Steelers 2-a-days: Pivotal year for both Ola Adeniyi, Brian Allen

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 2019 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, between June 14 and July 26.

OLB OLA ADENIYI

Experience: 2^nd season

Contract status: $575,000 cap hit in 2019, signed through 2020 season

2019 outlook: Said by some as a clone of James Harrison because of his size, style and MAC-alumnus status, Adeniyi might be one of the roster’s biggest sleepers. After a 2018 season as an undrafted rookie that was lost mostly to injury, the No. 4 OLB job (behind starters Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt and top backup Anthony Chickillo) in 2019 is seemingly Adeniyi’s to lose.

Ola Adeniyi shows an impressive well-rounded game, especially for a UDFA. Strong at the POA, violent hands, sheds the TE block, finishes the play. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Cb1sStDL5h

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 25, 2018

CB BRIAN ALLEN

Experience: 3^rd season

Contract status: $654,000 cap hit in 2019, restricted free agent after season

2019 outlook: The Steelers knew Allen was something of a longer-term project when they drafted him in the fifth round in 2017 because Allen was relatively new to cornerback as a converted receiver in college. His size (6-3, 215) and speed (sub-4.5 in the 40) continue to make him very intriguing, but it’s safe to say it’s a crucial camp for Allen if he wants to show he deserves to be part of the Steelers plans.

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