5 things to watch for at Steelers rookie minicamp

Friday, for the first time for the 2024 league year, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice fields will bustle with the activity of an official workout.

A three-day rookie minicamp begins with 75-minute walkthrough-style practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Though perhaps only about a half dozen will make any sort of significant impact during regular-season games this fall, roughly 50 players will take part.

It’s the first official on-field “practice” in the lead-up to a 2024 regular season that begins in less than four months.

No one will confuse rookie minicamp with some of the major landmarks on the NFL annual calendar, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some storylines to follow this weekend.

1. First impression for the 1st-rounder

The man with arguably the least at stake this weekend likely also is the one with the most eyes on him. First-round pick Troy Fautanu, of course, will make the season-opening roster, and by all indications figures to have a bright future in the NFL as a starting offensive tackle. He has been vetted by Steelers management more than any of his peers at rookie camp.

But this weekend is Fautanu’s first chance to ply his trade in Steelers-branded equipment and alongside new teammates. His pedigree dictates he should be the best player on the field. What kind of impression can he make? It’s a first crack at earning a potential starting job in 2024.

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2. Troy and the boys

Fautanu won’t be the only offensive lineman prominent during the workouts. The Steelers’ second- and fourth-round picks play center and guard, respectively. Whatever as it might mean in a short walkthrough featuring no established veterans, it’s expected that Fautanu, center Zach Frazier and guard Mitch McCormick will line up together as part of the “first-team” offensive line.

It could be quite the foreshadowing of what Steelers fans might hope is a decade-long trio anchoring the trenches of their offense beginning as soon as 2025. Fautanu, Frazier and McCormick have long ways to go in establishing themselves in their pro careers, but Friday might be a day they look back on because it was the first time they took their positions in formations together in an official capacity as Steelers.

3. Wilson & Wilson

The only players the Steelers drafted before Round 6 who were not offensive linemen share a surname. Something else that both Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson have in common is that early anecdotal indications project high expectations as rookie third-round picks.

In Roman Wilson’s case, he had better meet them, too, if the Steelers are to be successful offensively in 2024 — at least when looking at how the roster stands right now. Wilson currently could find himself as high as the Steelers WR2 behind George Pickens. Even the more realistic scenario of Wilson proving a worthy slot WR3 will take some proving on his part that he’s ready for such a role as a rookie.

There’s a little more leeway for Payton Wilson because inside linebacker has a pair of starters in place with veterans Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts (plus Cole Holcomb coming off of a major injury). But as the reigning Bednarik Award winner as college football’s best defensive player, it will be worth watching how much Payton Wilson’s considerable skills pop on a pro practice field.

Perhaps he’ll even get to show off his coverage chops against a precisely run route by Roman Wilson over the middle?

4. Not just draft picks

While the aforementioned players join fellow draft picks Logan Lee and Ryan Watts as the highest-profile of the rookies, don’t forget about the undrafted free-agent class highlighted by West Virginia slot cornerback Beanie Bishop and Georgia running back Daijun Edwards.

Also eligible for rookie minicamp are first-year players, defined in the NFL as those who entered the league before 2024 but have not accrued a season of service time.

Additionally, a bevy of rookie tryouts will be given a shot to show they belong in the NFL after being passed over for 257 draft selections and unsigned in the hours and days that follow. Typically, the Steelers sign a tryout or two each year.

A handful of veterans show up on a tryout basis, too. One of the names that has leaked is five-year NFL running back Jonathan Ward, who has played in 42 career games for Arizona and Tennessee.

5. Local connections

Among the tryouts are several prospects with local ties. The most recognizable of this year’s crop is former Pine-Richland and Pitt (and Notre Dame) quarterback Phil Jurkovec. He is taking part as a tight end.

Cornerback Marquis Williams is another Pitt product confirmed with an invite, as is former Duquesne wide receiver DJ Powell.

Expect the minicamp list to be filled out with names you might remember from the WPIAL or, perhaps, PSAC — in addition to others from Pitt and/or West Virginia, Penn State, etc.

After a lifetime in the sport, it might be the final time on a competitive football field for some.