Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are right around the corner for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means football will be here sooner than we realize. Before we know, training camp in Latrobe will be here. That's when things really begin to pick up as players start to increase the intensity. Training camp allows under-the-radar talents to make a name for themselves while trying to make the 53-man roster.
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Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers head into the 2023 season with much bigger expectations after an impressive offseason.
At the very least, they get their name out there and can land on a practice squad somewhere. In 2022, we got to see the Steelers back in action in Latrobe after a multi-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Several players broke out and made a name for themselves, including undrafted free agent running back, Jaylen Warren. There will be a few of those guys again this year, but here are some bigger names to watch for at camp:
Steelers Linebacker, Mark Robinson
Training camp will be a huge opportunity for Robinson. A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he was able to make a name for himself in Latrobe in 2022. His hard-hitting, thumping physicality reminded Steelers fans of Vince Williams. As a result, he was able to make his way onto the 53-man squad. Robinson didn't play a ton in his rookie campaign as he saw just 44 defensive snaps.
The Ole Miss product proved he could help on special teams a bit, as he racked up 16 snaps there. Fast forward to 2023 and it seems the team has a ton of confidence in the second-year linebacker. As things stand right now, he's the third linebacker on the depth chart. That means if an injury occurs to one of the two starters, Robinson would see extended action. While the team may very well still pick up a linebacker, like Kwon Alexander, another impressive training camp and Robinson could be pushing Elandon Roberts for playing time.
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Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson could fight for a starting spot if he impresses at training camp for the second straight year.
Defensive Lineman, Isaiahh Loudermilk
The team's depth along the defensive line remains a weakness, especially for the long-term. They got a youngster in the 2023 NFL dDraft in Keeanu Benton, which should help. Now, a guy like Isaiahh Loudermilk could be looking at being cut if he doesn't impress at camp. In two seasons, the 2021 fifth-rounder has seen 404 defensive snaps. Unfortunately, he's failed to impress. His undersized body has particularly struggled in run defense so it will be an important few months for him.
Wide Receiver, Hakeem Butler
Most of the Steelers' wide receiver room is pretty much set. They've got their separator in Diontae Johnson. They've got their veteran in Allen Robinson II. They've got their speedster in Calvin Austin III. They've also got their big target in George Pickens. That leaves (likely) two spots remaining, so it's important those two guys can play special teams. That leaves recent XFL signee Hakeem Butler, a freak athlete out of Iowa State.
The team felt good enough about him to sign the 2019 fourth-rounder to a contract. He tore up the XFL this past season, and he has qualities that could be very useful as a fifth wideout. Don't be surprised if Butler makes some eye-opening, Pickens-esque catches in training camp. By now, you've probably heard the name, but those final few wideout spots will be interesting to watch in Latrobe.
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Steelers second year wide receiver George Pickens is expected to take a big leap in year two but will need Matt Canada to devise a plan that maximizes his talent for that to happen.
Who do you expect to break out at training camp in Latrobe in just a couple months? What position battles are you most looking forward to paying attention to? Which rookies need to have an impressive OTAs and camp? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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