The Pittsburgh Steelers have rolled right along through the early part of the season. When you look back at this teams success you won't have to search long to find some big time continuation from a number of players. However, there are some players that aren't quite meeting expectation. Be it a big contract, injury, misuse, or just generally not hitting their projections. The Steelers would love to get a bigger impact from the following players.
Derek Watt
The Steelers fullback is the third highest paid player at his position across the NFL. Watt has also battled a hamstring injury that took him out of three different games. When healthy Watt has been a force in special teams, and has sprung some long runs when he’s lead blocking on offense. The problem is he doesn't get to play many offensive snaps, and when he does he never gets the ball.
For his price tag, I would like the Steelers coaches to utilize what they have at fullback. In this circumstance it really isn't the players fault.
Ulysees Gilbert III
BTSC’s 2020 Redman award winner, has completely disappeared since the start of the season. As a matter of fact the middle linebacker has only appeared in one game, while being designated a healthy scratch every other week. What ever is going on behind the scenes keeping Gilbert out of the line up better figure itself out quick. As the season ending injury to Devin Bush is going to force Gilbert into game action. We can only hope he’s ready.
Jaylen Samuels
The Steelers third year running back has slid all the way to the bottom of the teams depth chart. Samuels, once had a promising future with the club after lighting up the Patriots back in 2018, now looks like someone on the brink of being cut. I don't know whether or not Samuels can pull himself out of the tail spin at this point, but if he receives any more touches in 2020 he will need more positive results.
Chris Wormley
When the Steelers dealt for someone off of the Ravens roster it initially sent shockwaves around Steelers nation. The biggest question being why would the two rival teams do this. At this point it looks as though the Steelers may have wasted a second consecutive fifth round pick. Wormley, who is in a contract year, has rarely seen the field. When he does play he is nearly invisible. With just three tackles (one solo) in five games it hard not to look over at Baltimore and what they received with their fifth round pick (Calais Campbell). Wormley needs to up his production as the top back up defensive lineman.
Names not appearing on my list:
JuJu Smith-Schuster: The most veteran Steelers receiver has struggled to put up wide receiver one stats but has taken the attention from other teams top corners. This in turn has given guys like Chase Claypool, and James Washington a lot of room to work. Smith-Schuster appearing on the injury report with a knee injury on a weekly basis also screams to me that he isn't quite healthy and is gutting out the pain.
Justin Layne: The 2019 third round pick hasn't gotten to play much, at all. This really isn't the Michigan State alum’s fault. The four corners listed above Layne on the depth chart are some of the leagues best and it would be hard for nearly anyone to supplant the Steelers starters.
What do you think? Did I miss any names? Let us know down in the comments below!