Steelers 2-a-days: P Pressley Harvin III has competition; Cole Holcomb part of ILB makeover

Editor’s note: From the end of minicamp through the day the team reports to 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 2023 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, between June 16 and July 26. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

P PRESSLEY HARVIN III

Experience: 3^rd season

Contract status: $960,184 cap hit in 2023, signed through 2024

2023 outlook: Two full seasons have passed since a draft pick (No. 254 overall) was invested in Harvin, the rare punter selected. He has held onto the job throughout and proved to be a worthy NFL-caliber punter. But can he continue to develop and become the upper-echelon player at his position that the Steelers were clearly aiming to get when they drafted him out of Georgia Tech?

Harvin’s raw gross (44.5) and net (41.1) punting averages improved in Year 2 from his rookie season, when he ranked among the bottom of the NFL with a 42.6-yard gross and 38.0 net. Last season, Harvin was still below league-average in each, albeit slightly so in net.

That three-year NFL veteran Braden Mann — himself a former draft pick — was signed is an indication Harvin’s job is not 100% secure. Mann’s 2022 stats are roughly equivalent to Harvin’s, and he’s a proven NFL punter who likely would have had other options.

Harvin’s leg strength is elite. So far as a pro, his overall consistency has not been so. He’s fully expected to hold onto his gig as the Steelers’ punter, in part because he’s trusted as a holder. But should Harvin have a poor training camp, the door is open for Mann to swipe the gig away.

Cole Holcomb is not a full participant at OTAs... but...

“Don’t worry – I will be ready. I will be ready for camp.”https://t.co/6qAztkRPea

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 25, 2023

ILB COLE HOLCOMB

Experience: 5^th season

Contract status: $2.72 million cap hit in 2023, signed through 2025

2023 outlook: The Steelers completely re-made their inside linebackers corps in a matter of weeks this spring, allowing Devin Bush and Robert Spillane to walk in free agency and releasing Myles Jack. That left only the 44 late-season snaps played by then-rookie Mark Robinson as the lone returning playing time at ILB from 2022 to 2023.

Holcomb joined Elandon Roberts as veterans signed in unrestricted free agency to fill the hole. Holcomb spent his first four NFL seasons with the Washington franchise, earning a reputation as a run-stopper.

The mostly likely timeshare Steelers coaches have in mind at inside linebacker is that Holcomb and Roberts are designated as “starters” but Robinson continues to work his way into the rotation and with players more adept in coverage (be it other ILBs, or a third safety) coming onto the field for obvious passing downs. Holcomb will need to prove to coaches he can handle coverage duties if he wants to be an every-down player. Other inside linebackers on the team include converted safety and special-teamer Tanner Muse and three-year NFL journeyman Chapelle Russell.

Holcomb missed the final 10 games of last season because of injury, and he underwent foot surgery in December. As his recovery continued, Holcomb did not participate in team drills during organized team activities or minicamp. He assured he would be at full health in time for training camp, but that will be something to watch for on the first day of practices at Saint Vincent.

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