If you are a backup in the NFL you are literally one play away from being a full-time starter. Injuries have become so prevalent in the NFL, there’s no way to hide on a roster if you aren’t ready to play when called upon. The Pittsburgh Steelers are no different and if 2019 taught us anything, you can’t win if your backups aren’t ready to step up.
Here are six Steelers’ backups who need to be ready for this season.
QB | Mason Rudolph
Last season, Rudolph was thrust into the starting lineup when Ben Roethlisberger went down. Rudolph started eight games in 2019, throwing for more than 200 yards in half of them and failing to record a 300-yard passing game. Rudolph now enters his third NFL season still hoping to one day replace Roethlisberger. This offseason is huge in terms of his development.
RB | Jaylen Samuels
Samuels became the forgotten man in the running back rotation last season. Even when James Conner was injured last season, the team turned to Benny Snell Jr. and Samuels didn’t see a bump in touches. With the real possibility of the Steelers draft a running back this year the pressure is on Samuels to his spot on the depth chart.
WR | James Washington
Despite leading the team in receiving yards and yards per reception in 2019, Washington’s efforts were overshadowed by the play of Diontae Johnson and the down season of JuJu Smith-Schuster. Wide receiver is another position the Steelers could target in the upcoming draft, which would only muddy the waters more as to what Washington’s role is in the offense.
DT | Isaiah Buggs
By the time the season actually gets here, Buggs could be the team’s starting defensive tackle. But until then he needs to be spending every minute he can preparing to be a huge part of the Steelers defensive line rotation this season. With Javon Hargrave off to the Philadelphia Eagles, the time is now for Buggs.
EDGE | Ola Adeniyi
With the release of Anthony Chickillo, Adeniyi becomes by default the team’s No. 3 edge rusher. Pittsburgh may have the top pass-rushing tandem in the league in T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree but this doesn’t change Adeniyi’s value. He has a chance to not only lighten up the snap counts on the starters but put on an audition for next season if Dupree leaves.
CB | Cam Sutton
Much like Adeniyi, Sutton needs this season to be big in hopes of an expanded role in 2021. Joe Haden isn’t getting any younger and Mike Hilton could leave in free agency next offseason. If either of those happens, a strong 2020 by Sutton could help the Steelers front office decide he’s ready for a starting spot in the lineup.
