The Pittsburgh Steelers could be beneficiaries of all 32 teams going through roster cuts as they all try to get down to their final 53-man roster by 4 PM on Tuesday. Once a player is cut from the team they spent training camp with, they will go on to waivers where the 31 other teams will be given the opportunity to sign that player. So far, there are a few players that have been cut around the NFL that the Steelers could use to help their depth at some positions.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan speaks to the media.
Cut day is a sad day around the NFL, as each team will be releasing about 37 players. Some will make it back to the practice squad, but each team is only allowed to have 16 players rostered for that. Meaning there are a lot of players who have their dreams of playing in the NFL squashed around this time every year. There are some guys who have been released that the Steelers could grant a second-chance to by signing them off of waivers. Most players that play in the defensive secondary and along the offensive line.
Players The Steelers Should Claim Off Of Waivers
Trey Dean
Trey Dean was with the New York Jets during 2023 training camp after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dean had a really successful preseason for the Jets, unfortunately for him, they already have a lot of good depth at safety. It is no doubt that Dean will find himself on an NFL roster soon, and the Steelers should definitely throw their hat in the ring. We've already seen Tre Norwood and Keanu Neal deal with injuries and miss significant time during training camp, so adding another body in the safety room couldn't hurt.
USA Today Sports
Steelers should target Trey Dean.
Zonovan Knight
Zonovan Knight was Dean's teammate in New York, and was released as well. Knight is a running back who was undrafted in 2022, and made quite the splash with the Jets during that season. After their rookie running back Breece Hall went down with a knee injury, Knight took over and broke the organization's franchise record was scrimmage yards in a player's debut. The Jets have a crowded running back room so he was released. Although Anthony McFarland has been spectacular as the Steelers' third running back throughout this preseason, Knight should have a shot in Pittsburgh.
It was reported that Knight even had some interest from other teams before being cut, as a possible trade candidate. So it is no doubt he will be picked up quickly.
Craig James
Craig James was also most recently in the Big Apple with the Jets as a cornerback. He was undrafted in 2018 and spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles where he actually gained some real, regular season NFL experience. He was with the Eagles from 2019 through 2021, and during the 2020 season, he even earned himself a one-year extension with the team. The Steelers could use more depth at cornerback. Apart from Levi Wallace, Patrick Peterson, and Joey Porter Jr., there isn't anyone reliable to play the outside corner position. This makes James a great waiver candidate for the Steelers.
Available Offensive Linemen
The Steelers' offensive line has been a weakness of the team for the past couple of seasons, however the front office has taken major steps to improve it. There is still some issues though, mainly with depth along the line. The Steelers could really benefit from finding another back-up center that isn't Kendrick Green since he has had a horrible performance in the 2023 preseason. They could also use other depth in general along the line.
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Steelers offensive lineman, Kendrick Green struggled in the first preseason game of 2023.
Alex Mollette
Alex Mollette is a center who was recently cut by the Detroit Lions. He could be brought in for depth at the center position behind Mason Cole. Most Steelers fans want Green to be released from the roster, and adding Mollette could help give the team the confidence to finally do that.
Hakeem Adeniji
Hakeem Adeniji has a decent amount of experience in meaningful NFL games. He has been with one of the Steelers rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals since 2020. He has played in 31 games while starting 14 of them and is just 25 years old. Adeniji plays offensive tackle, and with his experience playing in actual NFL games he could be a really beneficial addition to the offensive line and the tutelage of rookie tackle Broderick Jones.
What do you think of possibly adding some of these players? Is there anyone else you'd like to see the Steelers go and get? Let us know in the comments below!
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