The Pittsburgh Steelers produced a solid draft class during the 2025 NFL Draft. Not every rookie has locked in a roster spot, however. These first-time NFL players must earn respect. No matter if you are a first-rounder or someone who struggled to hear their name get called, you must earn everything that comes to you in the professional ranks.
Donte Kent is learning how quickly opportunities can be lost.
Pittsburgh used its last selection in the 2025 draft on Kent. He had a lot of starting experience coming out of college, but many didn't project him as a draftable player. He suited up for Central Michigan, a small program that plays in the MAC. Kent is prepared to battle Beanie Bishop at training camp for the starting slot cornerback role, but things have changed in a hurry.
His chances of earning a roster spot seemed pretty high before the Steelers added Jalen Ramsey in a blockbuster trade. Kent could've pushed Bishop for the starting job before acquiring a star cornerback like Ramsey, but everything has flipped. Ramsey's position flexibility might've just ruined Kent's career with the Steelers before he even hits the field at training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers out of room on the roster for Donte Kent at the start of training camp
The clearest avenue for Kent to make the Steelers roster would be beating out Bishop.
It is unlikely Mike Tomlin will want to bypass an experienced player like Bishop for a seventh-round rookie, but it's not impossible. Bishop didn't have the strongest start to his career last season, and even though he has the inside track to make the roster, a poor training camp could shove him off the depth chart.
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Another thing working in the rookie's favor is his ability to play on special teams. Pittsburgh drafted him as a cornerback and returner. If he plays terrific on special teams, he could shoot ahead of players at the bottom of the roster. Winning a roster spot from special teams' success won't be ideal, but it is a pathway for him to make the team, just not the best course of action.
The addition of Ramsey sinks Kent's roster probability, but it's not the end of the world for the rookie cornerback.
Kent had a tough time getting drafted, which means he should have a chip on his shoulder entering training camp. He has played inside and outside cornerback during his collegiate career. That type of versatility should allow different opportunities if the coaches allow.
Making the final 53-man roster won't be an easy task for Kent. Ramsey seems prepared to take the bulk of the starting snaps at slot cornerback. He might slide around the secondary, and that will open up snaps for Bishop or Kent. Making a team's roster as a late-round pick is never easy, but things have gotten more difficult for the Steelers' rookie before training camp even starts.