5 Breakout Candidates for the Steelers in 2016

Stephon Tuitt

The Steelers have had a lot of great defensive lineman in their history, and they may have another about to breakout. Stephon Tuitt has the potential to turn into a star during the 2016 season. After having a modest season in 2014, Tuitt played great in 2015 posting respectable stats of 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and even an interception. His major strides from his rookie to sophomore year give no reason to think he can’t continue to improve in his 3rd year.

The Steelers defensive line led the team in sacks in 2015 and that may happen again in 2016. Tuitt and Cam Heyward are a dominant duo and they will potentially be the two best players on the defense this season. Tuitt hardly ever came off the field last season and his high percentage of snaps wasn’t just due to the lack of d-line depth last year, but because he consistently plays at such a high level.

If Tuitt continues to improve his play he will be a force in 2016. With Keith Butler's pass-rush heavy defense, Tuitt may even be capable of double digit sacks this season. It took until his 3rd year for Heyward to break out and I anticipate the same for Tuitt. 

Sammie Coates

He'll have to fight for it, but Sammie Coates has a chance to win the #2 wide receiver spot in 2016. Markus Wheaton has been a solid receiver that has flashed potential, but he's yet to consistently shine. Darrius Heyward-Bey is a mostly-reliable veteran, but has hit his ceiling. Coates has the highest ceiling among the receivers not named Brown. 

We were given a mere taste of his ability last year in the playoffs when he posted 2 receptions for 61 yards. These simple stats don't tell the whole story though. Coates receptions weren't simple deep balls, they were short passes where he used his athleticism and vision to gain yards. The Steelers have had great success drafting wide receivers in the middle rounds, and Coates could be the next one of these greats. 

If you look around on Twitter, you'll often see Steeler fans hyping up Sammie Coates. This hype is deserved, for Coates is in a perfect position to be one of the top breakout wide receivers in 2016.

Ladarius Green

"You’re like a brand-new Ferrari in the impound lot that I'm just looking through the fence at." Ben Roethlisberger is excited about his new weapon, and Steeler fans should be too. Ladarius Green was a tease during his time in San Diego. He'd flash his immense talent and potential, but then would be relegated back to the bench. During the 2015 season when Green started in place for the suspended Antonio Gates, in 3 games he posted 15 catches for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns. Those 3 games accounted for 40% of his total yards during the season.

Green was great value for the Steelers in free agency. He is large, athletic, and his arrow is pointed up. Ben has always loved having Heath Miller to throw to - for years he was Ben's safety net. Green is expected to carry that torch as well as bring a whole new dynamic to the tight end position for the Steelers. Yes he will likely play that safety net role like Heath in the past, but he also has the potential to be split out wide in a way Martavis Bryant was used.

Ladarius Green has every opportunity to excel in this offense. The only things that could hold him back are his injury history and all of the mouths to feed in this offense. Regardless, Green is primed for a huge 2016.

Chris Boswell

Kickers are people too. 2015 certainly was a wake-up call for Steeler fans who didn't appreciate Shaun Suisham, for when he went down with an injury, chaos ensued. After going through 2 kickers (who will remain nameless) following the injury, the Steelers ended up with Chris Boswell. 

Boswell surprised many fans. Few expected such consistency and reliability from an unknown name seemingly signed off of the street. As the season went on, he earned the trust of both fans and coaches. Us fans didn't have to stress anytime we needed a field goal or PAT, which was refreshing after the kicking fiasco earlier in the season. Boswell demonstrated consistency by only missing 4 kicks last season, as well as his power by nailing his 2 50+ yard field goal attempts. 

The arrow is pointed up for Boswell for the 2016 season. An offseason to properly train and condition with the team gives him a high ceiling. Though he may not have a cannon leg like some kickers in the league, he is certainly capable of proving to be one of the most accurate and consistent kickers in the league. 

Bud Dupree

Last but not least, we have the player with potentially the biggest upside on this list. Bud Dupree has a very high ceiling, but also a modest floor. During his rookie year in 2015 he received an abundance of playing time, but failed to make a significant impact. Believe it or not, Dupree was even voted as one of the worst edge rushers in 2015 by Pro Football Focus. Though us fans had hope for Dupree entering the season, we all knew he was a very raw player upon being drafted at pick #25.

Dupree's growth is pivotal for this defense. Though the teams sack total increased in 2015 to 48 after only posting 33 in 2014, a significant portion of these came from the defensive line rather than the edge rushers. If you watched the Denver Broncos in the 2015 playoffs, it is clear how impactful a dominant edge rusher can be. James Harrison, Arthur Moats, and Jarvis Jones all appeared to have plateaued in their playing ability; Dupree is the only player capable of transcending their 2015 play and significantly improving. Though Kieth Butler is smart and creative enough to compensate for the lack of presence at edge rusher, which we witnessed in 2015, a premier edge rusher would elevate this defense. 

Dupree has the athleticism and measurables to be a dominant edge rusher in this league, there's no question about that. His issues lie in his technique and "above the neck" play. Only time will tell if Dupree is able to put these pieces together, but if he does, he could be in for a huge 2016 season. 

Should the Steelers Keep More WR's, LB's, or DB's?

We are at the point in the offseason where writers are starting to release their projections for the Steelers 53 man roster. Positions such as running back and defensive line are set for the most part, but there are some positions where you often see disagreement. These positions include wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, cornerback, and safety. 

In an attempt to see if there is a trend for how many of each position the Steelers have kept during the Tomlin-era, I compiled the counts of each position going back to the 2007 season into a graph.

I gathered the data using Wikipedia, which gave me the final depth chart at the end of each season. Considering how much changes occurs within rosters throughout a season, it seemed like the fairest, most consistent method. 

Wide Receiver

Of the 5 positions, wide receiver has been one of the more consistent. Over the past 4 seasons, the Steelers have kept 5 receivers. Although they started the 2015 season with 6 (Tyler Murphy) he was only kept due to Martavis Bryant's suspension and didn't remain on the 53 man roster for long. 

Many 53 man roster projections for this season have the Steelers keeping 6 wide receivers. It appears there are currently 4 players who have locked positions: Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, & Sammie Coates. There are 3 apparent front runners for the remaining 1 or 2 spots: Eli Rogers, Demarcus Ayers, & Shakim Phillips. 

Rogers is a fan favorite. He received a lot of buzz last offseason but ended up on injured reserve. Ayers, one of the Steelers 7th round picks this year, was a productive college receiver but it appears the coaching staff see's his value primarily as a punt returner. Phillips made a few splash plays during the preseason last year and spent the year on the practice squad. 

I think the Steelers will continue to keep 5 wide receivers. The Steelers primarily use 3 receiver sets and the 5th receiver will likely not see much playing time, making a 6th receiver almost useless. A case can be made that this spot should go to a punt return specialist, but I personally think Brown should continue to field punts. Because the Steelers love versatility, I think the spot for a 6th receiver will go to a linebacker or defensive back who can contribute to special teams. 

Tight End

There isn't too much to gather from this data. The Steelers tend to vary between 3 and 4 tight ends. They also sometimes keep an extra fullback such as Will Johnson who is capable of playing tight end. It appears there are two locks at the positions: LaDarius Green & Jesse James. Assuming they keep three tight ends, the final spot will be a competition between Matt Spaeth, David Johnson, Xavier Grimble. 

These are three unique players. Spaeth is the veteran of the group and a has been a very reliable blocker for the Steelers, but lacks versatility and is starting to be plagued by injuries and father time. D. Johnson was recently brought back for his second stint with the Steelers, though he is unproven he offers versatility because he is able to play both tight end and fullback. Grimble is the biggest mystery of the group; he is  young and unproven, but have received a lot of praise this offseason. He is also easily the most athletic player of the trio.

The fact that the team kept two fullbacks last season gives D. Johnson an edge for making this team. He could easily slip into the role filled by Will Johnson last year, being a back-up fullback, tight end, and contributing on special teams. This versatility gives him an edge and increases the odds of the Steelers keeping 4 tight ends. 

Linebacker

Last season, the Steelers kept 11 linebackers on the roster, a record-count during Tomlins stint. This is a trend that certainly may continue into this season for the Steelers have a vast pool of young talent with their linebackers. The 8 locks to make this roster appear to be: James Harrison, Jarvis Jones, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, Arthur Moats, Vince Williams, and Steven Johnson. Some argue that Johnson isn't a lock, but being that he is a veteran and a very experience special teams player, I believe he will make the roster. This leaves likely 2-3 spots for the remaining contending linebackers: Anthony Chickillo, Travis Feeney, Tyler Matakevich, and LJ Fort. 

Chickillo spent time on the 53 main roster, but got very limited playing time; he's a player who will win with toughness and technique over athleticism. Feeney is our 6th round draft pick this year; he is an athletic specimen, and though he's raw, he could have a big impact on special teams. Matakevich is our other 7th round draft pack from this year; similar to Steelers like Chickillo and Vince Williams, he is a guy who must rely on toughness and instincts over athleticism. Fort spent time on the 53 man roster last year and primarily was used on special teams. 

The most common theme for these back-up linebackers is simple: special teams. The roster spots will likely go to whichever linebacker proves to be the most versatile and can have the greatest impact on multiple phases of special teams.

When looking at the table, the 11 linebackers the Steelers kept last year may seem like an outlier, but I believe it shows the direction the team will head in this year. Because of their depth at the position and the team's emphasis on special teams, I expect the Steelers to keep 10 or 11 linebackers. 

Cornerback

Cornerback is a group that's count has shifted fairly consistently. As you can see by looking at the graph, the Steelers have kept 5 cornerbacks on the roster over the past 3 seasons. Unfortunately for many of the guys on the 90 man roster, this group is pretty set. The 5 locks of this group are William Gay, Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson, Artie Burns, and Doran Grant.

The most likely of the group to be cut or moved to the practice squad is Grant, but being that he was a 4th round pick last year it seems unlikely. The staff has also mentioned the idea of bringing in a veteran corner if one of value gets cut. Because of the youth and inexperience of this group, adding a veteran as the 6th cornerback seems more likely than a young play - though this may give an edge to 29 year old Donald Washington. Though some of the young guys may make an impression during training camp, the only apparent route for one of them to stick with the team is to make the practice squad or if there is (God forbid) an injury. 

Safety

Along with linebacker, safety is a position where the count has varied over the years. This is likely due to the ability of safeties to play special teams. There is a lot of opportunity for some young safeties to make this team, unfortunately there aren't too many contenders to be excited about. There's only 3 real locks in this group: Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, and Sean Davis. That means there are 2-3 spots up for grabs between Ross Ventrone, Shamarko Thomas, Jordan Dangerfield, and some other young players.

Though the top 3 safeties are a great group, the remaining depth is very spotty. Ventrone is primarily a special teams guy that has been off and on the roster for awhile. Thomas was drafted to be the heir to Troy Polamalu, but has continually disappointed on both defense and special teams despite his athleticism. Dangerfield is a sort-of fan favorite due to his hard-hitting style, but has yet to make the 53 man roster.

Judging by the players on the roster, it seems most likely that the Steelers will carry 5 safeties, the 4th & 5th being Ventrone & Thomas. Though one can easily make an argument for why Thomas shouldn't make the roster, the spot appears to be his unless somebody can beat him out or if the Steelers make an unorthodox move and carry only 4 safeties. 

It is also certainly possible that veteran Will Allen will be brought back onto the roster. Though he doesn't have the youth and athleticism of a player like Thomas, he compensates with smart play and reliability. 

Offseason Timeline: Bud Dupree

It can be difficult keeping up with a players offseason over the course of months. For your reading pleasure, I compiled significant pieces of news & updates on the offseason of 2015 first round pick, Bud Dupree.

I encourage you to follow the links provided to read the full stories for each piece.
This article will be updated as more news is released. 

June 19th

Beat writer Ed Bouchette writes on how Bud Dupree admits he hit the rookie wall in 2015. He also discusses Dupree's growth with Joey Porter and Arthur Moats.

“I just was not being used to playing that many games,” said Dupree, the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in 2015. “It took a toll on my body. Now I’m more prepared for that. I’ve been training longer, doing different things that I didn’t have the time to do coming from college. Just a lot of little minor things you need to do, just looking at guys like James Harrison, guys who really take care of their body, following their lead.”

To read the whole article, click on the link above.

June 14th 

Teresa Varley interviewed Bud Dupree and defensive coordinator Kieth Butler on Dupree's growth and how he can improve going into his sophomore season:

“I am encouraged by him,” said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. “When we went to see him before we drafted him, I talked to him a lot about defense, what we expected from him, from our outside linebackers. They had done a lot of stuff at Kentucky that was similar to what we had done, had copied a lot of stuff that we had done defensively. Some of the things he was doing at the time, he was going to be doing here too.

“The concepts he had to learn, the overall defense, he got an idea about but he was just trying to learn his position. When you come into the league as a young player the first thing you want to do is figure out what I am doing, then I will learn what everybody else is doing. He is going to transition into that stage knowing what everyone else on defense is doing, so he’ll know where his help is. As a consequence he will be able to stay in position to make more plays.”

To read the whole interview, click on the link above. 

June 12th

In an interview with Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com, Joey Porter explains the growth he's seen from Bud Dupree.

“Just like all my young guys, I want to see them get a little better than they were a year ago,” outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said. “He has had time to look at the stuff he did last year and he can judge himself where he is now.”

“I catch him out there helping the young guys and the new guys on defense,” Porter continued. “He said, ‘I never thought I would be able to help somebody.’ But that shows how far along he has come with this defense. He feels comfortable enough to give the other guys some knowledge of the game. 

“That’s a beautiful thing that shows his growth.”

To read the whole interview, click on the link above. 

April 27th 

Steelers.com posted a video of Bud Dupree & Ryan Harris working out in the gym. 

🎥 | https://t.co/BTLn0E6dWYhttps://t.co/u8DWCdFs6A

— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) April 28, 2016

April 25th

Steelers.com posted a video of draft picks Bud Dupree, Sammie Coates, & Jessie James eating Primantis while reflecting on the draft and their rookie seasons. 

The video shows the human side of the players; Dupree tells the story of how he was nervous the first time he road the famous Duquesne Incline. All three of them also emphasized how nervous they were as practice started as well as how long the season felt; Coates & James took light-hearted jabs at Dupree since he by far played the most of the three of them.

RT @steelers: .@primantibros takes good care of last year's rookies as they talk #SteelersDraft.https://t.co/9UUGCwfIKy

— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) April 25, 2016

To watch the video, click the link above.

April 11th 

Various NFL.com writers voted on their defense year 2 break-out candidates. Former Steeler Ike Taylor chose Bud Dupree. 

Bud Dupree's production will catch up to his raw talent

From the Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching staff to the players, Bud Dupree is a main topic of conversation. He is ahead of the game and doesn't know how good he can be. A year ago, Bud didn't know his strengths, but he started to come around toward the end of the 2015 season. He's watched veteran guys around him like James Harrison for an entire year and learned from them. He saw Harrison's work ethic in the weight room, on the field and in the film room.

To read the whole article, click on the link above. 

March 31st 

Bud Dupree was interviewed for Steelers.com by Teresa Varley. He explains how he views the culture of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his goals for conditioning, and more:

On what it means to play for the Steelers and the tradition the team has:
“The standard is the standard here. The goal in the Steelers organization is to win, to be world champions, and every day you have to work like it. You have to make sure you show respect for the people that played before you who made it all possible. You show respect for them. You aren’t just playing for this team. You are playing for them too.”

On his offseason workouts:
“I try to focus on explosion. I try to use my get-off as an advantage and my speed and quickness. I try to be the most explosive person on the field. I want to work on getting faster, stronger.”

To read the whole interview, click on the link above.  

March 26th 

Bud Dupree posts an impressive workout video, demonstrating his effort to improve his technique.

Don’t get mad…jus get in the PRESS! pic.twitter.com/8XOoh8z8Nl

— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) March 26, 2016

January 20th

In January, Bud Dupree made Gil Brandt's 2015 All-Rookie Team.

"All four of Dupree's sacks came in the first half of the season, with his first two coming in Weeks 1 and 2. While the sack production leveled off, Dupree showed he's a big, athletic guy whose speed and quickness make him hard to block."

To read the whole article, click on the link above. 

Steelers Not Alone in Using Major Player as Punt Returner

There has been reports recently about the Steelers hoping to replace Antonio Brown as the teams primary punt returner. Many fans and news outlets are in favor of this, arguing that using Brown as a punt returner puts him at risk of injury and it isn't worth the gamble. 

"I don't live in my fears" (Mike Tomlin)

Tomlin is a smart coach and isn't afraid. He understands the risk is worth the reward, for Brown is one of the most electric returners in the league. 

A fact many tend to overlook is that many teams in the league used major players as punt returners in the 2015 season. Lets take a look:

• Patrick Peterson - Arizona - CB
• Emmanuel Sanders - Denver - WR
• Jarvis Landry - Miami - WR
• Tyler Lockett - Seattle - WR
• Travis Benjamin - Cleveland - WR
• Ted Ginn Jr. - Carolina - WR
• Tavon Austin - St. Louis/Los Angelas - WR
• Adam "Pacman" Jones - Cincinnati - CB
• Golden Tate - Detroit - WR

All of these players were the best, or one of the best at their positions for their teams in 2015. Yet their coaches weren't afraid to utilize them as punt returners because they knew they were the best guys for the job. 

The Arizona Cardinals are probably the best example. Patrick Peterson is their #1 cornerback and arguably the best in the league, yet Bruce Arians continues to allow him to field punts. Like Tomlin, he doesn't live in his fears and puts the best man on the field.

"Why would I relieve him of that (laughing)? No. It's a way for him to impact the game. It's something that he enjoys doing and is very, very good at doing. It's an asset to us and one that we've gone to in the past and may continue to go to in the future." (Mike Tomlin)

It's clear as well Tomlin is a fan of Brown's ability as a punt returner, and rightfully so. Throughout his career Brown has averaged roughly 10 yards per punt return. He's also proven to be a smart decision maker - not taking unnecessary risks or putting himself in dangerous situations. Though he may kick a Brown or straddle a goal post every once in awhile, he hasn't given us a reason to relieve him from this role. 

As of now the main candidates to replace Brown are Eli Rogers and Demarcus Ayers. Both players have experience from returning punts in college and appear to be able to fill the role admirably, but surely neither are better than Brown. Their primary role in the punt return game should be as back-ups in case Brown gets injured. If fans recall, during the 2015 season when the Steelers used players that weren't Brown as punt returners, the results weren't pretty. Simpy, if Brown is the best punt returner, he should continue to return punts.

Predictions for Steelers 2015 Draft Class

1) Bud Dupree - OLB

Many fans, including myself, were shocked and ecstatic when Bud Dupree fell to the Steelers in last years draft. Dupree ended up playing a significant amount of snaps during the season, but unfortunately didn't have a significant impact. His youth and inexperience were evident. His technique and mental processes were both lacking last season, but at times he was able to flash the athletic ability that got him drafted in the first round. 

Steeler nation is hoping to see Dupree make a jump in 2016. The combination of his measurables and athleticism give Dupree an opportunity to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL someday. Unfortunately, I don't think that time is here yet. I believe Dupree will play much better in 2016 and have an impact on this defense , but I still think he is a year or two away from dominance.

I do think though we'll see a much more complete player this year. With a year under his belt and an offseason to train and learn, Dupree will be much more comfortable with his assignments and technique, enabling him to more effectively drop back in coverage and more consistently beating his guy on the edge. 

Stat predictions:

40 tackles
6 sacks
1 forced fumbles
1 interceptions

2) Senquez Golson - CB

The Steelers finally drafted a cornerback in a high round, fans were so excited... and then he got put on injured reserve for the season. Senquz Golson had a very unfortunate 2015. However, now he his healthy again and ready to start for the 2016 season. Though there's been some controversy lately with him needing an MRI, he is expected to be ready for training camp. 

Golson is a very versatile player and has the ability to play on the inside or outside at cornerback. This versatility gives him an opportunity to be a big asset for this secondary. His ballhawking skills will excite fans too; his senior season at Ole Miss he finished with 10 interceptions. The Steelers turnover ratio greatly improved from 2014 to 2015, and Golson in the secondary they can certainly continue top the previous ratio. 

Because Golson has never played an NFL snap, it is likely he'll experience some growing pains. However, his toughness and ball skills should be evident off the bat and those alone will make Steeler fans excited for this young player. The Steelers love of blitzing their defensive backs should allow him to get a few sacks as well. 

Stat predictions:

45 tackles
4 interceptions 
9 passes defended 
2 sacks 

3) Sammie Coates - WR

Another guy many fans are excited for, Sammie Coates is a player many are hoping takes a big step forward in 2016. His situation differed from the other high draft picks. He didn't deal with injury or get starting time, he sat the bench most of the season. It wasn't until the playoff game against the Broncos that we got a taste of his potential, and he delivered with a performance of 2 catches for 61 yards. Showcasing his athleticism and run-after-catch ability.

With Martavis Bryant out for the 2016 season, Coates is primed to have a big year. He will likely be the #3 receiver week 1, potentially rotating with Darrius Heyward-Bey. I think the Steelers will take advantage of Coates' speed and explosiveness and have him be their primary deep threat. Similar to Bryant and Mike Wallace before him, Coates will likely make some bad drops and run some bad routes, but he'll make his money streaking down the field and burning defensive backs. As we saw too in the Denver game, he'll also have success with short passes that give him the opportunity to run and make guys miss. 

Coates won't be a complete receiver in 2016, but the Steelers will surely take advantage of his speed and athleticism in order to properly utilize him as he continues to grow as a player. It is entirely plausible for him to have one of the top yards-per-catch averages in the league this season.  The vast talent on this offense will be beneficial for Coates for he won't be pressured to step up and be the cornerstone. He will be given the proper time to grow, and I believe he will.  

Stat predictions:

35 receptions
600 yards
6 touchdowns

4) Doran Grant - CB

One of the biggest mysteries from this draft class, nobody knows what to expect from Doran Grant. He only played 1 snap last season and has gotten virtually no buzz in the media. It's bizarre because you would expect a 4th round player to be able to be a solid contributor. Though Grant remains an enigma, I do think he'll eventually see the field in 2016. 

Ideally Grant could turn into a player like William Gay. The two have very similar measurables and playing styles. Training camp will be huge for him because we will finally get an opportunity to discover if Grant is capable of contributing to this defense and if the coaching staff see's him a role for him on this defense. 


5) Jesse James - TE

A potential secret weapon for the Steelers, Jesse James doesn't get the buzz he deserves. He played surprisingly well in his limited snaps in 2015. He showed he has the ability to be a very well-balanced tight end for the Steelers, capable of contributing as both a blocker and receiver. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him step up as our #2 tight end this season.

James and Ladarius Green will make a potentially dangerous duo. Green's a more dangerous target so he will most likely be more focused on my defenses, but if teams don't account for James this could allow him to have a lot of opportunities and be a secret weapon. My pal Joe Kuzma of Steel City Underground wrote an article on Jesse James' potential, similar to what he wrote, the Steelers like to spread the ball around in their offense and James doesn't need to an abundance of targets to be effective. Though most of the balls will and should go to Antonio Brown, James would be a great benefit to this offense by catching 1-3 balls per games. His massive 6'7 frame will also enable him to be a nice redzone weapon for us. 

6a) L.T. Walton - DE

Believe it or not, L.T. Walton is in a position to make the 53 man roster and being the primary 3-4 end back-up to Cam Heyward & Stephon Tuitt. This isn't entirely due to his skill though, rather than our lack of depth at the position. The Steelers have good depth for their nickel packages in Javon Hargrave & Ricardo Mathews, but those players aren't suited for the 5T. As of now it is a competition between Walton & Cash Lyons for the position. 

Walton has the measuralbles and motor to be a solid backup, but we know virtually nothing about him. Considering no free agents were brought in to compete for that 5T position, the Steelers must like either Walton or Lyons. It'll certainly be worth monitoring his play and progress in training camp. Walton is a player who could make the roster, but also may be put on the practice squad if beat by Lyons.

6b) Anthony Chickillo - OLB

Most of us fans know the Steelers need help at edge rusher, but its unclear whether or not Anthony Chickillo is the answer. Chickillo received limited playing time last season but failed to do anything significant. However he was able to make a splash play when he forced a fumble during a kick return. 

Despite not be a star athlete like Bud Dupree and recent draft selection Travis Feeney, Chickillo plays a great with a great motor and intelligence. He may not ever be a monster on the edge, but I believe he is capable of contributing to this team eventually. My gut tells me at some point in the season one of our primary edge rushers will go down with an injury and Chickillo will step up in his place and surprise us all with solid play. 

7) Gerod Holliman - S

HA! Sorry I couldn't help myself. Gerod Holliman is long gone from the team. Yes he had ball skills, but he was less aggressiveness than my soon to be born niece. Players laughed at him during training camp because he avoided physical contact. The Steelers training robot probably hits harder than him. Anyway, moving on. 

Notables UDFA's/Futures

Roosevelt Nix - FB

One of my new favorite players, Roosevelt Nix went from an afterthought to a fan-favorite real quick. He earned it too. He displayed toughness and tenacity on the field in special teams as well with his run blocking. The Steelers are one of the few teams to still utilize a fullback, but the difference in the running game is apparent when Nix is on the field.

With his starting job locked and an offseason to train, the sky is the limit with Nix. I can see him being a major contributor in the running game and on special teams for years to come.  

Eli Rogers - WR

Another rookie who was put on injured reserve, Eli Rogers got a lot of buzz during training camp. Unfortunately he needed surgery on his foot and was out for the year.

This buzz has continued into this offseason, with many reports saying Rogers has impressed as a receiver as well as being a candidate to be the teams punt returner. He is a player to keep an eye on the season and is someone worth rooting for. Very few will actually be surprised if he makes the 53 man roster. At this point it seems he'll primarily be battling rookie Demarcus Ayers for a roster spot.

BJ Finney - G/C

Not a sexy position, but a vital one. BJ Finney was one of the Steelers more high profile UDFA signings last season. The Steelers appear to be fond of him, giving him a big pay raise part way through the season. This move speaks louder than his actual play last offseason.

Finney will most likely be competing with Chris Hubbard for the backup guard position. Both players are fairly young, but Hubbard likely has the edge due to his experience. Finney will have to prove to be a capable swing lineman in order to beat out Hubbard and make the 53 man roster, or else he'll likely head back to the practice squad. 

Brandon Boykin's Significant Injury Kept Secret

Breaking news was revealed by avid Steeler fan Craig Scott today regarding Brandon Boykin. Scott, an attendee at the Steelers Men's Fantasy Camp, broke this news from Steelers defensive back coach Carnell Lake:

Lake: I can talk about him now that he isn't here. Philly cut him b/c he has a degenerative hip condition: one leg longer than other...(1/2)

— Cocktails-n-Dreams (@CraigScott31) June 4, 2016

"Our Drs didn't pick it up. He could hardly run. I felt bad for him" wow. There ya go. #steelers

— Cocktails-n-Dreams (@CraigScott31) June 4, 2016

According to Scott, Lake explains that Brandon Boykin has a medical issue that has been kept hidden from the media and public entirely - a degenerative hip condition. 

This breaking news sheds lights on why Boykin has had issues finding a team this offseason and why he got such limited playing time last season. 

It is unclear why this news was kept secret, but it'll be interesting to see if any more information is released now that Lake has publicly spoken about the issue.