Steelers 2-a-days: OLB Delontae Scott a sleeper to make team, Trent Scott a depth piece for OL

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2022 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, two per day, between June 11 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

OLB DELONTAE SCOTT

Experience: 1 regular-season game (2021, for Steelers) over two seasons since going undrafted in 2020

Contract status: potential $705,000 cap hit in 2022 if he makes the active roster

2022 outlook: Scott made his NFL regular-season debut by playing seven snaps on defense and two on special teams during the Steelers’ November loss last season at the Los Angeles Chargers, a game for which they were beset by a rash of injuries. Scott was called up from the practice squad that day; he spent the entire season on the Steelers’ practice squad.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Scott had 10 sacks and three forced fumbles as a fifth-year senior at SMU in 2019. He spent his rookie season on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, and it would seem the most likely outcome for 2022 is beginning it again on the Steelers p-squad.

At a position in which the Steelers have had trouble finding reliable backups to starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Scott has a chance to sneak into a 53-man roster spot. The Steelers have to be intrigued by his college pass-rushing production (18 career sacks). If Scott can show ability on special teams, he could find himself in the mix for the OLB4 role behind the starters and veteran Genard Avery. Scott enters camp battling with the recently brought back Tuzar Sipper and undrafted rookies T.D. Moultry and Tyree Johnson for a shot to unseat the penciled-in holder of that spot, Derrek Tuszka.

“I can do it all,” said #Steelers newest offensive lineman Trent Scott, “but it’s just a matter of what they need or what they ask me to do.” https://t.co/9Bal4ePOlo

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) June 29, 2022

OT TRENT SCOTT

Experience: 5th season

Contract status: $895,000 cap hit in 2022, after which scheduled for unrestricted free agency

2022 outlook: Familiar with new offensive line coach Pat Mayer (this is the third NFL team for which they have worked together), Scott was signed to serve as a depth tackle. He could end up being the No. 1 “swing” backup on both sides, although veteran Joe Haeg held the gig last season and by all indications did nothing that would suggest he could lose the job.

Scott has made 19 career starts (some on each side of the line) among the 53 NFL games he has appeared in over four seasons since going undrafted out of Grambling in 2018. The Steelers signed him to a one-year contract May 13, well after free agency opened and even after the draft and rookie minicamp.

While the starting unit seems relatively set, the Steelers have plenty of options for their reserves along the offensive line who can play tackle. With a $3.1 million cap hit, Haeg can’t feel entirely safe — especially after the signing of Scott. Veteran Chaz Green, versatile John Leglue (who was a fill-in starter for six games last season) and rookies Jake Dixon and Jordan Tucker to varying degrees can reasonably desire to lay claim to a 53-man or practice-squad roster spot. It’s a crowded room, and Scott will have to show he’s good enough to fend off all comers.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.