Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 Potential Sleepers to Watch for in Training Camp

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The Pittsburgh Steelers started training camp on Tuesday and we’ll finally get to see how the 2012 team is going to look.

It’s exciting that football is back and we only have about two weeks until the Steelers take on the Philadelphia Eagles in their first preseason game.

Every year there are a few surprises in camp and here are six players to keep an eye on in camp this year.

Toney Clemons WR

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With Mike Wallace not in camp yet that leaves Toney Clemons fourth on the depth chart behind Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery.

Most have Clemons making the team as the fifth receiver anyway due to little competition, however, that doesn’t mean he can’t impress in camp.

The Steelers have endured a multitude of injuries at the receiver position and Clemons has the opportunity to prove he can be trusted if indeed he is called upon this year.

John Clay RB

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John Clay has a big hill to climb at the running back position with Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch and Chris Rainey all ahead of him.

Clay only has a small sample size from last season but both Dwyer and Batch are coming off of injuries and Rainey is more of a RB/WR, slash type of player.

The Steelers will most likely put Clay on the practice squad, however, don’t be surprised to see him make a push for a roster spot in camp.

Kelvin Beachum G

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Kelvin Beachum has been pegged as a practice squad player at best since he was drafted by the Steelers in April.

At most the Steelers keep nine offensive linemen out of camp which leaves Beachum in competition with Ramon Foster as a backup guard.

I like both players and it will be interesting to see if Beachum can play well enough to earn a spot on the roster over Foster.

Will Johnson FB

One of the best competitions in camp is definitely going to be between David Johnson and Will Johnson at the FB position.

David is a former TE but has never really been a part of the Steelers offense with only 18 career receptions in his four seasons.

Will Johnson is a better receiver and athlete and he will win this battle if he can just prove himself as a blocker.

Terry Carter CB

We may not be certain on the order but the top four corners on the Steelers are Ike Taylor, Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown.

That leaves at least one spot on the roster for a corner to play special teams and that battle will be mainly between seventh-round pick Terrence Frederick and undrafted free-agent Terry Carter.

Frederick has been thought to have the inside track for a roster spot, but Carter could overtake him with a good camp.