Training camp has barely begun, and players are still feeling fresh as they prepare for summer practices. We tend to focus on who has a decent chance of making the squad this year, but the reality is harsh for those who do not. The Steelers’ 53-man roster is still several weeks away from being finalized. It will take time for players to establish themselves on the roster, let alone on the depth chart, before the regular season begins.

Those who find themselves on the outside looking in do not have to give up their NFL dreams.

Anthony Averett
Anthony Averett’s career troubles have not been caused by a lack of talent.

He cannot maintain his health. For the most part, he has the potential to be an NFL contributor if he can remain on the field. The Steelers signed him to provide veteran depth at both the slot and outside cornerback positions. There are numerous defensive backfield alternatives for Pittsburgh. If Averett performs well, he should be able to earn a spot on another team’s squad.

Dylan Cook

Dylan Cook appears to have a decent chance of making the roster heading into training camp, but he must earn it.

Last year, he made the roster despite the fact that many people knew little about the tackle. He might be a valuable depth player to keep around, especially if Dan Moore Jr. struggles to move to the right side. If Cook is unable to make the Steelers, there are other tackle-hungry teams hunting for a young guy like him. They could always keep him on the practice squad, but hiding him would be difficult.

Grayland Arnold

Grayland Arnold, like Averett before him, will face a difficult road to making the roster.

When it comes to defensive backs, Pittsburgh boasts a plethora of talented players. Arnold has previous NFL experience and can play in the slot. This former undrafted player will focus on special teams. If he can prove himself as a slot corner and perform on special teams, he could stick. In truth, this could be a springboard for him to go somewhere else after training camp.

Quez Watkins

From one crowded room to another with the Steelers’ wide out group.

They have a lot of prospective possibilities, but none of them have sparked much interest among supporters. As the Steelers prepare for training camp, there has been a lot of trade talk. Pittsburgh might not be Quez Watkins’ ideal home. He is an unproven player who is a depth option. If he fails with the Black and Gold, another team will most likely be in need of receiving depth.

Demarvin Leal

DeMarvin Leal, among those listed below, may have the best chance of making the team heading into training camp.

If he fails, several teams will be interested in the Steelers’ former third-round pick. He has not been able to maintain consistency on the field. This is a crucial training camp for him, not just to secure a spot in Pittsburgh, but also to demonstrate that he can be more than just a depth piece. Make no mistake: Leal is still young, and another team would assume he has more potential. If Pittsburgh leaves, he will immediately find another work.

Biggest notes from the beginning of Steelers training camp.

We’re only a few practices into Steelers training camp, and the players haven’t even put on full pads yet, but we’ve already acquired some valuable insights. The first training camp workouts revealed where players stood on the early depth chart, what roles they may play in 2024, and what dramatic changes have occurred on both sides of the ball.

Some of these aspects will change as practice progresses. But for now, these are the most crucial early takeaways from Steelers training camp.

Early Steelers Training Camp Notes

No Steelers camp hold-ins.

The Pittsburgh Steelers need all hands on deck. When Cameron Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris arrived at camp, there were worries about their ability to ‘hold in’. All three players are entering their contract years and looking for new deals.

Fortunately, this is not the case. The Steelers have dealt with this before, yet every able-bodied man is on the field for practice.

No Russell Wilson means more opportunities for Justin Fields.
Russell Wilson skipped the Steelers’ first few training camp practices,

Russell Wilson missed the Steelers’ first few training camp practices due to a calf problem. This means more possibilities for Justin Fields.

Mike Tomlin assured the media that nothing had changed and that Wilson remained in ‘pole position’ to start in Week 1. Fields used the extra practice time to build chemistry with the first-team offense.

Offensive tackle roles.

Those hoping to see Troy Fautanu move into the starting lineup will have to wait. To begin training camp, Fautanu was only working as the second-team right tackle. Meanwhile, Dan Moore Jr. was the starting left tackle and Broderick Jones the starting right tackle.

The Steelers have stated that they want Jones to return to left tackle, so the decision to start camp with him at right tackle is interesting. It’s realistic to presume Jones will eventually take over as starting left tackle, while Fautanu will get first-team practices at right tackle. During the team’s second session, Fautanu got some first-team work at right tackle.

Starting wide receivers.

Fans were eager to learn which wide receivers would join the starting offense when the Steelers began training camp. We now know the answer. In three-receiver sets, George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III have been running with the first team.

We knew Pickens would start; that was a guarantee. However, with the Steelers signing three receivers (Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller) and selecting Roman Wilson in the third round of the NFL Draft, it was unknown who would start camp at the top of the depth chart.

This is definitely open to change, but it appears that Jefferson and Austin will get the first go at starting with Pickens.

Cornerback pecking order.

With the Steelers trading WR Diontae Johnson for CB Donte Jackson this offseason, we knew Jackson would start alongside Joey Porter Jr. But what about the talented cornerbacks behind them in the depth chart?

So far, Darius Rush appears to have a competitive advantage over Cory Trice Jr. as the first boundary cornerback off the bench. Rush and Trice both entered the league through the 2023 NFL Draft. Rush signed with the Steelers after being released by the Colts and Chiefs, while Trice was on injured reserve for his rookie season due to an ACL injury. This will be a struggle worth watching.

Arthur Smith’s fingerprints on offensive

One thing is clear early in Steelers training camp: Arthur Smith has his hands all over Pittsburgh’s offense. Smith is sticking to the offense that helped him succeed with the Titans in 2019 and 2020. He sees the Steelers relying heavily on play-action and bootleg passes, as well as heavy personnel combinations.

This should be a pleasant difference from what we’ve seen with Matt Canada over the last three seasons. Smith’s utilization of frequent play-action during practice is a solid indication that defenses will have to be on their toes in 2024.