5 Dark-Horse Candidates to Make Pittsburgh Steelers' Final 53-Man Roster

There are a number of Pittsburgh Steelers storylines to follow at this point in the summer. There are training-camp battles to look forward to, there's the division of labor between the outside linebackers that still needs determining and there are rookies to continue to monitor.

But there are other players to watch, as well—the dark-horse candidates to make the Steelers' 53-man roster. Putting the pads on, and playing in the preseason, does much to determine who makes the team and who doesn't. Here are five players who could earn themselves jobs with the Steelers this season.

LB Anthony Chickillo

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Though linebacker Anthony Chickillo was selected by the Steelers in Round 6 of this year's draft to help boost their pass rush, which isn't the strongest area of his game. He totaled only 12 sacks in three years at Miami, with three in 2014. 

Steelers Depot's John Ledyard broke down Chickillo's pass-rushing deficiencies last month and came away seeing a player who has much to learn in that area before he can make a major on-field impact for the Steelers. But he did note that Chickillo is a much better run defender—and it's that prowess against the run that could earn him a spot on the Steelers' 53-man roster.

Though the Steelers allowed only 97.1 rushing yards per game last year, they did give up 4.2 yards per rush to their opponents. If Chickillo shows off his run-stopping skills in the Steelers' five preseason games, there may be room for him to make the 53-man roster as a run defense specialist while he continues to learn the nuances of the pass rush.

CB Kevin Fogg

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The Steelers are currently embroiled in the process to figure out their starting cornerback rotation. Undrafted 2014 cornerback Kevin Fogg may not be in that discussion yet, but he could force his way in. Why?

Because Fogg has a lot in common with Antwon Blake, another formerly undrafted player who eventually worked his way up to starter last year. Or at least the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly sees some of Blake's game in Fogg.

Kaboly said during June's minicamp that, "Fogg has done enough in the spring to show he has the talent to stick." Given that last year Blake was promoted because Cortez Allen was struggling and Ike Taylor was hurt, it's not far-fetched that a similar situation could play out this year. That's why keeping Fogg on the 53-man roster may be a wise move.

RB Ross Scheuerman

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There is only one Le'Veon Bell in the NFL. But there aren't many other backs on the Steelers roster who can provide similar versatility as a runner and a receiver like Bell—that is, other than undrafted rookie Ross Scheuerman. Because of that versatility, Scheuerman is absolutely a candidate to make the Steelers' 53-man roster this year.

In 2014, Scheuerman totaled 236 carries for 1,191 yards and 12 scores while also catching 57 passes for 521 yards and three scores. Helping matters is that, until his senior year, he also worked as Lafayette's primary kick returner until his coaches determined he was too valuable to his team to risk that additional injury.

Because the Steelers are still looking for a solution at kick returner, Scheuerman has added value to the team this year. Add in his versatility on offenseand Scheuerman could be one of the final signings to the Steelers' 53-man roster.

CB Doran Grant

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The Steelers chose two cornerbacks in the 2015 NFL draft, with Senquez Golson selected in Round 2 and Doran Grant in Round 4.

Golson seems a lock to make the 53-man roster and could even walk away with the team's starting nickel cornerback job this year. And while Grant may be a longer shot to make the roster, with Golson reserving a spot, it's possible he can make it based upon how good of a preseason and training camp he has.

Steelers' defensive backs coach Carnell Lake said in June that he's not opposed to putting rookies on the field this year, despite the team rarely doing so. He said to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo that, "From day one, I was thrown in the fire. You make a lot of mistakes. If you can correct those quickly, and make some plays while you're doing it, you can stay around a while."

Lake added, "I've got my eyes on a couple of guys who can help us. Based on our history, one of the younger guys has had to step in. I like their demeanor. They're very professional. They're diligent and want to get better, and they're showing they do have some playmaking ability. It's just a matter of bringing them along."

While Lake didn't name names, it's likely that Grant is one of those "couple of guys" who have stood out. And if Grant can also be an impact player on special teams that makes it even more likely that he can make the 53-man roster as a rookie.

QB/WR Devin Gardner

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Undrafted rookie quarterback-slash-wide-receiver Devin Gardner isn't the only hybrid offensive player on the roster—there's also Tyler Murphy, the former Boston College quarterback also working at wide receiver for the Steelers this offseason. And there's no guarantee that either will be in the Steelers' 53-man roster plans. But one could certainly get through, and Garder has the chance to be the one who does.

Gardner and Murphy have been swapping duties in practices this year, according to Jacob Klinger of PennLive.com, one playing quarterback, while the other plays wide receiver. That back-and-forth will continue through the summer, and in all likelihood, both Gardner and Murphy could get snaps at quarterback in one of the Steelers' five preseason games.

Gardner, who completed 60.4 percent of his passes as a quarterback for Michigan, for 44 touchdowns to 32 interceptions, is also a versatile weapon. He rushed 342 times in college, for 916 yards and 24 scores and also caught 18 passes for 286 more yards and four touchdowns.

This could allow him to be a mysterious weapon for the Steelers this year. He could also feasibly beat out backup quarterbacks Landry Jones and Tajh Boyd. And if he can take some of those receiving and rushing skills and translate them to the kick- or punt-return games, Gardner could edge out Murphy as the Steelers' rookie "slash" player this year.