If there is one thing that the Pittsburgh Steelers are good at doing, it's finding diamonds to fit their football team. One of the many examples of this is when they were able to draft Antonio Brown with a sixth-round pick in 2010. Getting James Harrison as well as an undrafted free agent in 2002 is just another example of the elite talent that the Steelers were able to get out of relatively nothing. This year, three guys stand out to me and could have the potential to have a breakout year.
AP / Matt Slocum
Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown, left, runs past Green Bay Packers' Atari Bigby during the first half of Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
Drafted By The Steelers
Quincy Roche
Drafted by the Steelers in 2021 as a sixth-round pick, expectations were low for Roche. He would only be a practice squad member for the Steelers before getting an opportunity with the New York Giants in the same year. During the 2021 season, he would put up solid numbers with the Giants, recording 38 tackles with two and a half sacks and a forced fumble. The following year would not be the same though, he would only appear in three games and would only have two tackles.
Following a disappointing 2022 season, that left Roche as a free agent once again and the Steelers took this opportunity to get him back in the black and gold. On January 24, the Steelers signed him to a Reserve/Futures contract. If he is given the opportunity, I believe he can be a player to watch out for. He is only 25 and has a lot to prove. If the Steelers don't feel comfortable throwing Nick Herbig in a game yet, Roche could be a solid rotational piece.
Getty Images
Quincy Roche (No. 95) of the New York Giants during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 28, 2021.
Cory Trice Jr.
Everyone is talking about Darnell Washington and Joey Porter Jr. as the steals of this year's draft, but I think Trice could be the best value pick at where he was drafted. With the 241 pick, the Steelers were able to get Trice. This was an absolute shock to find him here as he was projected to be a fourth to fifth-round pick. But him falling in the draft is not what makes him special, it's the size that he has. Trice is 6'3, which is massive for a cornerback. In all honesty, he is built more like a safety, but the way he plays it is obvious that he is a better fit for the cornerback position.
Although the Steelers did some major revamping to their cornerback room this offseason, it is still not spectacular. I almost guarantee that Porter will see the field at some point in 2023, and I wouldn't be surprised if Trice gets a chance to show his worth this season. Having a year or two to sit and learn from Patrick Peterson could help Trice as well to develop into a future Pro Bowl cornerback.
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Pittsburgh Steelers seventh round pick, defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) attends the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh Friday, May 12, 2023.
Calvin Austin III
A fourth-round pick in last year's draft, there were a lot of eyes on Austin on what was a very lacking Steelers receiving core. Then right before the first preseason game, Austin would have a foot injury. At first, no one expected this to be anything major, but it would lead to him having surgery on it, ending his 2022 season before it would even start.
Austin may be the player that I am most excited to watch, the shiftiness and speed that he showed in college was something else. Although he is only 5'9", he plays like he is a giant on the field. Now that he is finally able to see the field again, I expect big things from him if he is given the opportunity this season.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Calvin Austin III makes an impressive catch during the Steelers OTA's in 2022.
So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Who are you most excited to see for the 2023 season? Let me know in the comments below!
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