Steelers Rumors: Does a James Washington reunion make sense?
Pittsburgh drafted James Washington in the same class as Mason Rudolph. Consider those two Kevin Colbert selections that just didn't work out.
While Colbert's regime was largely successful at identifying skill position talent, especially in the middle rounds, Washington was one of a select few who failed to reach expectations. Since his days in Pittsburgh, Washington has spent time with three NFL teams — the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints. He was released by the Saints on Tuesday to make room for running back Darrel Williams.
Washington signed on with Dallas after spending four seasons with the Steelers, expecting a jolt in his numbers with a new team in 2021. Sadly, the Oklahoma State product broke his foot and didn't return to action until Week 14. The Cowboys eventually replaced him with TY Hilton and never really looked back.
The former OK State Cowboy's tenure in the Steel City ended on rocky terms, as he requested a trade prior to the 2021 season. When that request wasn't granted, he played out the year and left in free agency. Considering the Steelers stacked wide receiver room, there's no real place on the roster for a veteran like Washington unless he's willing to battle for fourth or fifth-team reps. And given his history with the front office, that seems even more unlikely.
Steelers Rumors: Could latest RB signing battle for a roster spot?
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are safely the starting and backup running back on the Steelers roster. Harris ended last season on a tear, and Warren was the perfect compliment to him all season long. Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada hopes to run early and often in 2023, replicating the approach that nearly led them to the playoffs.
Early this week, Pittsburgh added Arizona State product Xazavian Valladay to the running back mix. It's unclear exactly what that says about the current depth chart, but there are plenty of questions behind Harris and Warren as to which players deserve playing time. Perhaps Valladay, one of the best pure athletes in Steelers camp, can make that conversation more interesting.
"It's football. I've been doing it since I was a little kid. The only difference is it's a more competitive level," Valladay told All Steelers. "So just being able to show that and continue to sharpen my skills. I have the coaches here to help me enhance my abilities, and everything will take care of itself on the game field."
For now, Valladay would slide somewhere behind Anthony McFarland, who has earned the No. 3 spot so far this preseason, playing well in the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Valladay has to make a quick impression on the Steelers coaching staff if he wants to make the 53-man roster. There are only two preseason games remaining. However, it was a relative surprise that he wasn't selected in the draft to begin with, as he's explosive when his feet touch turf. Perhaps a spot on the practice squad awaits.
Steelers Rumors: Should fans be concerned about Broderick Jones?
Training camp hasn't gone according to plan for first-round selection Broderick Jones, who is taking things slow and sitting behind starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. While fans in Pittsburgh aren't always patient with their first-round picks, they would be wise not to get on Jones too soon. Just because he started for the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs doesn't mean there won't be a learning curve.
As for Jones himself, he's trusting the process.
"Me and Dan don't even look at it as a battle," Jones said, via The Associated Press. "We just look at it as trying to get better each and every day between me and him."
Per Jones, this was all part of his process. He didn't expect to be a starter from Day 1. Instead, he'd rather get used to the environment, learning the offense the right way, and eventually thrive when he's called upon. The Steelers know that Jones's time will come. And given the importance of his job — protecting Pickett's blind side — it's important that the coaching staff remains patient.
"I feel like it's an asset for me just to sit back and watch somebody, you know, who's older, who's done it for years," Jones said. "So just being able to sit back, watch what works for him, what doesn't, you know, try to implement those small things into my game, you know, I feel like that's a plus."
When Jones finally does earn his reps, Moore Jr. can switch over to the other side of the offensive line. For now, though, he'll be asked to protect Pickett's blind side the best he can.