The 2019 season has brought a wave of injuries to the Steelers, testing their depth at several positions and challenging Kevin Colbert and the organization to find quality depth players around the NFL to add.
Among the several players that have stepped up are two additions signed from opposing practice squads: Deon Cain and Kerrith Whyte. Cain came from the Colts' practice squad as a 2018 sixth round pick from Clemson and Whyte a 2019 seventh round pick off the Bears' practice squad from Florida Atlantic.
We get into how they've contributed to the Steelers' offense:
Both are speedsters. Cain ran a 4.43 40 yard dash as a 6-foot-2, 202-pound receiver and Whyte ran a 4.36 40 yard dash as a 5-foot-10, 204-pound running back.
When you're being added to a roster in the middle of season, you need to have a factor to your game that stands out if you want to make yourself valuable enough to stick around. Both Whyte and Cain are speedsters who offer quick feet not only to breeze past defenders, but also make people miss.
Whyte has offered a spark as a spell running back who makes defenders miss in space. It's not enough to just have straight-line speed, but how quickly you can move between gaps. That's Whyte's specialty is both between the tackles and out on the edge.
Watch how he works his way through the middle of the Bengals' defense without selling out too hard on his speed. He maintains his balance with constant footwork that allows him to make cuts and make defenders miss in the hole:
The offensive line has been more consistent in the run offense in recent weeks. Since Devlin Hodges took over against the Bengals, the Steelers have rushed for 159 yards against the Bengals, 124 against the Browns, 140 against the Cardinals. Whyte hasn't carried the mail for the team, but he has made the occasional play.
Watch this zone run where the Steelers motion Tevin Jones out of the box to draw Byron Murphy from the box, allowing the offensive line to get the matchups they want:
Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro start by doubling defensive tackle Corey Peters until DeCastro chips to Jordan Hicks. What's great behind that is how Whyte sees this develop and cuts inside of DeCastro's block on Hicks. Whyte's feet are always chopping and that allows him to change direction quickly, giving him a better chance to make defenders miss:
Cain's speed has also been impressive, but not for having Martavis Bryant type of speed. He's shown the ability to win the occasional jump all and force defenders to respect his speed, then capitalize when given the opportunity.
Here's a very good route against B.W. Webb and the Bengals weeks ago:
Webb comes out showing man coverage by playing press and lining up to Cain's inside shoulder. Cain knows he has to get to the sideline, so his first false steps challenge Webb to the inside to give him space to run. Once he's there, he wins a jump ball from Mason Rudolph.
We saw that move again this weekend when he beat first round rookie Byron Murphy for a 22-yard gain:
Again, Cain's first attack on his route is to get Murphy honor an interior route, then get to working up the sideline. Once he gets his space he looks for a well-timed back shoulder throw from Hodges and makes the catch, even if he does get away with a push-off.
These aren't individual performances that would shake up the entire roster, but they're moments when teams can rely on role players to open up chances for a struggling offense. Whyte only has 94 yards on 14 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry.
Cain is similar in that he's been targeted three times and caught all three passes for 62 yards. Both players made the team for their speed and explosiveness, but they're staying because they've capitalized in their very limited opportunities.
MORE CLASSROOM
Dec. 9: Haden plays hero
Dec. 6: How to stop mobile QBs
Dec. 5: Strong coverage chemistry
Dec. 4: Hodges’ deep ball decisions
