With the 2024 NFL Draft over, the next item on every NFL team’s agenda is rookie minicamp. The Pittsburgh Steelers will host their annual rookie minicamp from May 10th to May 12th at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Currently, the Steelers have four open roster spots for their 90-man offseason roster. Every year, the Steelers sign one to three players from rookie minicamp who impress. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Alonzo Graham from Morgan State and outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe from Sam Houston State after rookie minicamp last year. One other notable success story from the past is Devlin “Duck” Hodges. Who started six games for the Steelers in 2019 after impressing at rookie minicamp and training camp.
Two Local Products are Intriguing
Marquis Williams
According to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Williams has been invited to the rookie minicamp.
Pitt cornerback Marquis Williams will be a tryout guy at Steelers rookie camp next weekend. After six years with the Panthers, 44 career starts, 6 picks, 2 pick-sixes, he’ll know his way around. His uncle is former Steelers safety Tyrone Carter. A slot candidate at 5-8, 176.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) May 2, 2024
Williams is no stranger to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, having played for the Pitt Panthers, who share a practice facility with the Steelers. The red-shirt senior spent six years at Pitt, where he played a total of 59 games, starting in 44. Mike Tomlin is also familiar with Williams, as he is known for interacting with Pitt players and getting to know them around the practice facility. Tomlin has mentioned several times how he got to know Kenny Pickett and James Conner before drafting them.
Williams had a solid career at Pitt, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2022. Although his 2023 season was not as noteworthy, he still managed to start in 10 games, recording 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and four pass breakups. Despite his college success, Williams went undrafted and was not a priority undrafted signing for multiple reasons. He is undersized, measuring 5ft 8in and weighing 176 pounds at his pro day. Additionally, his 40-yard dash time of 4.73 seconds was below average for his size.
Why Marquis Williams Has a Chance
The Steelers are in desperate need of a slot cornerback after only drafting one cornerback, Ryan Watts. Williams will have to impress during rookie minicamp and demonstrate that his lack of speed and size is not a huge liability at the next level. His experience and playmaking ability in college give him a good shot at impressing Steelers coaches next week.
DJ Powell
Duquesne announced yesterday that DJ Powell was invited to the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp. Duquesne, another local college just like the University of Pittsburgh, plays in the Northeast Conference in the FCS. Powell will not have to travel far from his former university; Duquesne is only half of a mile down the road from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Powell finished his senior season with first-team all-Northeast Conference honors and led the Dukes with 713 receiving yards.
What is impressive is that he did that with only 34 receptions and scored nine touchdowns. At Duquesne’s pro day, he measured in at 6 feet and a quarter inch, weighing 191 pounds. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, which was surprising after being Duquesne’s deep threat and averaging 20.97 yards per catch. To be a successful deep threat in the NFL, Powell’s 40-yard dash is concerning.
Why DJ Powell Has a Chance
Powell has a legitimate shot at getting signed because the Steelers lack prominent deep threats with significant playmaking capabilities in their receiving corps. The only concrete starting receivers for the Steelers currently are George Pickens and 2024 draft pick Roman Wilson. After that, the Steelers’ wide receiver room is made up of unproven veterans; Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Marquez Callaway. If Powell can show he can be a deep threat and playmaker, the Steelers will give him a look.
Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Minicamp Just Days Away
The Steelers will finalize their rookie minicamp roster in the next coming days with camp starting on Friday. Many players view this as an opportunity to showcase their talent after being overlooked in the draft process. Only a few players will seize this chance and keep their NFL playing dreams alive by getting signed. It’s an uphill battle for most undrafted rookies, but all it takes is one good weekend to impress the Steelers brass to get that invite to training camp. It will be exciting to see who makes the most of their opportunity this weekend.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
