Latrobe, Pennsylvania – The thunder of padded training earlier in the week was a slight memory when Wednesday’s training rolled. The Steelers’ penultimate practice in training camp was a thoughtful man workout, as the Pittsburgh players performed situational drills while leaving their pads inside the locker room.
Wednesday’s practice was the follow-up to several notable positional battles. The interior secondary Robert Spillane probably helped his cause in his position battle with Devin Bush when he recorded a choice of six against Mitchell Trubisky during team exercises. All eyes continued to be on the ongoing quarterback battle and in particular rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, whose practice on Wednesday showed that, although he is showing considerable signs of progress, the old habits indeed die hard (more on that later).
Afternoon training has also strengthened the fact that a capable receiver will be excluded from the initial list of 53 players from the team. Several large promising compete for the last two places on the depth table before the second pre-season game of the Steelers, which will take place on Saturday evening against the Jacksonville jaguars.
Anyone may agree that, unless injuries, the following players will lead the Steelers’ reception body at the start of the regular season:
- Diontae Johnson: Receiver No. 1 of the team who has just finished his first Pro Bowl campaign and his multi -year extension.
- Chase Claypool: Although his 2021 season is not up to his recruit campaign, Claypool always has a huge advantage and potential.
- George Pickens: The rookie second-round pick will contribute heavily on offense, maybe right away.
- Calvin Austin III: If it is in good health, Austin’s versatile skills will be used by the attacking coordinator Matt Canada.
With the first four solidified spots, here is an overview of the receivers who have the best blow to win one of the last places on the list.
Olszewski artilleryman
The favorite to earn one of the last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. The former Patriots All-Pro returner got his first start for the Steelers in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener win over Seattle. He appears to have developed a relationship with each of the Steelers quarterbacks, which was on display Wednesday as he continued to be seen receiving passes.
“He’s adaptable,” Tomlin said of Olszewski after practice. “He’s versatile. He plays in multiple places. He’s tough. I can’t dwell enough on the tenacity he displays.”
Olszewski actually pulled off the most impressive catching workout. Pickett, under stress, rolled to his left before relaxing the ball on a defender and in the stretched hands of Olszewski on the nearby touch. But while taking Olszewski was impressive, Tomlin was more focused on the quarter-Arrière that launched the pass.
“I gotta get that ball out,” Tomlin told Pickett, who’s been known to hold the ball a little too long sometimes.
White cody
Former recruit not drafted, White begins his third year with the Steelers after having short stays with three other NFL teams at the start of her professional career. He spent his full season recruited in the Pittsburgh training team before participating in 15 games last season. White made an impressive catch Wednesday on an equally impressive throw from quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Steven Sims
Sims passed its first two seasons in the NFL in Washington before spending the majority of the 2021 season in the Pittsburgh training team. Sims made a pair of matches in Splash in last Saturday’s victory against Seattle, which included a return of clearance with 38 yards and a jet race which also took 38 yards.
“He works extremely hard,” Tomlin said of Sims, who caught 61 Washington passes while returning a punt for a score. “He works to define a role. … He’s a guy who fights for a place on the bus.”
Sims doesn’t know John Taylor, another punt receiver/returner who wore No. 82 while helping the 49ers win three Super Bowls. Sims knew another number 82 that helped the Steelers win their fifth Lombardi Trophy in 2005.
“There are many big ones who came before us here and who put the uniform,” said Sims before Wednesday training. “(Issue) 82 in particular. (Antwaan) Randle El, I was watching ‘Hard Knocks’ yesterday, seeing him. There are a lot of greats who have come before us, and we have to live up to that name.”
Miles Boykin
The former Ravens receiver is a big possession receiver who didn’t necessarily stand out during camp. His pedigree (he is a former third round choice of the Ravens which captured seven affected during his first two seasons in the NFL) could give him a slight advantage in the position battle.
Tyler Vaughn
The recipient of last Saturday’s winning score, Vaughns showed flashes of his potential during camp. He also often comes just before making a big play during practice.
While practice is still important, the remaining preseason games will ultimately determine which receivers earn final roster spots and which ones compete for a spot on Pittsburgh’s practice squad when the page turns. Towards the regular season.
