Players to Watch – Redzone Insider

Locks To Make the Steelers 53-Man Roster

Steelers Training Camp is well underway. So far, they have stayed pretty healthy through the first 5 days of camp. The worst injury has been rookie WR Roman Wilson who is week to week with an Ankle injury.

With the first week of camp almost in the books. I was looking to see who I think are locks to make the 53-Man Roster. I came up with forty-six players who should be locked in.

Let’s get to it.

Russell Wilson, QB
Justin Fields, QB
Kyle Allen, QB
Najee Harris, RB
Jaylen Warren, RB
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB
George Pickens, WR
Calvin Austin III, WR
Roman Wilson, WR
Roman Wilson, WR
Pat Freiermuth, TE
Connor Heyward, TE
Darnell Washington, TE
Dan Moore Jr, OT
Broderick Jones, OT
Troy Fautanu, OT
Zach Frazier, C
Isaac Seumalo, G
James Daniels, G
Mason McCormick, G
Nate Herbig, G
Keeanu Benton, NT
Cam Heyward, DT
Montravius Adams, NT
Dean Lowery, DT
Larry Ogunjobi, DT
Demarvin Leal, DE
Patrick Queen, ILB
TJ Watt, OLB
Alex Highsmith, OLB
Elandon Roberts, ILB
Peyton Wilson, ILB
Nick Herbig, OLB
Cole Holcomb, ILB
Jeremiah Moon, OLB
Tyler Matakevich, ILB
Joey Porter Jr, CB
Donte Jackson, CB
Darius Rush, CB
Damontae Kazee, S
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
Deshon Elliott, S
Miles Killebrew, S
Chris Boswell, K
Cameron Johnston, P
Christian Kuntz, LS

Steelers Undrafted Free Agent Signings

The Steelers have signed five players right after the seventh round ended. They have been busy the past couple of days, with inviting players to tryout during their Rookie Minicamp. And they also made a couple of more signings today.

Something interesting they are doing this year is hosting free agent CB Anthony Averett for a tryout during their Rookie Minicamp.

Let’s get into the moves.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

John Rhys Plumlee, QB Central Florida
Daijun Edwards, RB Georgia
Julius Welschof, OLB Charlotte
Jacoby Windham, OLB Michigan State
Beanie Bishop, CB West Virginia
Darion McKenzie, CB Merrimack

Rookie Minicamp Tryouts

Trey Brown, C Jacksonville State
Johnny Hudson, DL Fresno State
Bryce Sheppert, DB Kent State
Jett Stanley, DT Sacramento State
Xavier Wade, WR Ferris State

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 13 vs Cardinals

The Steelers are coming into this game with a 7-4 record and the healthiest they have been this season. It’s going to be interesting to see if they can continue to what they did on offense against the Bengals last week. Which looked to be one of Kenny Pickett’s best game of his career.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
22 Najee Harris, RB
30 Jaylen Warren, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
19 Calvin Austin, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
80 Darnell Washington, TE
77 Broderick Jones, OT
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
78 James Daniels, G

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
99 Larry Ogunjobe, DE
97 Cam Heyward, DT
90 TJ Watt, OLB
38 Mykal Walker, ILB
93 Mark Robinson, ILB
56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
29 Joey Porter Jr, CB
20 Patrick Peterson, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 12 @ Bengals

It’s another tough AFC North matchup for the Steelers, but they have some good news going into this game. They finally don’t have Matt Canada as the Offensive Coordinator.

The Steelers are coming into this game with playoff hopes alive and in the hunt for the division. It’s going to be interesting to see what the offense is going be with Quarterbacks Coach Mike Sullivan as the play caller.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
30 Jaylen Warren, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
18 Diontae Johnson, WR
11 Allen Robinson, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
80 Darnell Washington, TE
77 Broderick Jones, OT
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
73 Isaac Seumalo, G

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
97 Cam Heyward, DT
98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
38 Mykal Walker, ILB
50 Elandon Roberts, ILB
90 TJ Watt, OLB
24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
17 Trenton Thompson, FS
23 Damontae Kazee, SS

Special Teams

Pressley Harvin III, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 10 vs. Packers

The Steelers are coming into this second in the division, with a record of 5-3. Somehow, they keep finding a way to win and the look to continue to do that this week against a new look Packers team.

The Packers are coming into Pittsburgh after beating a bad Rams team. Jordan Love and the offense are going to be a test for this defense that has trouble stopping teams that should be an easy game.

Kenny Pickett and this offense needs to control the time of possession in this game, the defense doesn’t need to be on the field more than the offense. One way to do this is to get the run game going right away, they need to get Najee and Jaylen Warren going early.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
22 Najee Harris, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
19 Calvin Austin III, WR
83 Connor Heyward, TE
80 Darnell Washington, TE
- 77 Broderick Jones, OT
- 61 Mason Cole, C
- 78 James Daniels, G
- 73 Isaac Seumalo, G

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
97 Cam Heyward, DT
96 Breiden Fehoko, NT
90 TJ Watt, OLB
93 Mark Robinson, ILB
51 Nick Herbig, OLB
54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
21 Darius Rush, CB
23 Damontae Kazee, S

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 7 @ Rams

The Steelers look to break their streak of losing the first game following a bye week against the Rams this week. Kenny Pickett gets another weapon back with wide receiver Diontae Johnson back from IR. This is going to be a big test for the secondary trying to contain wide receiver Puka Nucua and Cooper Kupp.

This game is going to be a true test for rookie cornerback Joey Porter jr. He should be seeing more playing time with the release of veteran cornerback Desmond King.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
30 Jaylen Warren, RB
18 Diontae Johnson, WR
14 George Pickens, WR
80 Darnell Washington, TE
87 Rodney Williams, TE
73 Isaac Seumalo, G
61 Mason Cole, C
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
99 Larry Ogunjobi, DE
90 TJ Watt, OLB
54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
51 Nick Herbig, OLB
29 Levi Wallace, CB
24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
21 Darius Rush, CB
39 Minkah Fitpatrick, FS

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 5 vs Ravens

The Steelers season hasn’t been going the way we all thought it would be following the impressive pre-season showing they had. Matt Canada has gone back to his old ways of play calling. The defense has been struggling to stop the pass and being consistent in stopping the run.

This is going to be a big game for the offense to somehow bounce back to how they were looking during the pre-season. Or else this is going to be along rest of the season.

Rookie OT Broderick Jones is going to be making his first start today. This is looking to be a good team for him to go up against, since they don’t have a clear cut stand out pass rusher.

The running backs are going on their game today in pass blocking. The Ravens like to bring the blitz with their secondary players. Safety Kyle Hamilton is their leader in sacks with three, even though they all came in one game. But that is going to something to look for.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
22 Najee Harris, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
11 Allen Robinson, WR
83 Connor Heyward, TE
80 Darnell Washington, TE
87 Rodney Williams, TE
71 Nate Herbig, G
77 Boderick Jones, OT

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
96 Breiden Fehoko, DT
99 Larry Ogunjobi, DT
90 TJ Watt, OLB
93 Mark Robinson, ILB
55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
44 Markus Golden, OLB
24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS
23 Damontae Kazee, SS

Special Teams

3 Brad Wing, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 4 @ Texans

The Steelers look to continue to keep their win streak going in Houston, with back-to-back wins on the road. The Texans are not a team to think is going to be an easy win. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has picked up what it takes to an NFL quarterback quickly.

This is also a good game to see an expanded role for second year running back Jaylen Warren, who has been impressive in both the run and pass game. This is also a good game to for the young defensive players to get some good reps.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
30 Jaylen Warren, RB
19 Calvin Austin III, WR
14 George Pickens, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
83 Connor Heyward, TE/FB
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
61 Mason Cole, C
71 Nate Herbig, G
76 Chuks Okorafor, OT

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
57 Montravius Adams, NT
98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
90 TJ Watt, OLB
51 Nick Herbig, OLB
29 Levi Wallace, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

Special Teams

3 Brad Wing, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 1 vs. 49ers

Steelers Football is finally back. This is a good matchup to start the season off with. This game will be good to see if 2nd year quarterback Kenny Pickett to show what he can do against a very good defense.

The 49ers offense is a good matchup for our Defense to see how our run stopping ability has improved since last season.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

8 Kenny Pickett, QB
22 Najee Harris, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
18 Diontae Johnson, WR
19 Calvin Austin III, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
83 Connor Heyward, TE/FB
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
61 Mason Cole, C
76 Chuks Okorafor, OT

Defense

95 Keeanu Benton, NT
97 Cam Heyward, DT
98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
50 Elandon Roberts, ILB
90 TJ Watt, OLB
20 Patrick Peterson, CB
29 Levi Wallace, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS

Preseason Week 3: Steelers @ Falcons Players to Watch

The Steelers entering the game at 2-0. The starting offense is on fire, starting each game with a fast start to the endzone. If they can keep it going it’s going to be a shock for the other 31 teams around the league.

This is a big game for players still trying to make the roster, and roster battles at several positions. One of the top battles going into this game is 2nd string nose tackle, will Montravius Adams win out or does newly signed Breiden Fehoko win out.

This is a big game UDFA OLB David Perales. Perales has been a surprise this training camp and preseason. He’s been showing sparks as to why he has a chance to make this roster.

Let’s get into the players.

Offense

2 Mason Rudolph, QB
33 Xazavien Valladay, RB
38 Greg Bell, RB
13 Myles Boykin, WR
81 Zach Gentry, TE
87 Rodney Williams, TE
74 Spencer Anderson, OL
53 Kendrick Green, C
68 William Dunkle, G
- 67 Le’Raven Clark, OT

Defense

57 Montravius Adams, NT
91 Jonathan Marshall, DT
66 James Nyamwaya, DT
40 David Perales, OLB
48 Quincy Roche, OLB
44 Tanner Morgan, ILB
53 Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB
41 Kenny Robinson, SS
- 42 James Pierre, CB
35 Luq Barcoo, CB