The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t begin training camp for a few more weeks, so, like last year at this same time, I thought we would spend the next week or so talking about a few players that many believe will have a decent shot at making the 2016 final 53-man roster. Basically, these are players that we can’t quite consider locks, but do consider as being on the bubble ahead of the team reporting to Latrobe.
After reading the recap of the player that we highlight, you can cast your vote as to whether or not you think that player will make the final 53-man roster. Each poll will run for three days.
The first player up in this series is fourth-year offensive lineman Chris Hubbard.
2015 Season Recap:
Hubbard, who was signed originally by the Steelers in 2013 as an undrafted free agent, made the 53-man roster last season out of training camp. While Hubbard did dress for 11 regular season games in 2015, he only played sparingly on offense to the tune of just of 30 snaps.
Most of Hubbard’s playing time last year consisted of him serving as an extra blocking tight end. The other few snaps featured him at left tackle as a temporary replacement for Alejandro Villanueva when he was dinged up.
2016 Training Camp Outlook:
Being as the Steelers drafted tackle Jerald Hawkins this year and signed veteran tackle Ryan Harris during free agency, it’s obvious that the Steelers don’t value Hubbard’s skills to play on the edge very much. Being as he has played some guard and center in the past for the Steelers, that’s where he’ll more than likely have to prove his worth this year during training camp and the preseason.
Hubbard’s biggest competition this year for a spot on the Steelers final 53-man roster figures to be interior lineman B.J. Finney, an undrafted free agent from last year who spent most of the season on the team’s practice squad. Barring any injuries, most of the spots on the Steelers 2016 offensive depth chart are already spoken for as we sit here in July. With that said, Hubbard still has an outside shot at make the final 53-man roster a second consecutive year.
Vote below and tell us the reason why you voted the way that you did in the comments.
