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Steelers: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

By Russell S. Baxter

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Chris Wormley #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Chris Wormley #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 27: Ray-Ray McCloud #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on December 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 27: Ray-Ray McCloud #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on December 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

2. WR Ray-Ray McCloud

Is there a team in the league richer at the wide receiver position than the Black and Gold? Four-year pro JuJu Smith-Schuster – who hauled in 97 receptions in 2020 – re-upped with the club this season via a one-year deal (via Spotrac). Despite some issues with drops, Diontae Johnson is a talented performer and there’s three-year pro James Washington, who caught only 30 passes this past season but five for scores.

Then there’s Chase Claypool, who led Mike Tomlin’s team with 11 total touchdowns – catching 62 passes for 873 yards. Ray-Ray McCloud provided a spark on special teams but has also played for three teams in as many seasons. Is he on the bubble?

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1. DT Chris Wormley

When people speak of standout defensive lines, there’s a tendency to lean toward the four-man fronts opposed to the men who anchor the front of the 3-4. The Steelers have had their share of standouts in the three-man lineup. Earlier this century, there was a lot of ends Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel and nose tackle Casey Hampton.

These days, veteran Tyson Alualu is flanked by two-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt – the latter with 11 sacks in 2020. Last offseason, the Steelers gave a fifth-round pick to Baltimore for defensive tackle Chris Wormley. He didn’t make an impact in ‘20 and the team has added young defensive linemen in their recent drafts.

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