5 Steelers Fighting for Roster Spots at Training Camp
PITTSBURGH -- As the Pittsburgh Steelers head to training camp, they have a few players on the roster bubble pushing to earn a spot this season.
The Steelers' roster is deep. They have positions they'll keep more players than they typically do, and because of that, it'll push other players off the team.
Heading to Saint Vincent College, there are five big names who are fighting for a spot - and have paths to earning one.
Luq Barcoo
The Steelers will most likely keep a minimum of six cornerbacks this season. With Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr. and Levi Wallace taking up three spots, a nickelback taking another and Cory Trice Jr. likely being the fifth, Pittsburgh will look for one more just to have a backup plan.
If Trice isn't ready to play this season, they want someone who is, without risking the loss of Trice. Those two will likely come down to James Pierre and Luq Barcoo.
Barcoo doesn't hold the upper hand and has an uphill battle to earn a spot on an NFL roster. During OTAs and minicamp, he was impressive, but he needs to continue making plays to put himself in a position to stay.
At just 24 years old, Barcoo could be an exciting young piece with enough upside to keep around. He has to show it all of camp, though.
Zach Gentry
Gentry may be on the outside looking in right now. The veteran re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal, but things got complicated when they selected Darnell Washington in the third round.
Now, he needs to convince them they should keep four tight ends. Unless Connor Heyward goes backward, it's hard to imagine he doesn't have a place on the team. Pat Freiermuth isn't going anywhere and Washington is a rookie with a roster spot.
Gentry is the odd man out, but he has the capabilities to prove he's better than Washington and Heyward. If he does, he'll stick around.
Tre Norwood
If the Steelers are going to keep four tight ends and six cornerbacks, they need to make room elsewhere. One position with an easy move is safety.
Norwood could be on his way out simply because of numbers. The Steelers are going to keep Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee as their primary safeties. Miles Killebrew probably has the upper hand as a special teamer, but Norwood has proven he's a capable coverage man as well.
He'll need to outperform Killebrew this summer to keep himself around. With age on his side and a few years of experience with Danny Smith - and probably more defensive capabilities than Killebrew - he could definitely win the battle for the final spot.
Alfonzo Graham
The Steelers are likely looking at Anthony McFarland as the favorite fo their RB3. Graham could surprise some people, though, and as an undrafted rookie, he's going to be the fan-favorite right from the jump.
Graham needs to showcase his abilities outside of running the football. Can he catch? Can he pass block? Can he play special teams?
If he's capable of doing all three while also making plays with the ball in hands, he's going to earn himself a roster spot. If he doesn't, the Steelers will remain confident in McFarland, who could have a real opportunity on his hands to be a part of this team in this season.
Kevin Dotson
Dotson got the short end of the stick this offseason. Not only did the Steelers go out and get their new starting left guard, but they also signed their primary backup.
Now, Dotson needs to prove he's worth a roster spot despite Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig's roles. He needs to outperform rookie Spencer Anderson and veteran Kendrick Green, and probably Herbig to a degree.
It's not going to be easy, and the odds are against Dotson staying in Pittsburgh this season. If he's leaving, chances are it's through a trade, and right now, it makes more sense for the Steelers to move on than keep him.
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