentrate on heading into this offseason is special teams. The specialists on the Steelers last season were terrible, besides Christian Kuntz doing a solid job as the long snapper. Both Pressley Harvin III and Chris Boswell should have to earn their starting roles for this upcoming season.
Perhaps the XFL would be another wise decision to find some quality competition for both spots, but the USFL could also be a reliable option. Nick Sciba is scheduled to be the kicker for the New Jersey Generals. He had a cup of coffee with Pittsburgh in 2022 and did well during his brief appearance with the club. They could give him a shot to battle Boswell for the gig if Sciba does well in this upcoming campaign for the Generals.
A former draft bust could be depth on the defensive line if he proves himself
Adding to the defensive line might be best utilized through the NFL Draft later this month. It seems like nose tackle might be the biggest need besides depth and a future potential starter. The Steelers need to find those answers soon and the draft will be the best way to add quality to the trenches of the defensive line.
One of the bigger names participating in the USFL this season is Robert Nkemdiche. He was a highly sought after player coming out of college before he got flagged with some concerns entering his draft year. That caused him to slip some and struggle in the league when he finally got there. He has been on a few practice squads over the past couple of seasons and even played in the USFL last year.
This defensive tackle will play for the Michigan Panthers for another season with the hope of having a monster campaign. He got noticed by the NFL before and will try to get his name back into the spotlight. Perhaps he will be too rich of a player for a bottom depth role for the Steelers defensive line, but he has the pedigree that could warrant a pre-season tryout if he can perform with the Panthers.
Reuben Foster could be an interesting name to monitor in the USFL
Keeping headcases out of Pittsburgh is something fans want to see continue going forward. That could change if Reuben Foster has a great season ahead of him with the Pittsburgh Maulers defense. The Maulers are back, but this time they will be rocking the black and gold colors. They will be playing their home games in Canton, Ohio, which is not very far from the steel city.
Inside linebacker is still an issue even though the Steelers signed two starting capable players at the position in free agency. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts could be solid contributors, but they should not be the only options to start in an ideal world. Adding Foster could become more of an option if the draft does not shake out.
Adding a Pittsburgh player and bringing them onto the Steelers would be an interesting press release. Foster had major red flags off the field in the past, so he would need to check off a lot of boxes from his actions that happened a while ago. If he is a changed person and can play at a high level in the USFL, this could be an interesting addition to at least provide solid competition for either the starters or depth players as well.
Pay attention to some quarterbacks that could interest the Steelers
Bringing a third string quarterback, and potentially a fourth, to training camp will be something the black and gold aim to accomplish. Drafting a player in the later portions of the draft would be one of the better options to develop behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky for the upcoming campaign. Adding someone to the roster that has prior NFL experience and should be a top player in the USFL could provide a more interesting option.
Mason Rudolph is still unsigned and could also be another quarterback that could be brought into the fold in a certain situation. There are a couple of USFL signal callers that could get some looks from NFL scouts heading into this season. One is J'Mar Smith and Case Cookus. Out of the two, Cookus seems like the better NFL ready quarterback.
Cookus is a player that many think of highly entering the upcoming season. That has led to many having him high on their prediction of being the USFL MVP this year. He is a journeyman that has gone between the NFL, Canadian league, and USFL throughout his career. Cookus could be an interesting option for the third guy on the Steelers roster if he balls out as many predict.