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Devlin Hodges seems poised to retain his roster spot in 2020.
4 months from at the moment the Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their 2020 season with a Monday Night time Soccer sport on the New York Giants.
Following is an early have a look at what the Steelers’ 53-man roster may appear like come September.
Quarterback (3)
The quarterback room will doubtless embrace the three QBs who began video games final 12 months: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges. Some observers consider that Paxton Lynch or J.T. Barrett will problem Hodges for the third-string QB job, however this appears unlikely. Throughout a current interview with Professional Soccer Discuss, Steelers normal supervisor Kevin Colbert stated, “We’re comfy with Mason Rudolph as a backup and Devlin Hodges within the combine. Between the 2 of them, they had been 8-6 final 12 months.”
Colbert did go on to say Lynch, saying, “We’re very comfy figuring out if want be Mason and Devlin and/or Devlin and Mason and even Paxton Lynch [can fill in capably].” However to make certain, the Steelers wish to discover out extra about what they've—or don’t have—with Rudolph, as they think about who may substitute Roethlisberger within the subsequent 12 months or three.
Operating Again (5)
Barring harm, James Connor would be the Steelers’ characteristic again, with Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell, Jr. enjoying assist roles.
Rookie fourth-round draft alternative Anthony McFarland, Jr. has intriguing potential and will shortly set up himself as Connor’s backup. Some have fretted that McFarland may very well be one other Dri Archer, drafted by the Steelers within the third spherical in 2014 after he ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.26 seconds on the mix. Each McFarland and Archer are 5-8, however that’s the place the comparisons finish. Archer performed at simply 173 kilos, and would go to the bottom in a stiff wind. Then again, McFarland’s construct is one thing nearer to that of Barry Foster, who averaged 4.Three yards per carry over the course of a five-year profession with the Steelers within the early nineties.
Free agent acquisition Derek Watt would be the staff’s one and solely fullback, having signed a three-year contract through the offseason.
Broad Receiver (6)
Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington are locks to make the staff, as is second-round draft choose Chase Claypool, who should see lot of time on particular groups as a rookie. Deon Cain is the most effective wager to grow to be the fifth receiver, with Ryan Switzer the final man in, until a first-year participant like Saeed Blacknall or second-year man Quadree Henderson takes an enormous step ahead.
Tight Finish (3)
Traditionally, the Steelers maintain three tight ends of their roster, and appear doubtless to take action once more this 12 months, partially as a result of Vance McDonald and free agent acquisition Eric Ebron haven’t precisely been sturdy.
Final 12 months’s fifth-round draft choose Zach Gentry figures to be the third tight finish, whereas Christian Scotland-Williamson, initially signed by the Steelers through the NFL’s Worldwide Pathway program, continues to chase his NFL dream. Scotland-Williamson spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons on the staff’s follow squad dream whereas making an attempt to make the transition from rugby participant to tight finish. Extra notably, he lately opened up about his mother and father’ battle with COVID-19—and the horror of watching them wrestle from afar.
Offensive Line (9)
Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Alejandro Villanueva, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor and Zach Banner are all anticipated to deal with key roles, with veteran free agent Stefen Wisniewski signing a two-year contract to play guard and/or heart. Fourth-round draft choose Kevin Dotson figures to make the roster as properly, whereas final 12 months’s seventh-round draft choose Derwin Grey has the most effective likelihood of changing into the ninth offensive lineman, having spent final season on the follow squad.
Defensive Line (6)
Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu are fixtures, whereas Chris Wormley figures to make the staff after being acquired in a commerce with the Ravens. After that issues are up within the air. Isaiah Buggs, drafted with a sixth-round choose final 12 months, ought to stick as a fifth defensive lineman, however one can by no means low cost Daniel McCullers, who has been with the Steelers since 2014, regardless of solely 36 whole tackles and a pair of.5 sacks over the course of his profession.
In the meantime, Henry Mondeaux may make the leap from the follow squad to the lively roster, although there’s definitely room for an additional darkish horse candidate to emerge, which explains the addition of rookie undrafted free brokers Josiah Coatney (Mississippi) and Calvin Taylor (Kentucky). Seventh-round choose Carlos Davis seems like a challenge, and appears destined for the 2020 follow squad.
Exterior Linebacker (4)
T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree are the starters, and third-round choose Alex Highsmith will likely be groomed as a possible alternative for Dupree within the occasion that Bud leaves in free company after the 2020 season. That leaves one spot for both Ola Adeniyi or Tuzar Skipper, or a lately signed free agent.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Devin Bush and Vince Williams will take up two spots, however there may be loads of alternative for newcomers to make an impression. As of at the moment, Ulysees Gilbert III and Robert Spillane are the probably candidates to make the staff, but it surely appears unlikely that each will earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Except a recently-added free agent impresses, the Steelers are more likely to signal a veteran free agent or make a pickup after rosters are lower down.
Cornerback (5)
Joe Haden and Steven Nelson are the established starters, whereas Mike Hilton will return to fill the position of slot nook for at the very least yet another 12 months. Cameron Sutton and Justin Layne are well-positioned to function the fourth and fifth CBs.
Security (5)
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds are the starters, and backup Jordan Dangerfield lately signed a brand new one-year contract, having distinguished himself on particular groups. Rookie sixth-round choose Antoine Brooks, Jr. and Marcus Allen are the main contenders to function backups, however free agent additions may also have the chance to impress.
Specialists (3)
Chris Boswell would be the placekicker after a bounce-back 12 months in 2019, however punter Jordan Berry should fend off a problem from rookie free agent Corliss Waitman. Kameron Canaday returns because the staff’s lengthy snapper, having signed a brand new two-year contract.
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