In just over one month, the Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off training camp and we can finally get back to real football. This season is going to be huge for this franchise because of the perceived change in culture. But ultimately, if it doesn’t translate to wins, none of it matters. There are players who must step up that we all know about. But here are three guys more under the radar we would love to see step up.
TE Xavier Grimble
It didn’t take long after Jesse James signed with the Detroit Lions the Steelers drafted a very similar player in Zach Gentry. First thought was his replacement would be Grimble but the addition of Gentry muddies the waters a bit. Grimble is a hard worker and offers more as a receiver so don’t be shocked if he holds off Gentry as the team looks to replace production in the passing offense.
S Jordan Dangerfield
There’s no guy who has been more patient than Dangerfield. He’s been on the roster since 2014, spending two of them on the practice squad and another on injured reserve. The battle for the third safety spot is wide open heading into training camp. Dangerfield is one of the hardest working guys on the team and a fan favorite. This season is make or break for him.
WR Eli Rogers
The Steelers have a very crowded wide receiver room. But one guy who could sneak in and leapfrog other guys on the roster. Rogers is such a smooth route runner and is so dynamic after the catch, this could be the year he tops the 48 receptions he had back in 2016. With Antonio Brown gone, Rogers could be the next best thing in terms of a smaller, elusive receiver who can hurt you after the catch.
