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 originally planned to be reporting day for players to camp. (Contract data courtesy spotrac.com)

CB JUSTIN LAYNE

Experience: Second season

Contract status: $905,545 cap hit in 2020, signed through 2022

2020 outlook: After years of scrambling to find cornerbacks, the Steelers suddenly have to feel pretty good about their depth at the position. As a result, even after showing some promise during the preseason and practice as a rookie third-round pick last year, Layne enters training camp as No. 5 at the position on the depth chart. Barring injury to another cornerback, his ceiling, at best, for 2020 would be to surpass Cameron Sutton as the top backup after the three starters.

Bottom line: Layne established himself as a core special-teamer by the end of last season, so he seems to have a solid grip on a spot on the active roster in 2020. He did not play a defensive snap during the regular season, though. Although he struggled in his preseason NFL debut, Layne stayed in the good graces of the coaching staff and retains some long-term potential to develop into an NFL-caliber cornerback. With Sutton and Mike Hilton tabbed for unrestricted free agency in the spring, Layne has an opportunity for a larger future role on defense if he continues to improve.

After earning his way into #Steelers lineup late in 2019, Justin Layne aims higher in 2020 https://t.co/Jbhdo81VMW

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 2, 2020

ILB LEO LEWIS

Experience: Rookie

Contract status: $612,333 cap hit in 2020 on three-year entry contract

2020 outlook: Despite the release of Mark Barron and the departure of Tyler Matakevich in free agency, the Steelers did not draft an inside linebacker. They did, however, add a pair of intriguing undrafted inside linebackers in Mississippi State’s Lewis and USC’s John Houston. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Lewis was a highly regarded recruit coming out of high school and a four-year starter in the SEC. He would seem to have the physical tools to make it in the NFL.

Bottom line: After starters Devin Bush and Vince Williams, Ulysees Gilbert is the only other inside linebacker close to a sure thing to make the season-opening 55-man roster. If Lewis can display a willingness and proficiency to play special teams as well as show off some athletic ability, it’s not out of the realm of possibility he could make the team. He and Houston also are prime practice-squad candidates.

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