Steelers training camp preview: 6 players to watch

A look at six players to watch when the Steelers begin training camp at Saint Vincent College:

Derrick Harmon

Gone are the days when the first-round pick is expected to wait for his turn to contribute and watch the veterans get the starting reps. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was drafted No. 21 overall to play immediately, and he apparently is making good on those wishes.

At minicamp last month, position coach Karl Dunbar already projected Harmon as a starter on a line that includes holdovers Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton. Harmon is being counted on to provide physicality and inject some life into a group that was pushed around by Baltimore in the playoff loss to the Ravens.

Roman Wilson

An ankle injury during the first padded practice of training camp essentially ended Wilson’s promising rookie season before it started. The third-round pick returned to appear in one game, but he then sat out the rest of his inaugural season. His contribution consisted of five snaps.

Now healthy, Wilson was a regular participant at offseason workouts, and the Steelers are counting on him helping fill the void created when George Pickens was traded to Dallas. For the second year in a row, the Steelers are trying to find a capable No. 2 receiver. Wilson will get a chance in camp and the preseason to show he can be that player.

Will Howard

The Steelers waited until the sixth round to use a draft pick on a quarterback, and they added the passer who won the national championship last year with Ohio State. Howard is viewed as a developmental piece, and he won’t play in the regular season unless there are injuries to Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.

Howard is sure to be a fan favorite in camp, much like Kenny Pickett was in 2022. He figures to get plenty of work in the second half of preseason games as the Steelers gauge his progression and understanding of the offense. He also must show enough to edge veteran Skylar Thompson for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Payton Wilson

Wilson played 45% of the defensive snaps at inside linebacker last season after being taken in the third round of the draft. His role is expected to increase in his second season given the departure of veteran Elandon Roberts in free agency. Cole Holcomb is back after missing the past year and a half with a leg injury, but it may be difficult for the Steelers to keep Wilson off the field.

As a rookie, he made four starts and totaled 78 tackles. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown and had an interception against the Baltimore Ravens. His speed makes him an asset in coverage, and he has a knack for being around the ball, favorable traits for an inside linebacker.

Troy Fautanu

The 2024 first-round pick was playing well enough in camp last year that he was in line to start the season at right tackle. A knee injury suffered in the season opener derailed those plans, and his NFL debut had to wait until Week 2 at Denver.

Fautanu edged Broderick Jones out of a starting job that day, but a separate knee injury in practice the following week was damaging enough to end the rookie’s season.

For his second season, Fautanu is penciled in at right tackle again, and he and Jones will give the Steelers one of the league’s least experienced starting duos at tackle.

Jonnu Smith

The Steelers added to an already deep tight end group when they acquired Smith from the Dolphins in the deal that also brought cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the organization. Smith, though, may be asked to do more than line up at tight end.

Smith is coming off a career season in which he caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He can be used at wide receiver and in the backfield, providing another much-needed target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.