Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Players With The Biggest Opportunities This Camp

Due to the rules of the new CBA, players who have signed new contracts with teams have not been able to participate in training camp to this point.

With the players expected to ratify the CBA today, the NFL’s new league year will officially begin and all players will be allowed to practice with their new teams.

Here are 10 players on the Steelers who have a huge opportunity to show what they have in camp and gain some more playing time.

Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith S

Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith was in camp with the Steelers last year and was thought to be a dark horse to make the team in 2010.

Cromartie-Smith has the size the Steelers love in their safeties and I think there is a good chance that the team cuts Will Allen.

If Cromartie-Smith can have another good camp and show some development, he could end up making the Steelers as the team’s fourth safety.

Any Cornerback Not Named Ike Taylor

Keenan Lewis, Crezdon Butler, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen, Donovan Warren, Niles Brinkley

The Steelers did exactly what they needed to do in free agency and re-signed top corner Ike Taylor however, the rest of the depth chart still needs to be determined.

As of right now, Bryant McFadden is the Steelers' No. 2 corner although, I can see someone taking his spot if they really step up in camp and the preseason.

William Gay has already shown that he is terrible so that is why I do not have him listed above and, all of these guys have the opportunity to fight for the third corner or at least a special teams job on the Steelers.

Chris Scott T/G

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Christ Scott in the fifth round of last year’s draft, however, he did not play at all in 2010 due to starting the season on the PUP list because of a foot injury.

The Steelers thought enough of Scott to make sure there was room on the roster when he came off of the PUP list during the season.

Now with there being maybe three or four vacant spots on the offensive line, Scott has the opportunity to fight for a starting job.

Limas Sweed WR

Limas Sweed has been a complete bust as a Pittsburgh Steeler although there was some hope for him going into last offseason before he was hurt for the season.

Now there is that same hint of optimism from fans for Sweed to finally show up and learn how to catch the football.

Hines Ward has been out and with Emmanuel Sanders being out for the next three weeks, Sweed has a great opportunity to solidify a roster spot for himself.

Rookie Receivers

Eric Greenwood, Terrence McCrae, Adam Mims, Armand Robinson

As stated in my previous slide, the Steelers have had some injury concerns in the receiving corps which opens up opportunities for everyone else.

There is still a chance the Steelers cut Arnaz Battle and if Limas Sweed has a bad camp, one of these guys could sneak onto the roster.

With the undrafted rookies there is also Tyler Grisham and Wes Lyons in this competition for maybe one or two spots on the Steelers roster.

Keith Williams G

With all of the uncertainty already stated on the Steelers offensive line, there are a lot of opportunities for a guy like Keith Williams to take advantage of.

With not all of the Steelers’ players able to practice yet due to the CBA problems, Williams has been practicing with the first team offensive line.

Even though players are expected back today, Williams has gotten some valuable time in and will definitely be in the competition for a starting spot on the line.

Marcus Gilbert T

When the Steelers drafted Marcus Gilbert in the second round of this year’s draft, I said that I thought he had a chance to develop into the Steelers future left tackle.

With the team cutting both Max Starks and Flozell Adams, there are huge holes on the offensive line and there has been speculation that Gilbert could be an option in his rookie year.

Even though Gilbert has been hampered early with an injury, he has a huge opportunity to maybe be the Steelers starting left tackle or at worst compete for other spots on the line.

Stevenson Sylvester LB

Stevenson Sylvester is not in danger of being cut from the Steelers, however, he has a great opportunity to get himself a lot more playing time.

Sylvester showed to be a great special teams guy last season and looks to be the inside linebacker of the future for the team.

The Steelers still have Larry Foote on the roster at the moment and if Sylvester can show big development, the team could have him be the primary backup and cut Foote.

Weslye Saunders TE

I think most Steelers let out a little cheer, or at least I did, when they saw that Matt Spaeth had signed with the Chicago Bears.

Spaeth was a big disappointment in Pittsburgh and his departure has opened up an opportunity for someone to become the second tight end behind Heath Miller.

Saunders will be competing mainly with David Johnson however, Johnson has been mostly used as a fullback in his career and Saunders could end up being a great pick up as an undrafted free agent.

Baron Batch RB

Not many people expected the Steelers to bring back Mewelde Moore and especially when the team used their seventh round pick in this year’s draft on Baron Batch.

Even though the Steelers re-signed Moore, Batch has the chance to show the Steelers that he can be an adequate, younger and cheaper replacement.

According to Steelers.com, Batch has been very impressive so far in camp and this could mean that Mewelde Moore may not make the team this year.