Two weeks have officially passed by at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. It's been one of the more intriguing team camps in years, as there have been several ongoing competitions and rookies to watch. There have been several breakout stars and players that have boosted their stock, as the Steelers gear up for their opening preseason game this upcoming Saturday.
Note: These guys still have a chance and are even likely to end up on the practice squad.
Steelers TE Kevin Rader / Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
TE Kevin Rader
Rader heads into his third season as a Steeler, and while he hasn't had a bad camp by any means, rookie sixth-rounder Connor Heyward has had a better one. In fact, the Steelers listed Heyward as the team's third-string tight end in their initial depth chart that was released on Friday. That left Rader as the fourth-string, leaving him on the outside looking in for now. The team likely won't carry four tight ends, unless they were to make a surprise cut, for example, a fullback Derek Watt, then using Heyward in a few different roles. For now though, it looks like Rader is destined for the practice squad.
S Karl Joseph
The former first-rounder started 49 games in his first five seasons with the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns. In 2021, his first season with Pittsburgh, his role was a bit different. He was primarily a special teams guy, as he played just 31 total snaps on the season. Now, he seems unlikely to make the team's 53-man roster. He's listed as the team's third-string strong safety, leaving him behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee. At free safety, Terrell Edmunds, Tre Norwood, and Miles Killebrew all seem to be locked down to make the team. Unless the team keeps six safeties or Killebrew's pectoral injury ends up being more severe than the team thought, Joseph will likely be cut.
CB Justin Layne
Layne has had some bright moments in training camp, but it may be "too little, too late" for the former third-rounder. In three seasons, he's played just 145 snaps on defense, along with 599 snaps on special teams. Layne may just get one last chance though, especially with the recent injury to veteran Cam Sutton. That may be just what he needed to get more playing time in and keep his roster spot. If everyone is healthy, and the team opts for James Pierre and Arthur Maulet, Layne's spot could be in jeopardy, especially with a guy like Norwood being able to play corner as well.
Steelers WR Miles Boykin / Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
WR Miles Boykin
Boykin's spot seems to be more in jeopardy than anyone else on this list. Four wideouts are locked in to make the team, leaving just two spots remaining. Anthony Miller has stepped up his game in a big way, reuniting with former teammate Mitch Trubisky. Gunner Olszewski provides a huge impact in the return game, and he has even shown appearances at wide receiver in camp. Even Cody White raised some eyebrows, and as result, Boykin seems unlikely to make the 53-man roster.
RB Benny Snell Jr.
This one is a bit far-fetched, and it likely won't happen, but the emergence of rookie running back Jaylen Warren could make Snell's skillset expendable. Warren's displayed power in the running game, as well as an ability to pass block. Snell's role on special teams is what will likely keep him from being cut though, as he has played 707 snaps in his first three seasons. With Anthony McFarland Jr. having a great camp so far as well, Snell's time at running back could be coming to an end.
Are there any surprise names that you think the Steelers will cut? Do you agree/disagree with these names mentioned? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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