Training camp hasn’t even kicked off yet, and the Steelers already have a rookie class that could make life interesting fast.
Pittsburgh’s unusually large group of first-year players gives the roster some real movement potential, especially with so many openings sitting on the depth chart. That kind of setup doesn’t guarantee rookies anything, but it does create a lane for a few of them to climb quickly if they catch on early. On both sides of the ball, there are names worth watching as the competition heats up.
Eli Heidenreich is one of the more intriguing late-round additions because of the versatility he brings. The Pittsburgh-born rookie has been working mostly at running back heading into camp, which means he’s got plenty of ground to make up with a crowded group ahead of him. Still, the physical comparison to Christian McCaffrey is enough to keep people paying attention.
Daylen Everette already made noise during OTAs and minicamp, and that matters. He was one of the biggest winners in those spring workouts, even though he landed in the third round in a draft class loaded with bigger names. Everette comes into the league with experience and a background from a strong Georgia program, and even with Pittsburgh’s upgraded secondary, he could push his way into a meaningful role.
Gennings Dunker arrived with plenty of buzz, but his momentum has cooled some since draft day. The Steelers appear willing to see whether Brock Hoffman or Spencer Anderson can keep the starting job, which puts the rookie in a tougher spot than some expected. Even so, Dunker still looks like a player who could eventually rise to the top of the depth chart if he puts together a strong camp and moves quickly.
Robert Spears-Jennings is in a different kind of battle. He may be fighting just to secure a roster spot, but Pittsburgh does have a need for a dependable depth safety. The secondary is strong overall, yet the safety room is thin once you get past the starters, and that gives Spears-Jennings a real opening to prove he belongs.
Kaden Wetjen might not have been the pick that won over everyone at first, but he could still turn heads in camp. He profiles as a smart gadget player who Aaron Rodgers might build a connection with, and Mike McCarthy’s offensive mind could help bring Wetjen into the offense more than expected. His special teams value is already clear, but there’s a path for him to matter on offense too.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans Are Starting To Worry About A Supposed Defensive Anchor
The Steelers have spent the offseason adding pieces around a roster that already finished with an AFC North title, bringing in Michael Pittman, Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker as they try to keep pace in a division that rarely gives anyone much breathing room. Even with those additions, ESPN analyst Mike Clay still pointed to inside linebacker as Pittsburghs weakest spot, a reminder that the middle of the defense remains under the microscope heading into the new year.
Patrick Queen is the name that hangs over that conversation. After arriving in Pittsburgh on a three-year deal in 2024 and earning a Pro Bowl nod that season, he has still left some uneven tape behind him, including a PFF finish last year that placed him near the bottom of the off-ball linebacker group. For a defense that wants stability from its supposed anchor, the question is whether Queen can turn that inconsistency into something much closer to the standard the Steelers thought they were buying. [Read more 🡒]
Former Chargers 1,000-Yard Back Suddenly Carries Unfinished Business Elsewhere
Seattles backfield has been in flux since Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City in free agency, and the Seahawks have already added Jadarian Price and Emmanuel Wilson as they try to patch together depth. With Zach Charbonnet still working back from injury, the room is thin enough that the team is at least exploring veteran help, which has put a familiar name back into the conversation.
Najee Harris, a former Pro Bowler who made his biggest mark with Pittsburgh before a recent stint with the Chargers, has been mentioned as a possible fit for the Seahawks backfield mix. His rsum still carries weight, but the bigger question is whether Seattle sees him as a short-term insurance policy or something more, especially with the roster construction in that position still very much in motion. [Read more 🡒]
Former Steelers Tight End Suddenly Draws New AFC Buzz
Jonnu Smiths name is back in the AFC conversation after a career year with Miami put him on the radar of teams looking for help at tight end. Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports pointed to the former Steelers tight end as a free-agent option for Denver, where the Broncos have been searching for more production at a spot that has not given them much this season.
For Pittsburgh, Smiths rise is a familiar reminder of how quickly a veteran tight end can change a market when he finds the right fit. He flashed enough last year to make teams take notice, and the Broncos need only sharpens the intrigue around a player who has already shown he can still be a difference-maker after the catch. [Read more 🡒]