Steelers training camp: Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu shine as several UDFA’s have big days

LATROBE, PA- While practice was largely overshadowed by the news of Chris Boswell and Cam Heyward both seeking pay raises, there was plenty of action on the field in what was the final practice before the team takes on the Jaguars in Jacksonville this weekend. Here are my biggest takeaways from Thursday’s practice:

Full seven shots results

1. Jaylen Warren takes the handoff and punches it in for the TD.
2. Rodgers tries to hit Scotty Miller, but the pass falls incomplete with Derrick Harmon closing in.
3. Rodgers scrambles and eventually finds Brandon Johnson in the back of the endzone for the TD.
4. Mason Rudolph tries to hit Lance McCutcheon on a slant, but Juan Thornhill breaks it up.
5. Rudolph finds Evan Hull in the flat for a walk in TD.
6. Skylar Thompson finds Ke’Shawn Williams for a TD.
7. Rodgers makes a great throw to Miller in the back of the endzone, but the receiver couldn’t get both feet down. Offense wins 4-3.

Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu post their best practice to date

I was thoroughly impressed with both of the presumptive Steelers starting tackles today. Rodgers was able to extend a play in seven shots, a period where he had great blocking overall. Fautanu and Jones were more than holding their own in team periods as well, constantly winning reps. Jones, a 2023 first-round pick, is in what feels like a make-or-break year. Fautanu only played 55 snaps as a rookie, but has been a standout throughout camp. Both of the young tackles will be worth watching in the preseason.

The battle to make the 53-man roster heats up for the wide receivers

The Steelers have a wide-open receiver room. Beyond DK Metcalf, it is truly anyone’s guess who steps in as the second and third option in that room.

The far-and-away favorites right now would be Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson. With four receivers virtually locked to make the team, that leaves about two spots maximum for any combination of veterans or undrafted free agents. In all honesty, many of these fringe roster players are making it very difficult for the Steelers to choose which ones will make the team.

Ben Skrownek is under contract with the team and made several catches in team periods today. Ke’Shawn Williams was the undrafted free agent who stood out today. Williams snagged a TD in seven shots and had several long receptions in team periods, most notably a 20-yard crosser from Mason Rudolph that could have gone for serious yards after the catch in a game.

Roc Taylor, a fan favorite, shone in the two-minute drills. On one play, Taylor burned his defender for what should have been a touchdown if not for an underthrown ball by Thompson. However, the very next play, Taylor elevated and made a strong catch inside the five that ended up resulting in a touchdown for the offense. Scotty Miller also made several plays...