In a matter of one week, Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and company will have to make some tough decisions.
The deadline to shave the Steelers' roster from 90 players to 53 is Aug. 29 and, while some spots are shored up and ready to be deployed for the season opener Sept. 10 against the 49ers, there are still several which have to be played out with practices and one final preseason test Thursday night against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Such is the case for two vital positions of Tomlin and Teryl Austin's defense, those being the depth along the line and backfield.
"Regardless of who we're playing, I just think the, you know, the 11th-hour push is there in games such as these for those vying for a limited number of spots, and I'm thankful that we have tough decisions," Tomlin said in his weekly press conference Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "That just means that we've had a good 90. And that's our goal, to bring the best 90 that we can into an environment and work with them and provide them with an opportunity to get better and show their skills and sort themselves out. And, so, there are going to be some tough decisions. Not only in the front, but in a lot of places. But, that's a good thing, and that's a credit to the work that the guys have done through this process."
The defensive line room is currently filled with 11 options to fulfill the roles along the interior. Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi are sure-fire locks as starters, and Keeanu Benton and DeMarvin Leal are second- and third-round picks, respectively, over the last two drafts and will be given their chances as depth options. But, competition has ensued among the options behind those four, with Montravius Adams returning after playing in all 17 games and starting nine in 2022. Breiden Fehoko was brought in with a reputation to plug up running lanes, Armon Watts is experienced with 17 games played in each of the last two seasons, and Isaiahh Loudermilk has taken noticeable strides over the last month and some change in training camp.
Those go without mentioning Manny Jones, rookie James Nyamwaya, and Jonathan Marshall, who are all young options on the outside looking in as it appears. Austin acknowledged Tuesday there might be a cut coming of a player that the organization feels is of NFL quality.
"I like the depth we have on the on the defensive line," Austin said. "I think those guys, it's been a great competition. And, there's going to be, you know, some tough decisions have to be made because I think at the end of the day, we may lose a guy that we know can play in the NFL. So, I think those guys, Milk (Loudermilk) and all those guys, they've been doing a really good job. The competition, it's a healthy competition, which is what I really like. The guys are pushing each other to be better. Not, you know, being petty about stuff. And, so, I think it'll be interesting to see how this shakes out this last week. But, I think there's -- it's been a really good group -- I really like that group."
Adams took more reps as the first-team nose tackle in training camp than Watts did, though Tomlin said last week Watts would "be given an opportunity to state a case for himself" prior to the deadline for cuts. Watts graded slightly higher than Adams in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and a major part of that was his tackling production in the run game. Watts recorded 24 solo tackles to Adams' 21 and assisted on 11 tackles to Adams' four last season.
"I think you've just got to think about finishing (the preseason) strong," Watts said Tuesday. "Obviously some things are going to come down to the wire and you can't let them dictate how you play. When you get out there you've just got to focus on what you can do and hope that you showed enough to put yourself in a good position.
Overall, Watts said he felt like he "gave it all I got" throughout training camp. Adams said he's the most comfortable in the 3- and 2i-techniques and sees a collective of diverse talent inside the Steelers' defensive line room.
"I don't really think it's a lot of competition in this D-line," Adams said. "I think it's about helping the next guy grow and be that much better. And I think, ultimately, that's why this D-Line group can help lead this team. ... We've got guys that are really selfless. I've been around, and you don't see that everywhere."
Fehoko is a unique case as a true nose tackle -- perhaps the only "true" nose tackle on the roster -- and his run-stopping ability is in all likelihood greater than what Watts or Adams could provide.
"Ultimately you want to hope that you left everything out on the plate out there throughout this whole camp process dating from early July up until now, and just the whole body of work and just knowing that you've done enough. I've left everything out there. ... I'm excited to go out there (Thursday) and put it on tape and let the chips fall where they fall."
Another major position battle on the defense lies within the slot cornerback position. Chandon Sullivan and the emerging Elijah Riley are, according to Tomlin, neck and neck for the starting spot.
"It's been tight," Tomlin said. "Both guys have been above the line. Both guys have made splash plays. And, so, we'll continue to rotate them in this last opportunity."
So, it sounds like Riley -- the former undrafted free agent out of Army who is now with his third team in four years -- is within the cut-line of 53. He had an impressive training camp in Latrobe and brings experience as a safety that can help translate in stopping the run from the slot position.
"Being able to do my job at a high level is the name of the game," Riley said. "If I can handle my one-eleventh on the field and everybody else handles theirs, that's winning football. My role is to do my job at a high level and make plays while I'm doing it. ... It's friendly competition, know what I mean? We're not turning our backs on one another. We've been giving each other tips, coaching each other, competing, sharpening our iron, and it's been a fun process."
Sullivan intercepted a pass in Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo. He brings two more years of experience than Riley, and he is coming off of a career-best seven passes defended and a career-best 60 solo tackles while manning the nickel position for the Vikings last year. Patrick Peterson has held his own in the slot throughout camp, as Tomlin said "I'm comfortable with what I've seen" from the veteran in that role.
But, Peterson will be needed outside for the beginning of the season, leaving Sullivan and Riley as the top two contenders inside.
"I think I've been real consistent," Sullivan said. "Not trying to force any plays, allowing plays to come to me, and trying not to give up anything. Just take my assignments and be the veteran guy."
