Steelers veteran believes undrafted rookie is 'going to be a great player'

It's not often that an undrafted rookie makes enough of an impression to earn reps with the first-team defense to start training camp, but that's exactly what is happening in Pittsburgh.

Undrafted rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop has been one of the biggest stars of Steelers training camp thus far, flashing his coverage ability over the first two days.

Bishop hasn't just impressed his coaches, either. Veteran safety DeShon Elliott believes Bishop's NFL future is looking bright.

"He's doing good. A rook doing his best, learning every day," Elliott said . "I think he's going to be a great player if he keeps being persistent, keeps wanting to learn and grow."

Why Bishop went undrafted is up for debate. The West Virginia product was all over the field in 2023, registering a career-high 67 tackles, four interceptions and 20 passes defensed. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.

Bishop's unideal start in the league may be due to him being undersized at 5-foot-10, 184 pounds, but being overlooked is nothing new to him.

"I always play with a chip on my shoulder," Bishop stated.

Still, Bishop has far from earned the starting slot cornerback role, and he knows it.

"I have to come back tomorrow and prove myself again and do the same thing the next day," Bishop said . "I'm trying to take advantage of all the reps that I get. Every day I'm coming to compete for a spot just like everyone else."

One way Bishop is trying to better his game is by studying the tape of another Steelers undrafted cornerback, Mike Hilton.

"I was studying some of his tape," Bishop added. "You always evolve as a player. Everybody takes a piece of somebody else's game and try to tweak it for their own personal use."

If Bishop can turn out to be anything like Hilton, Pittsburgh will be patting itself on the back for giving him a chance. Hilton has established himself as one of the NFL's best slot corners and is entering his ninth season in the league after earning himself a four-year, $24 million payday in 2021 from the Bengals.

All Bishop needs is a fair shot, but early signs support he'll get just that.

"Yeah, for sure," Bishop concluded. "Coach Mike (Tomlin) says it's not about how you got here."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.