{"id":65803,"date":"2019-06-14T05:55:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T09:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=65803"},"modified":"2019-06-14T05:55:26","modified_gmt":"2019-06-14T09:55:26","slug":"pittsburgh-steelers-ota-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/06\/14\/pittsburgh-steelers-ota-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Steelers OTA Grades: The Offense"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the offseason calendar in the NFL hits mid-June, most teams have wrapped up their organized team activities (OTAs) and are prepping for minicamp. For the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>, OTAs were a good opportunity to see the future 2019 squad altogether. The rookies got to work with the veterans and the team is taking shape. Now would be as good a time as any to grade each Pittsburgh Steelers position group as they head into minicamp and eventually training camp. Today, we will focus on the offensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n

Handing Out Positional Pittsburgh Steelers OTA Grades<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Quarterbacks<\/h3>\n

The first of the Steelers position groups to look at is the quarterback group. Currently, the roster sports four players at the position. Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/strong> is the veteran leader of this group, followed by third-year Joshua Dobbs<\/a><\/strong>, second-year Mason Rudolph<\/strong>, and lastly undrafted free agent Devlin Hodges<\/strong>. To the surprise of no one, Roethlisberger is the starter of this group with the more intriguing story being who will be the backup and possible future of Steelers at this position.<\/p>\n

Both Dobbs and Rudolph are using each and every opportunity to learn and prove themselves as the backup. Dobbs had a strong preseason last year but struggled in limited playing time during the season. Rudolph didn’t receive any meaningful action last season but was granted more time with the starters during OTAs. Possessing an almost identical build to Roethlisberger, Rudolph is likely the odds-on favorite to be the future Steelers quarterback. Hodges was the most prolific quarterback in FCS football last year and the player of the year, but he likely will be cut or made a member of the practice squad.<\/p>\n

With a future Hall of Famer as the starter and two young guys with a ton of potential, albeit with minimal experience, the Steelers have a strong quarterback group.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Running Backs<\/h3>\n

Next up for the Pittsburgh Steelers position grades is the running back group. There are seven members of this group, led by James Conner<\/a><\/strong>, as well as fullback Roosevelt Nix<\/a><\/strong>. This group is quite intriguing, as their youth and lack of experience are well documented. Joining Conner in this group are second-year guys Jaylen Samuels<\/a><\/strong> and Trey Edmunds<\/a><\/strong>. Samuels and Edmunds received limited looks last season, mostly when Conner was injured. That didn’t stop Samuels from having one of the best rookie performances for a running back in Steelers history against the New England Patriots<\/a> in Week 15.<\/p>\n

The running back group also features an intriguing addition and subtraction from the previous year. The subtraction, as many know, is Le’Veon Bell<\/a><\/strong>. Bell’s presence, or lack thereof, loomed over the team all of last season. Bell’s departure to the New York Jets<\/a> as a free agent truly hands the keys to Conner and this young group. A young group featuring the addition of rookie Benny Snell Jr<\/strong><\/a>., who has quickly earned himself many fans. He was also making himself known during OTAs as well.<\/p>\n

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Benny at the end. \ud83d\udc40 #Steelers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/P89KyTH9mf<\/a><\/p>\n

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) May 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n