Even though the official training camp isn't for many months, the events that transpired at the Steelers rookie camp this year might have a significant impact come camp time and possibly even this season. A summary of our findings is provided here. Here is a rundown of what we learned.
During this year's rookie minicamp, the future of the right side of the Steelers offensive line was on display. First-round pick Troy Fautanu primarily took reps at right tackle, while their fourth-round pick, Mason McCormick, took reps at right guard. Based on this, one can presume that they are developing Fautanu in preparation for eventually moving Broderick Jones back to left tackle. Regarding James Daniels, who is about to enter the last year of his contract, McCormick is primed take his place in the near future.
Video: Instagram/Steelers
The biggest standout of the weekend was receiver Roman Wilson. The two aspects that were noted about him during drills were his explosiveness coming off the line and his ability to eat up space in short areas. Whether he plays in the slot, on the outside, or as a z-receiver, Wilson has the makings of a player that can be very productive in his rookie season.
Veteran running back Jonathan Ward, who was added to the Steelers tryout roster during the week, made a good impression on running back coach Eddie Faulkner in various drills. With NFL 42 games under his belt, he is exactly the type of player the team could use on their roster.
Seventh-round rookie cornerback Ryan Watts was the talk of the weekend for two reasons. Firstly, the fact that he missed the first day of minicamp to attend his graduation ceremony at the University of Texas. Secondly, his 6'3 frame and overall size made him stand out from all the defensive backs in attendance.
As first reported by Pro Football Talk, veteran cornerback Anthony Averett was signed following this year's rookie minicamp. Averett was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. Since entering the league, he has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions. In his career, Averett has registered 14 tackles, three interceptions, and 23 passes defensed.
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