Three key position battles that'll play out in Latrobe

Position battles are the lifeblood of training camps around the NFL. 

Veterans are trying to keep their positions, free agents are looking to solidify their place and rookies are striving to show that they belong. 

When the Steelers arrive at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., beginning with reporting day Wednesday, there will be no shortage of position battles as questions still surround the roster that Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan are trying to optimize. Some questions are more intriguing than others as they will play a crucial role in the team's fortunes.

The first may be the most obvious. Who will stand opposite George Pickens as the No. 2 receiver? 

The Steelers have a few different in-house options. Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III seem to be the top names on the list. But, let's also not shut down the possibility of Khan trading for another receiver as the season creeps closer. The Steelers have been connected to Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, Courtland Sutton, Terry McLaurin and Tee Higgins throughout the offseason. While they may seem like a stretch at this stage, the Steelers have $15.9 million in remaining cap space, which makes acquiring an outside option thoroughly possible. 

Wilson had a successful career at Michigan, catching 107 passes for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns, and drafting him in the third round of this year's draft could turn out to be a steal. He primarily worked out of the slot with the Wolverines and while he could fill that role in Pittsburgh, he could make his case for the No. 2 role. This video speaks for itself. 

Jefferson has been in the league for four years and has never secured more than 50 catches in a season, but that doesn't mean he couldn't impact the Steelers' offense this year. 

His best year came during the Rams' Super Bowl season in 2021. Jefferson was third on the team in receptions with 50 and tallied 802 yards and six touchdowns. 

Matthew Stafford often targeted him downfield and that's where Jefferson's value lies. Of his six touchdowns, three were 50 yards or more. Also, the 50 passes he caught traveled 586 yards in the air. Just take a look at this play from 2021. Jefferson created separation and only had to slow up for the ball. 

Russell Wilson likes to attack defenses deep, so if Jefferson can continue to create separation, stretch defenses and take attention away from Pickens, he may be a viable candidate. 

Calvin Austin III may be one of the last in-house candidates for this role. His speed and shiftiness are exciting but, at 5-9, he's slightly undersized. Other receivers like Quez Watkins, Marquez Callaway and Scotty Miller could be considered as well but are unlikely. 

Slot corner is easily the next biggest question mark on this roster. The opening was created after Cam Sutton received an eight-game suspension from the NFL for domestic violence. There are a few different options to fill the position from within but all may be taking a larger risk than Tomlin would like. 

Undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop and sixth-round pick Ryan Watts could both be in consideration for the role, but that's where the risk comes in. It may be a lot to put on a first-year player with no NFL experience, regardless of how they entered the league. 

Bishop played at West Virginia and tallied 67 tackles, four interceptions and 20 pass breakups in 2023. He had a decent summer with the Steelers and showed solid athleticism and good speed. At 5-9, 182 pounds, he may find he's best fit for the inside. With a good burst, transition speed and active hands, he has the physical attributes and the ball skills to at least work himself into the conversation. 

Watts played at safety during OTAs and minicamp, but at 6-2, 212 pounds he has the size to drop down into the slot. He excelled as a boundary corner at Texas and was great in run support. His length and athleticism need to be noted and he's also a great tackler.

While both rookies are options, a player from outside the organization may factor into this competition as there are several veteran cornerbacks, such as Patrick Peterson, on the market. He has experience in the system and while he may not have the athleticism to play on the outside anymore, he could slide into the slot and bring a veteran voice to a strong defense.

Lastly, let's talk right tackle. 

To start, the sky is the limit for this offensive line. Even though they are young, they are athletic and if they can develop a strong chemistry within Arthur Smith's new offense, they could excel in the regular season. 

There are still a few questions about where everyone lands, but I think at this point, Broderick Jones will end up at left tackle, Isaac Seumalo at left guard, Zach Frazier will start in the middle and James Daniels will wind up at right guard, leaving the right edge. 

Troy Fautanu is going to move heaven and earth to earn a starting position, as any first-round pick should. But, the questions that remain are, does he move to the right side after playing primarily left tackle at Washington? If so, who challenges him for that spot? 

Jones played right tackle after solidifying his spot on the line last year, but I believe he'll switch back to his more natural side at left tackle. So, does that mean Dan Moore thrusts himself into the right tackle conversation after playing at left tackle last year? Or does Moore reclaim his left tackle position, allowing Jones and Fautanu to compete for the right tackle position? It will be something to watch. But, how the offensive line takes shape as a whole will be interesting as well. 

The first practice takes place Thursday. 

That's when the fun begins.