Steelers Training Camp 2023: Predicting the Starting Defense

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. Steelers Training Camp is officially 6 days away from being in full swing. This has been a big offseason for the defense. There are so many new players for the unit.

This is going to be a big camp for the defense to start their rebuilding to be the top defense in the league again. Not only that, but to also help bring another Lombardi to Pittsburgh.

Fans are going to be able to finally see Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter Jr take the field in the black n’ gold for the first time.

Let’s look at the defense.

  • Defensive End: Larry Ogunjobi
  • Nose Tackle: Keeanu Benton
  • Defensive Tackle: Cam Heyward
  • Outside Linebacker: Alex Highsmith
  • Inside Linebacker: Cole Holcomb
  • Inside Linebacker: Elandon Roberts
  • Outside Linebacker: TJ Watt
  • Cornerback: Levi Wallace
  • Cornerback: Patrick Peterson
  • Slot Cornerback: Joey Porter Jr
  • Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • Strong Safety: Keanu Neal

Steelers Training Camp 2023: Predicting the Starting Offense

by James Layton

With the Steelers first practice of training camp taking place in six days. I thought who will be the starting offensive that day. This is going to be first time Kenny Pickett is going to be taking the field at camp as the starting quarterback.

This is going to be a big camp for the offense, they now have a full-time starting quarterback and some key additions to the offensive line. So now is the time to build the chemistry of the whole unit.

Let’s get into the Offense.

  • Quarterback: Kenny Pickett
  • Running Back: Najee Harris
  • Fullback: Monte Pottebaum
  • Wide Receive 1: Diontae Johnson
  • Wide Receiver 2: George Pickens
  • Wide Receiver 3: Allen Robinson
  • Tight End: Pat Freiermuth
  • Left Tackle: Dan Moore Jr
  • Left Guard: Isacc Seumalo
  • Center: Mason Cole
  • Right Guard: James Daniels
  • Right Tackle: Chuks Okorafor

Workout Report for Thursday 7/20

by James Layton

With Training Camp starting, with players going on different injury lists. Teams are starting to bring players in for workouts and visits. Twenty players were brought in for workouts Thursday.

Let’s get into the players.

Browns

  • Quinton Barrow, OT
  • Marcus Baugh, TE
  • Levi Wallace, DE
  • Noah Dawkins, LB
  • Dillon Doyle, LB
  • Clarence Hicks, LB
  • Denzel Okafor, G
  • Jahcour Pearson, WR
  • Eric Smith, OT
  • Austin Watkins, WR
  • Jordan Williams, WR

Jets

  • Victor Bolden, WR
  • Dane Cruikshank, S
  • Myles Dorn, S
  • Alex Erickson, WR
  • Cyril Grayson, WR
  • Scott Nelson, S
  • Vernon Scott, S
  • James Wiggins, S
  • Milton Wright, WR

Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings

by James Layton

With Training Camps starting to be in full swing by the end of next week. Fantasy Draft season will be starting soon. So, I’m finally putting my Quarterback rankings out.

This is going to be an interesting year with Quarterbacks with if you don’t draft on of the top guys.

Let’s get into the rankings.

  1. Josh Allen, Bills
  2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
  3. Joe Burrow, Bengals
  4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
  5. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
  6. Justin Hurbert, Chargers
  7. Justin Fields, Bears
  8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
  9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
  10. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
  11. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
  12. Jared Goff, Lions
  13. Daniels Jones, Giants
  14. Kenny Pickett, Steelers
  15. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
  16. Anthony Richardson, Colts
  17. Brock Purdy, 49ers
  18. Geno Smith, Seahawks
  19. DeShaun Watson, Browns
  20. Mac Jones, Patriots
  21. Bryce Young, Panthers
  22. CJ Stroud, Texans
  23. Matthew Stafford, Rams
  24. Russell Wilson, Broncos
  25. Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Free Agents the Steelers Could Sign Before Training Camp

by James Layton

The Steelers have had an excellent offseason so far, adding depth and new starters. Although they could add another player or two for added positional battles.

A few places that could use another player are Running Back, Interior Offensive Line, and Inside Linebacker. They have made big strides in filling these positions so far, but it can never hurt to a little extra depth.

Let’s get into the free agents.

  • Rashaan Evans, LB Age: 27
  • Ben Jones, C Age: 34
  • George Fant, OT Age: 31
  • James Robinson, RB Age: 24
  • Pat Elflein, C Age: 29
  • Kwon Alexander, LB Age: 29*
  • Marlon Mack, RB Age: 27
  • Marquise Blair, S Age: 25
  • Chase Roulier, C Age: 30
  • Dwayne Washington, RB Age: 29
  • Dalton Risner, G Age: 28
  • Darrell Henderson, RB Age: 26
  • Ameer Abdullah, RB Age: 30

*Hosted for a visit earlier this offseason.

Top 15 Important Steelers Players for 2023

by James Layton

This is a big season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, after a 9-8 season in 2022 with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett becoming the clear-cut starter. And losing star OLB TJ Watt for a good part of the season. It got me thinking about who the important players are for the 2023 season.

I kept going back and forth between TJ Watt and Kenny Pickett, but after seeing what having TJ Watt on the field means, and how it impacts if it’s going to be a win or loss. TJ Watt has to be the most important player on this team.

Let get into the complete list.

  1. TJ Watt, OLB
  2. Kenny Pickett, QB
  3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS
  4. Najee Harris, RB
  5. Cameron Heyward, DT
  6. Levi Wallace, CB
  7. Mason Cole, C
  8. Pat Freiermuth, TE
  9. Chris Boswell, K
  10. George Pickens, WR
  11. Alex Highsmith, OLB
  12. Cole Holcomb, ILB
  13. Larry Ogunjobi, DE
  14. Joey Porter Jr, CB
  15. Patrick Peterson, CB

Honorable Mentions

  • James Daniels, G
  • Broderick Jones, OT
  • Jaylen Warren, RB
  • Keeanu Benton, NT

My Sleeper Player
Mark Robinson, ILB

Steelers Roster Bubble Players

by James Layton

With the Steelers starting Training Camp in eighteen days, I thought it would be a good time to look at the players that are more in likely going to be on the roster bubble.

This year with how deep the defensive side of the ball is. It’s no doubt that there are going to be more from that side on the bubble, especially with the defensive backs.

Let’s get into the players.

Offense

Mason Rudolph, QB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Anthony McFarland Jr, RB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Myles Boykin, WR
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Cody White, WR
Cap Savings: $870,000
Dead Money: $0

Kendrick Green, G
Cap Savings: $876,750
Dead Money: $453, 004

William Dunkle, G/T
Cap Savings: $750,000
Dead Money: $0

Defense

Jonathan Marshall, DT
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE
Cap Savings: $859,928
Dead Money: $160,144

Montravius Adams, NT
Cap Savings: $2,500,000
Dead Money: $732,500

Quincy Roche, OLB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Duke Dawson, CB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Chris Wilcox, CB
Cap Savings: $750,000
Dead Money: $0

Tre Norwood, FS
Cap Savings: $916,390
Dead Money: $47,220

Elijah Riley, SS
Cap Savings: $1,010,000
Dead Money: $0

Kenny Robinson, SS
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Special Teams

Pressley Harvin III, P
Cap Savings: $919,817
Dead Money: $40,366

Remaining 2023 Unsigned Draft Picks

by James Layton

There are twenty-seven unsigned draft picks, among those are eight first round picks. Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson have yet to sign their contracts.

Let’s get into the complete list.

Cardinals
Round 2: B.J. Ojulari, LB

Panthers
Round 1: Bryce Young, QB

Lions
Round 1: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
Round 2: Brian Branch, S

Packers
Round 2: Luke Musgrave, TE
Round 2: Jayden Reed, WR

Texans
Round 1: C.J. Stroud, QB

Colts
Round 1: Anthony Richardson, QB
Round 2: Julius Brents, CB
Round 4: Blake Freeland, OT

Rams
Round 3: Byron Young, DE
Round 3: Kobie Turner, DE
Round 4: Stetson Bennett, QB

Dolphins
Round 2: Cam Smith, CB

Patriots
Round 1: Christian Gonzalez, CB
Round 2: Keion White, DE

Saints
Round 2: Isaiah Foskey, DE

Jets
Round 1: Will McDonald IV, DE
Round 2: Joe Tippman, C

Eagles
Round 4: Kelee Ringo, CB

Steelers
Round 2: Joey Porter Jr, CB

Seahawks
Round 1: Devon Witherspoon, CB
Round 2: Zach Charbonnet, RB

Buccaneers
Round 2: Cody Mauch, OL

Titans
Round 2: Will Levis, QB

Commanders
Round 1: Emmanuel Forbes, CB
Round 2: Jartavius Martin, S

2024 NFL Draft: Early Top 10 Quarterback Prospects

by James Layton

It’s never too early to start looking at the next class of draft prospects. This is looking to be a better class then the 2023 draft class. With Caleb Williams and Drake Maye at the lead of the class. This class seems to be a little deeper than the 23 class as of now.

Let’s get into the top-10.

  1. Caleb Williams, USC
  2. Drake Maye, North Carolina
  3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
  4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
  5. Bo Nix, Oregon
  6. Michael Penix Jr, Washington
  7. Cameron Ward, Washington State
  8. Jordan Travis, Florida State
  9. Jeff Sims, Nebraska
  10. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

2024 NFL Draft: Early Top 50 Prospects

by James Layton

I know your probably burnt out from draft talk, with the 2023 draft just ending four days ago. But football never stops, and finding the next group of players to help your team never does either.

So here is my early top 50 prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. This is looking to be a very good Quarterback year as of now, with Caleb Williams (USC) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) as the leaders of the pack. You also have the son of an NFL hall of fame wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr as the top wide receiver.

This is also a good offensive line class. Aswell as another strong defensive class. That’s lead by CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) and Edge Jared Verse (Florida State).

Let’s get into the top 50.

  1. Caleb Williams, QB USC
  2. Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio State
  3. Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
  4. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT Penn State
  5. Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
  6. Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
  7. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
  8. Jared Verse, Edge Florida State
  9. Dallas Turner, Edge Alabama
  10. Kalen King, CB Penn State
  11. Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB Clemson
  12. Jer’Zhan Newton, DL Illinois
  13. JC Latham, OT Alabama
  14. Emeka Egbuke, WR Ohio State
  15. Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
  16. J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge Ohio State
  17. Mason Smith, Edge LSU
  18. Kingsley Suamataia, OT BYU
  19. Laiatu Latu, Edge UCLA
  20. Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
  21. Javon Bullard, CB Georgia
  22. Kamren Kinchens, S Miami (FL)
  23. Chop Robinson, Edge Penn State
  24. Leonard Taylor, DL Miami (FL)
  25. Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
  26. Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
  27. Bo Nix, QB Oregon
  28. Cooper Bebe, G Kansas State
  29. Tyler Davis, DL Clemson
  30. Zion Nelson, OT Miami (FL)
  31. Malachi Moore, CB Alabama
  32. Calen Bullock, S USC
  33. Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
  34. Blake Fisher, OT Notre Dame
  35. Rome Odunze, WR Washington
  36. Quinn Ewers, QB Texas
  37. Michael Hall Jr, DL Ohio State
  38. TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
  39. Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
  40. Beaux Limmer, G Arkansas
  41. Tyleik Williams, DL Ohio State
  42. Johnny Wilson, WR Florida State
  43. Bralen Trice, Edge Washington
  44. Zak Zinter, G Michigan
  45. Donovan Jackson, G Ohio State
  46. Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin
  47. Jack Sawyer, Edge Ohio State
  48. Dontay Carleone, DL Cincinnati
  49. Cody Colby, OT Iowa
  50. Tommy Eichenberg, LB Ohio State