Editor’s note: Leading up to a unique Pittsburgh Steelers training camp staged at Heinz Field this year, the Tribune-Review will be running through the team’s 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2020 season. The breakdown will go through the roster, in mostly alphabetical order, two per day, between June 9 and July 23, a day that originally was planned to be reporting day for players to camp. (Contract data courtesy spotrac.com)
RB ANTHONY MCFARLAND
Experience: Rookie
Contract status: Has yet to sign 4-year entry contract
2020 outlook: Belying his fourth-round status, McFarland is arguably the most-hyped of the Steelers’ rookie class. There is reason to buy into it, too — and not just because running back has always been considered a position of easiest transition from college to the pro level, a phenomenon highlighted during this unique offseason of lessened on-field work.
Bottom line: McFarland figures to, at worst, have some packages designed for him. The Steelers are intrigued by his big-play capabilities. He won’t surpass a healthy James Conner to become a featured runner as a rookie, but if Conner continues to be plagued by injuries, McFarland could get more reps than Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels. There is legitimate excitement among the Steelers that McFarland could make some plays for them this season. That might turn out to be true, but don’t forget, the Steelers said similar things about the likes of Dri Archer and Chris Rainey.
Two weeks into his tenure with the #Steelers, it seems running back Anthony McFarland can do no wrong. https://t.co/DvMZXo7dTu
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 11, 2020
CB ALEXANDER MYRES
Experience: Practice-squad time with Steelers last season
Contract status: $610,000 cap hit in 2020, under team control for at least 4 seasons
2020 outlook: Defined by bonus amount given, Myres was the Steelers’ top undrafted free agent signing in 2019. A playmaker at Houston, he was to compete for a depth spot on defense if he could translate his special-teams prowess from college to the pros. But an undisclosed illness that kept him out of training camp ruined any chance Myres had of that happening. Still, the Steelers brought him back prior to Week 4 and he spent the balance of last season on their practice squad.
Bottom line: The Steelers quickly kept Myres via a reserve/future deal, so they clearly see something they like. The numbers are against him making the active roster, though, with five cornerbacks all but assured spots. Myres’ best bet might be to stick around on a practice squad and show enough to crack the team in 2021.
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