Preseason games don’t count towards your record, but they definitely mean a ton to players trying to prove themselves. Whether it’s new rookies, veterans on a new team, or just players trying to make improvement, the preseason can tell a lot. Joey Porter Jr., Calvin Austin III, Allen Robinson, Keanu Neal, and Kwon Alexander are five Steelers preseason players to pay close attention to.
Although he was the second Steeler drafted, Porter Jr. may end up being the most important rookie in 2023. Left tackle Broderick Jones will most likely get the start, but if he plays poorly, the team has depth behind him. Cornerback is a much thinner position for the Steelers.
Porter Jr. will most likely have to start on day one. Currently, the only other cornerback ahead of him on the depth chart is Patrick Peterson. Porter Jr. will be a key factor in how good the Steelers defense can be this year, which will ultimately determine the fate of the team.
Going into what will effectively be his rookie year, Austin III could use a kickstart in the preseason. Austin III missed all of 2022 with injury but still has a lot of promise. He currently sits a fourth on the Steelers’ depth chart, but it is possible he passes Robinson for third.
The speed of Austin III is the most important part of his game. The Steelers struggled mightily last year creating big plays down the field. Austin’s speed would be able to keep the defense honest and out of the box while hopefully making a few big plays.
Robinson will be in a tight battle against Austin III for the wide receiver three spot. The veteran has struggled in the past two years, failing to top 500 yards in both. However, he has also had bad luck with injuries, and is still only 29 years old.
Robinson can bring a veteran presence to the offense that was missing in 2022. A career revival in Pittsburgh is not out of the question by any means, but he will have to play well in order to keep his spot.
Keanu Neal is another veteran addition that fills a very important gap. With the departure of Terrell Edmunds, the strong safety position was left wide open. Neal was brought in specifically to play the Edmunds role in the defense.
The Steelers can use Neal to play deep safety as well as closer to the line of scrimmage. In addition, Neal has experience playing both linebacker and slot corner on other teams. With Neal, it’s more important to pay attention to where the Steelers use him, rather than his level of play in the Steelers preseason.
Alexander was the newest addition to the Steelers roster. He is the fourth inside linebacker that the Steelers brought in through free agency. The starting rotation during the season should be between Alexander, Cole Holcomb, and Elandon Roberts.
Alexander may not be a full time starter, but he does provide a much needed option for the Steelers. On early downs, they will most likely be playing Elandon Roberts to stop the run. Where Roberts lacks is in coverage. Alexander should be the one to come in on passing downs and cover backs and tight ends. It’s important to watch how he fits into this new system and whether or not he gets starting reps in Steelers preseason games.
Stay tuned for more exciting NFL content, including roster moves, in depth analysis, and more news from around the league.Â
Feature image courtesy of Steelers.com
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