Steelers Minicamp: Promising LB is suddenly fighting for a roster spot after busy offseason
With mandatory minicamp upon us, the time is ticking for multiple Pittsburgh Steelers. A precursor to the most important time of the year for the back half of the roster, how the bottom 45 players on the team perform over this week's three-day stretch will be a preview for their chances of making the final […]
With mandatory minicamp upon us, the time is ticking for multiple Pittsburgh Steelers.
A precursor to the most important time of the year for the back half of the roster, how the bottom 45 players on the team perform over this week's three-day stretch will be a preview for their chances of making the final 53.
Here are three defenders with the most at stake during mandatory minicamp:
LB Mark Robinson
Robinson was a breath of fresh air when drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, bringing intensity and tenacity back to a LB corps that had been missing for some time.
And while he will undoubtedly continue that trend, the nuances of his game like block shedding and pass coverage didn't take a big step forward in 2023. He now heads into year three and into an LB room that is suddenly crowded at the top, meaning he could be fighting for a special teams role just to stick around in 2024.
CB Beanie Bishop
Bishop was touted as one of the best UDFA signings for the Steelers this draft cycle and was an early candidate to be a contender for the starting slot CB role.
But following the signing of Cam Sutton, the reunion between him and Pittsburgh all but ensures he will be the team's starting nickel.
That suddenly leaves Bishop fighting for a roster spot, though he likely would have been anyway given his UDFA status.
More than capable of making plays on the ball, he will need a few interceptions and or pass breakups throughout the three-day minicamp to get the ball rolling in terms of momentum for training camp.
DL DeMarvin Leal
A third-round pick (84th overall) in 2022, Leal has shown flashes of the player he can become, but he has yet to put it all together. Whether it is finding his place on the DL, or fitting into his body as a tweener, there has always been something missing with Leal.
But as he approaches year three, he will need to take a big step forward to be a part of the team's defensive line rotation after the Steelers added veteran Dean Lowry and rookie Logan Lee.
That big step starts with a solid mandatory minicamp for the Steelers.
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Three defensive storylines to watch at mandatory minicamp.
