Here are a few Pittsburgh Steelers players that need to make a statement on Sunday, whether it’s solidifying their position, or fighting to stay on the roster. The Steelers 2017 season and these players’ roles in it, will be affected by their on field performances against the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
Pittsburgh Steelers Players Who Need to Make a Statement Sunday
Martavis Bryant
Upon his return from suspension, Bryant has been upgraded to the starting wide-receiver spot across from Antonio Brown. This duo was lethal when they last played together in 2015. But following Bryant’s suspension and subsequent reinstatement, questions have followed him on and off the field. He’s healthy, and he’s playing for a new contract. Will he prove his detractors wrong?
Eli Rogers
There has been a healthy competition for the starting slot receiver throughout training camp between Rogers and rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. While Smith-Schuster sustained what appeared to be a concussion in the first preseason game, he returned to practice only to injure his knee on Wednesday. With Smith-Schuster’s health and availability questionable going into week two, it’s Rogers chance to solidify himself as the starter in the slot. As the incumbent slot receiver from last year, Rogers also has a rapport with starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that Smith-Schuster has yet to develop.
James Conner
The third round pick and Pitt product sat out the first pre-season game with a shoulder injury. Conner needs to have a strong showing if he’s going to lock down the second string running back job. Right now, Conner and Knile Davis are listed together as second stringers while fourth year running back Fitzgerald Toussaint is listed as the starter. The return of Le’Veon Bell will essentially cause everyone to move down a string once he reports to Steelers practice and signs his franchise tender.
This may be Conner’s only chance to run behind the Steelers starting offensive line before the season starts. He has to make the most of his opportunities. If he shows the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pick up blitz assignments as well as arm tackles he may be able to unseat Toussaint before the regular season.
Xavier Grimble
One of the surprises when the Steelers released their 2017 roster was Grimble’s listing as the third tight end. Grimble managed 11 receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns last season. But he is currently listed behind the starter, Jesse James, and second stringer, David Johnson. Johnson had seven receptions for 80 yards last year and only has one touchdown reception in his eight year NFL career.
As a receiver, Grimble certainly has the skill set to make himself an asset, especially in the red zone. He caught a touchdown in last week’s game against the New York Giants that was negated by a holding penalty. Grimble’s inconsistency as a blocker is keeping him from unseating the 270 pound Johnson. Whether or not Grimble shows developing blocking skills against a Super Bowl caliber defense, something the Falcons possess, will dictate a roster spot.
Coty Sensabaugh
One of the Steelers few off-season free agent signings, Sensabaugh is a six-year NFL veteran with high upside. He has played on the outside and in the slot, and has displayed the skill set to be an asset in man coverage. One of the Steelers defensive goals for the 2017 season is to implement more man coverages and be less predictable in the secondary. Pundits initially speculated that Sensabaugh would come in and compete with incumbent slot corner William Gay, who’s now entering his 11th season, for the starting position.
To make Sensabaugh’s road to the starting lineup even easier, two corners the Steelers drafted, Cameron Sutton and Senquez Golson, have been out for most of training camp. But Sensabaugh is still listed as a third stringer. Head scratcher? Well, two other young corners, Mike Hilton and Brandon Dixon, have come off of last years practice squad and been impressive. Factor in that fifth round draft pick, Brian Allen, has had a solid training camp and a respectable first pre-season game and the deck looks stacked against Sensabaugh.
One thing to keep in mind is that Hilton and Allen both have practice squad eligibility, something that Sensabaugh doesn’t possess. If the Steelers brain trust decided to go this route, and put Hilton and Allen on the practice squad, almost all of Sensabaugh’s competition would be on the practice squad or the sideline with injuries. This all but ensures that he makes the 53-man roster.
In contrast, if he continues to be outperformed by Gay, Hilton, Dixon and Allen, Sensabaugh will likely be cut. The Steelers would take a $425,000 dead money cap-hit if they decided to cut him. If Sensabaugh is going to make a statement it has to be Sunday before the starting corners play more and take even more preseason reps. It seems like a very real possibility that Sensabaugh’s future as a Steeler hangs in the balance when he takes the field on Sunday.
