Steelers 2021 training camp preview: Breaking down the offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers open 2021 training camp Thursday. Here’s a look at each of the offensive players on the roster.

Quarterbacks

7 BEN ROETHLISBERGER · 6-5 · 240

An MVP candidate through Thanksgiving last season, Roethlisberger might have been one of the NFL’s worst QBs after that. At 39 and a year removed from elbow surgery, can Big Ben still be his old self?

2 MASON RUDOLPH · 6-5 · 235

A one-year contract extension shows the organization believes in Rudolph to a certain extent, but questions linger about his potential as a long-term successor to Roethlisberger. Clearly the No. 2 to start the season.

3 DWAYNE HASKINS · 6-4 · 218

It was only 27 months ago when Haskins was a first-round pick. Still just 24, he has a chance to resuscitate his career after busting in Washington. The arm is there to be a starter, but is everything else?

5 JOSHUA DOBBS · 6-3 · 216

Signing him to a one-year deal in April marked the third time the Steelers made a transaction involving Dobbs. That leaves no doubt they like having him around, but probably as nothing better as a No. 3.

Running backs

22 NAJEE HARRIS · 6-2 · 230

Arguably the most anticipated Steelers rookie in a decade or more, there will be lofty statistical expectations for the first-round pick out of Alabama. Harris’ college resume speaks for itself.

24 BENNY SNELL JR. · 5-10 · 224

For about six weeks this spring, Snell was atop the Steelers RB depth chart. Now, he is clearly behind Harris, who likely will be an everydown back. Can Snell carve out a significant role?

26 ANTHONY MCFARLAND JR. · 5-8 · 193

When the Steelers drafted McFarland last year, they clearly had visions of a change-of-pace, big-play back. That never materialized as a rookie, but maybe new coordinator Matt Canada can unlock that potential.

38 JAYLEN SAMUELS · 6-0 · 225

A roster spot for a fourth season is far from assured for Samuels, whose usage plummeted from 36% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in 2019 to 11% last season. His touches declined, too, from 113 to 18.

33 TREY EDMUNDS · 6-2 · 223

If Edmunds is back for at least part of a fourth season with the Steelers, it won’t be because of his abilities at running back but as a special teamer. Edmunds’ 2020 season was limited to four games, in part because of injury.

29 KALEN BALLAGE · 6-2 · 231

A former fourth-round pick, Ballage is on his fourth team in four seasons. He has all the physical tools, but that hasn’t translated. Maybe he can latch on to return kicks and add depth.

44 DEREK WATT · 6-2 · 234

A fullback and older brother of T.J., Derek signed a three-year contract with the Steelers in March 2020. If he doesn’t contribute more in 2021, safe to say it’ll end up being two-year stint for the fullback.

Wide receivers

19 JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER · 6-1 · 215

The free-agent market for Smith-Schuster didn’t unfold as many predicted it would, and he returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal. Still only 24 years old, only six wide receivers had more catches last season.

18 DIONTAE JOHNSON · 5-10 · 183

A case of the drops, plus the emergence of Chase Claypool, limited Johnson’s production during his second NFL season in 2020. But only five wide receivers were thrown to more often last year.

11 CHASE CLAYPOOL · 6-4 · 238

Only four wide receivers had more touchdowns from scrimmage in 2020 than Claypool had as a rookie (11). Only 18 had more catches of 20 or more yards (14). If he takes a Year 2 jump, watch out.

13 JAMES WASHINGTON · 5-11 · 213

Entering his fourth season, it’s clear Washington isn’t going to become the consistent dynamic deep threat the Steelers envisioned when he was drafted. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a valuable contributor.

14 RAY-RAY MCCLOUD · 5-9 · 190

McCloud upgraded the Steelers’ punt returning last season, finishing fourth in the NFL in average. At times, he was involved in the offense, too, and the Steelers are hinting that happen more often in 2021.

83 ANTHONY JOHNSON · 6-2 · 220

Johnson had 25 touchdowns in 24 career college games and has good size and speed. A lack of short-area quickness, though, has kept him from playing in a regular-season game in two years as a pro.

15 CODY WHITE · 6-3 · 215

White spent part of last season on the Steelers’ practice squad after going undrafted following a decision to leave Michigan State with a year of eligibility. White was productive in college (143 catches, 12 TDs in three seasons).

17 ISAIAH MCKOY · 6-2 · 200

McKoy had 25 catches and five touchdowns during the abbreviated 2020 season for Kent State, earning first-team All-MAC honors. It is said he plays faster than his 40 time suggests, but drops are an issue.

80 MATHEW SEXTON · 5-11 · 175

A slot receiver and return specialist, Sexton reportedly ran a 40-yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds this spring. His best bet is to make the practice squad and show enough to eventually compete for slot or punt-return duty.

84 RICO BUSSEY · 6-0 · 190

Bussey played last season at Hawaii after three years at North Texas. He was eighth in the country in touchdown catches in 2018 with 12, but he tore an ACL in 2019.

82 TYLER SIMMONS · 6-0 · 201

Simmons was little-used at Georgia and undrafted in 2020. But he caught the eye of the Steelers while participating in the Bulldogs’ 2021 Pro Day, so he’ll have a puncher’s chance at a spot on the practice squad.

Tight ends

85 ERIC EBRON · 6-4 · 253

Ebron’s first season with the Steelers included 56 catches for 558 yards and five touchdowns, ranking 10th, 15th and 13th (tied) in the league among tight ends. That’s adequate — but hardly great — production for his salary.

88 PAT FREIERMUTH · 6-5 · 258

How much can the rookie from Penn State contribute to the offense? In 26 career college starts, he had 16 touchdowns. A second-round pick, the Steelers envision a significant role.

81 ZACH GENTRY · 6-8 · 265

This is probably the last chance for the converted college quarterback to show he can be a viable NFL tight end. Gentry has the size, but it only has translated into six NFL games and one catch in two years.

87 KEVIN RADER · 6-4 · 250

The coaching staff likes the blocking ability of the Pine-Richland alumnus, who has spent most of the past two seasons in the organization but has only dressed for one regular-season game.

49 DAX RAYMOND · 6-5 · 255

Undrafted in 2019, Raymond spent parts of the past two seasons on the camp rosters and/or practice squads of the Chicago Bears and Steelers. He is a long shot for the 53-man roster but is a practice squad candidate.

Offensive linemen

N/A TRAI TURNER · 6-3 · 320

The five-time Pro Bowl guard was signed to replace six-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro. But just as DeCastro appeared to be aging, so did Turner in 2020. The Steelers are banking he can bounce back.

69 KEVIN DOTSON · 6-4 · 321

In his first season as a starter (at left guard) and just 15 months removed from being a fourth-round pick out of a mid-major program, Dotson generally is regarded as the most stable piece on the Steelers offensive line.

76 CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR · 6-6 · 320

Okorafor was adequate in his first season as a full-time starter (15 starts) in 2020, but he moves from right tackle to left this season. As a pending unrestricted free agent, plenty is on the line for Okorafor.

72 ZACH BANNER · 6-8 · 335

Last year in his fourth NFL season, Banner finally earned a starting gig (at right tackle) — and promptly suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener. The Steelers brought him back on a one-year, prove-it deal to try again.

67 B.J. FINNEY · 6-4 · 318

A reliable backup interior lineman for four seasons with the Steelers, Finney departed in free agency last year but flamed out in Seattle and Cincinnati. He is the alternative option if Kendrick Green can’t win the starting center job.

53 KENDRICK GREEN · 6-4 · 315

Green took Maurkice Pouncey’s old number and is embracing the challenge of replacing the retired multi-time All-Pro. By all accounts Green has the demeanor and athleticism, but can he start as a rookie?

71 JOE HAEG · 6-6 · 298

Perhaps known best for dropping a would-be touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, Haeg has five seasons and 55 starts of NFL experience, so he makes for a good depth piece.

60 J.C. HASSENAUER · 6-2 · 295

Hassenauer made four starts last season and wasn’t a liability, proving he can be a backup on the interior. But with Finney back, his role heading into 2021 isn’t defined.

65 DAN MOORE JR. · 6-5 · 315

A rookie fourth-round pick, Moore likely won’t start this season, but if he impresses enough during the preseason and practices, there is an opportunity in 2022 because starters Okorafor and Banner are pending free agents.

79 RASHAAD COWARD · 6-5 · 326

Coward started 20 games at guard the past two seasons for the Chicago Bears but was let go. The Steelers signed him to add depth.

74 JARRON JONES · 6-6 · 320

A defensive lineman at Notre Dame, Jones moved to the offensive line during a stint in the XFL in 2020. The Steelers signed him last year, and he remained on their practice squad.

68 ANTHONY COYLE · 6-4 · 298

Since being undrafted out of Fordham in 2018, Coyle has been property of four NFL teams and the XFL’s New York Guardians. He has stuck with the Steelers since April 2020, even making the active roster for late-season games.

61 AVIANTE COLLINS · 6-4 ·292

Collins had been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2017, appearing in five games with one start — but none since 2018.

77 JOHN LEGLUE · 6-6 · 301

The Steelers were the fourth team Leglue joined over his first 20 months after being an undrafted free agent in 2019. Listed as a tackle by the Steelers, he has experience all over the line.

62 BRANDON WALTON · 6-5 · 300

As a rookie last year, Walton spent camp with the Buffalo Bills but ended up on the Steelers practice squad. He was an All-Conference USA left tackle while a senior at Florida Atlantic.

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