The strategy of the Pittsburgh Steelers front office in this year’s draft was to plan for the future. This somewhat breaks form from recent years when rookies were pressed into service quickly. But we all understand most of these guys are one injury away from being thrust into the starting lineup. So our question of the day is all about which rookie will have the biggest impact in the upcoming season?
There are several solid candidates to step up. Given the depth at outside linebacker, Alex Highsmith has a chance to get fairly significant snaps to spell Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. But in terms of which player might be the readiest to play now, it’s probably wide receiver Chase Claypool. But he’s got the steepest climb on the depth chart.
A real sleeper is running back Anthony McFarland. It is hard to be confident in James Conner that he will make it a full season. And the big thing McFarland brings that the running back depth chart is lacking is speed. If he can find a groove in some specialty formations, McFarland could have a strong rookie season.
