2024 Steelers training camp positional breakdown: Offense

Here’s a look at the Steelers roster on the offensive side of the ball entering training camp. Players report to Saint Vincent on Wednesday.

Quarterbacks

3 RUSSELL WILSON · 5-11 · 206

A likely Hall of Famer, but at 35 years old and coming off a Denver tenure that compelled the Broncos to eat money to rid themselves of him, it’s fair to wonder what Wilson has left.

2 JUSTIN FIELDS · 6-3 · 227

In an alternate world, Carolina wasn’t hideous last season, the Bears as a result didn’t fall into the No. 1 pick and would have decided to ride with Fields this year atop a revamped, up-and-coming offense. Instead, he’s a QB2 at a career crossroads in Pittsburgh.

4 KYLE ALLEN · 6-3 · 210

The QB2 for one of the NFL’s best teams behind one of its best quarterbacks last season (Buffalo, Josh Allen), Kyle Allen (no relation) would figure to be one of the league’s best third stringers in 2024.

18 JOHN RHYS PLUMLEE · 6-0 · 200

The starter as a true freshman in the SEC and also a high-level baseball player, Plumlee has the athleticism to play in the NFL. But he probably doesn’t have the arm talent.

Running backs

22 NAJEE HARRIS · 6-1 · 242

His fifth-year option declined in May made this a contract year for Harris, who hasn’t been flashy or splashy but has been reliable and productive (4,135 scrimmage yards, 28 touchdowns) over three seasons since he was a first-round pick.

30 JAYLEN WARREN · 5-8 · 215

Warren went from undrafted rookie in summer 2022 to a near-identical split of playing time with Harris in 2023. Can he surpass Harris as the RB1 in 2024? It’s also a contract year for Warren (restricted free agent in ’25).

48 JONATHAN WARD · 6-0 · 202

A five-year NFL veteran of 42 regular-season games, Ward was signed after a tryout at rookie minicamp. He’s more of a special teamer but could provide depth offensively in a pinch.

31 DAIJUN EDWARDS · 5-10 · 201

The leading rusher for the college team that spent most of last season ranked No. 1 in the country, Edwards won two national titles while at Georgia. He was considered one of the top undrafted free agents available after Round 7.

38 LA’MICAL PERINE · 5-11 · 216

Perine brings not only 17 games of NFL regular-season experience since he was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2020, he has a Super Bowl ring after filling a special-teams role during most of Kansas City’s playoff run this past year.

33 AARON SHAMPKLIN · 5-10 · 195

A Harvard alumnus, Shampklin for a variety of reasons has appeared in just 17 live games of any kind since 2018. That includes NFL preseason games and a brief XFL stint. He had 12 touchdowns as a senior in college.

45 JACK COLLETTO · 6-3 · 237

Colletto was a junior-college quarterback who ended up at Oregon State, where he ultimately moved to linebacker and then fullback. The Steelers did not carry a full-time fullback last season but might value Colletto and his versatility.

Wide receivers

14 GEORGE PICKENS · 6-3 · 200

There’s never been any doubting of Pickens’ talents and abilities, and he’s had a productive first two NFL seasons. But can he handle the weight of being an unquestioned WR1 and the additional attention from defenses and mental stressors it can cause?

11 VAN JEFFERSON · 6-1 · 200

The favorite as camp opens for the vacant WR2 gig, Jefferson served in that role for the 2021 Super Bowl champion L.A. Rams. But his career has stalled since: 20 catches in 2023, three teams over a six-month span.

10 ROMAN WILSON · 5-10 · 186

Despite the trade of Diontae Johnson and the lack of a big-name free-agent signing, the Steelers waited until Round 3 to draft a receiver. They believe in Wilson, but it is asking a lot for a rookie to be a significant part of the offense.

19 CALVIN AUSTIN III · 5-9 · 162

Austin’s speed can create problems for defenses, and he’s made big plays in games (preseason and regular season). There’s a niche for that — but it doesn’t seem as if Austin is anything more than a WR4 or WR5.

13 SCOTTY MILLER · 5-9 · 174

One of the many acquisitions who in the past played under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Miller won a Super Bowl ring as a secondary target for Tom Brady’s Bucs in 2020. On a one-year deal, he’s seeking a role.

16 QUEZ WATKINS · 6-0 · 193

Another veteran signed to one-year contract, Watkins is similar to Miller and even Jefferson in that his production has been up-and-down and his career is at a crossroads. He’s considered a deep threat but averaged just 9.5 yards per catch in 2023.

17 MARQUEZ CALLAWAY · 6-2 · 204

An under-the-radar candidate for a role in the offense, Callaway has 45 games, 17 starts and 83 receptions worth of NFL experience with the Saints. But they let him go last year, and he’s been cut three times since.

82 DEZ FITZPATRICK · 6-2 · 208

Fitzpatrick has remained with the Steelers over the past 18 months, mostly on the practice squad, though he was in uniform for last Oct. 1’s loss in Houston. He’s popular with his teammates and a dark horse to carve out a 2024 role.

85 DUECE WATTS · 6-1 · 196

Another player who’s been with the organization dating to last year, Watts was originally signed in May 2023 by the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane. He joined the Steelers practice squad Sept. 20.

89 JACOB COPELAND · 6-0 · 202

One of three players signed since the Steelers last convened at minicamp, Copeland had separate 21- and six-day stints on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie last season. He had brief stints with three other teams.

21 JARAY JENKINS · 6-2 · 206

Part of the national champion Joe Burrow-led 2019 LSU team, Jenkins was productive in college and has the size but lacks top speed. He spent last year’s camp as an undrafted rookie with the Jaguars.

Tight ends

88 PAT FREIERMUTH · 6-5 · 258

Freiermuth had seven TDs as a rookie and 732 yards in Year 2. But his production cratered last season (32 catches, 308 yards). An IR stint played a role, but in a contract year, the Steelers need a big season.

80 DARNELL WASHINGTON · 6-7 · 264

A behemoth of a man, Washington is going to be forever viewed as a strong blocker with questionable receiving skills. He had seven catches as a rookie in 2023. It will be interesting to see if Arthur Smith (and/or Russell Wilson) looks to him more.

83 CONNOR HEYWARD · 6-0 · 230

Heyward served as TE3, the top fullback (in the rare instances one was used) and a core special teamer last season. Aside from perhaps ceding fullback to Jack Colletto, expect more of the same in 2024.

81 MYCOLE PRUITT · 6-2· 258

Pruitt is with a team that has Smith calling its plays for a third time. His reputation is that he’s a good blocker, but 12 touchdowns among 96 targets and 71 catches suggests a nose for the end zone.

87 RODNEY WILLIAMS · 6-4 · 235

A converted college wide receiver, “Hot Rod” was a playmaker during last year’s camp. He eventually earned a promotion to the active roster, appearing in the final 14 games (including playoffs) as a special teamer and depth tight end.

Offensive linemen

73 ISAAC SEUMALO · 6-4 · 303

The nine-year veteran was considered the best guard on the market in 2023 free agency, and Seumalo largely lived up to his billing. He played every game at left guard and could be called the Steelers’ best O-linemen in ’23.

78 JAMES DANIELS · 6-4 · 327

Entering the third and final season of his free-agent contract, Daniels has been solid at right guard. He seemingly won’t be back in 2025, though, and the team is hopeful the succession plan is Mason McCormick.

77 BRODERICK JONES· 6-5 · 311

Jones didn’t disappoint as a rookie after the Steelers traded up to 14th overall in last year’s draft. He started the final 10 games at right tackle. His long-term home, though, is said to be on the left side. But when?

65 DAN MOORE JR. · 6-5 · 315

Is it ironic that Moore started in 2021 as a rookie fourth-round pick, and his presence now two years in a row appears to be preventing successive rookie first-round picks from starting? Moore is scheduled for free agency in March.

71 NATE HERBIG · 6-4 · 334

For now, the starter at center. But who starts the season opener there has more to do with Zach Frazier’s development and readiness than anything Herbig shows. At the least, Herbig is a quality, experienced and amenable interior backup.

76 TROY FAUTANU · 6-4 · 317

After a lengthy college résumé for a national finalist, Fautanu was generally considered a plug-and-play first-round prospect. But will he beat out Moore? And is his long-term home at left or right tackle? Or maybe guard?

54 ZACH FRAZIER · 6-3 · 310

A strong draft class of centers allowed the Steelers to show patience and grab Frazier in Round 2. He started 46 games at West Virginia and seems to have the strength and demeanor the Steelers covet at the position.

74 SPENCER ANDERSON · 6-5 · 305

A jack-of-all trades as a rookie last season, Anderson spent the summer focusing solely on guard. He was in uniform for eight games and impressed to a level belying a seventh-round pick.

66 MASON MCCORMICK · 6-5 · 315

An intriguing fourth-round pick, McCormick made 57 consecutive starts to end his career while anchoring an offensive line for two-time reigning FCS national champion South Dakota State. The Steelers believe he can be a future starter.

60 DYLAN COOK · 6-6 · 305

Cook was the biggest surprise of those who made the season-opening 53-man roster last season, a May signing after spending time as a rookie in 2022 on the Bucs practice squad. Cook began his college career as a QB.

62 RYAN McCOLLUM · 6-5 · 300

After the offseason release of two-year starting center Mason Cole, McCollum was repeatedly cited by Steelers management as a possible replacement. He made a start at center in 2021 as an undrafted rookie with the Lions.

79 JOEY FISHER · 6-4 · 296

A product of the PSAC in Division II Shepherd, where he blocked for future Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, Fisher spent last year’s camp with the 49ers but much of the regular season on the Steelers practice squad.

69 TYLER BEACH · 6-6 · 290

Beach made 29 starts over five seasons at O-line factory Wisconsin, mostly playing tackle. He projects more as a guard in the pros, though he was a tackle as an undrafted rookie for the Texans this past preseason.

68 ANDERSON HARDY · 6-6 · 301

A standout tackle at Appalachian State, Hardy spent last year’s preseason as a guard after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs. Added in January, the Steelers internally list Hardy as a center, but the team’s public website has him as a tackle.

67 DEVERY HAMILTON · 6-6 · 310

One of two players on the roster born in Germany, Hamilton moved to the U.S. at age 9. After a college career at Stanford and Duke, Hamilton went undrafted and the Steelers are his third NFL team. He has nine regular-season games of experience.