5 Steelers With Everything to Prove at OTAs
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on the field as they kick off Organized Team Activities before transitioning into minicamp and eventually heading to Latrobe for training camp.
Really, football is back. Almost.
Getting started on the South Side, the Steelers have a number of players who will benefit from a strong start to summer workouts. Players who could increase their role in 2023, players who could earn roster spots, and players who could save their place on the team this season.
OTAs give you that first feel of how the team is going to shape out. And for the Steelers, these five players need to start strong this summer.
Anthony McFarland, RB
The release of Master Teague only 24 hours before OTAs wasn't for nothing. The Steelers typically bring 5-6 running backs into the summer, and right now, they have five. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are guaranteed spots on the roster, which leaves McFarland, Jason Huntley and UDFA Alfonzo Graham competing for the final spot.
The Steelers have hoped McFarland turned into something special for this offseason for the last three years. Because of untimely injuries and the emergence of Warren, it never happened. Now, with Benny Snell Jr. off the roster, the final RB spot is in favor of McFarland.
The veteran running back needs to showcase his versatility right from the jump. If he can put his game on display early, it'll stop the Steelers from bringing in that sixth running back in training camp.
Kevin Dotson, OL
The worst thing that can happen to Kevin Dotson this season is to sit third on the depth chart a year after being the starting left guard of the Steelers. Entering the final year of his deal, the chances he beats out Isaac Seumalo for a job are slim. And because it's a contract year for him, he doesn't want to waste it never playing.
If Dotson plays well enough early, the Steelers will see one of two things. Either, they'll allow competition between Dotson and Seumalo over the summer that likely ends in Dotson being traded because of his quality game tape. Or, he showcases enough that the Steelers see they have trade bait and dish him elsewhere early on.
His best-case scenario this summer is to find a team that needs a starting guard. Boosting his value every day is necessary during OTAs and minicamp.
Chandon Sullivan, CB
The Steelers are relying on Chandon Sullivan to replace Arthur Maulet this season, but simply judging off Pro Football Focus grades, it's concerning Pittsburgh could have downgraded.
Maulet's PFF coverage grade in 2022 was a 55. Sullivan's was a 53. But the Steelers inked the former Minnesota Viking to a deal during the NFL Draft, and are giving him and practice squad member Duke Dawson the first shots at the nickelback position.
If Sullivan impresses early, the Steelers will let it ride out with him and whoever else is on the roster. If he struggles, they have three roster spots open and will likely add an interior cornerback with one of them before training camp.
Connor Heyward, TE
The Steelers are in a weird spot with Connor Heyward. Chances are, he lines up in the backfield and spread out a little more this season, but with the addition of Darnell Washington and re-signing of Zach Gentry, the Steelers aren't hiding the fact that they want Heyward to be a chess piece.
He's going to have to prove himself worthy of such a role, though. And that's more difficult to do than proving yourself worthy of a roster spot as the third tight end.
Heyward has the pass-catching ability, work ethic and intelligence to make it work as a versatile piece for the Steelers. He did it in college and a little bit for Pittsburgh last year.
This year, though, the pressure is on. And much like McFarland last year when the Steelers tried to utilize him everywhere, they're not going to lock him in as a piece of the offense until he proves he's capable of handling it.
Calvin Austin, WR
The return of Calvin Austin III is the most highly anticipated part of the Steelers summer workouts. The second-year wideout was electric during training camp last year, but after suffering a foot injury the day before the preseason opener, fans never got to see how explosive he could be in-game.
No one is sure what Austin's role will be this season. He's going to compete with Allen Robinson for playing time in the slot, but also has a list of players trying to earn a roster spot over him in Hakeem Butler, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin, Anthony Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick, Ja'Marcus Bradley, Jordan Byrd and Dan Chisena.
Nothing is given to Austin this summer, but the work he's put in over the last year to recover from his foot injury should have everyone in the building believing he's going to be a key piece to the offense in 2023.
That has to be earned. Something that starts at OTAs.
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