Training Camp Takeaways: JuJu Smith-Schuster Looks Season Ready

After nothing in need of a rocky 2019 season, JuJu Smith-Schuster must bounce again in a giant manner in 2020. With a concussion, toe harm, and knee harm all slowing him down on prime of shedding Ben Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster looks like a participant primed for a rebound season. Regardless of being considerably quiet all through coaching camp up to now, Monday maybe marked Smith-Schuster’s finest day of coaching camp.

The pool report detailed a stunning efficiency from the chief of the Steelers receiving corps. To begin off the day, Smith-Schuster caught a three-yard landing from Mason Rudolph.

Within the no-huddle drill, Ben Roethlisberger linked with Smith-Schuster 4 instances on one drive alone. In a two-minute drill, Smith-Schuster caught two passes for chunk performs from Roethlisberger. He capped the drill off by catching a six-yard landing.

All in all, it was a formidable displaying for Smith-Schuster. After posting a career-low in receiving yards final season and now stepping right into a management position in a younger broad receiver room, all eyes might be on him.

Smith-Schuster is clearly within the final yr of his contract and dealing for a giant payday as properly on the open market whether it is doable. With him now anticipated to maneuver into the slot extra in 2020, Smith-Schuster’s strengths of physicality and fluidity for his dimension ought to present up for the Steelers.

Chase Claypool’s Hype Practice Received’t Cease

There was a ridiculous quantity of hype for Chase Claypool popping out of coaching camp, and Monday was no exception to that rule. Claypool had one more standout day for the Steelers as he tries to shortly earn taking part in time regardless of a shortened offseason.

The spotlight of Claypool’s day was a giant landing over James Pierre. On a fade ultimately zone, Claypool skied over Pierre and dragged each of his toes in bounds to make the catch for a landing. Engaged on his reference to Rudolph, Claypool additionally caught two large chunk passes from Rudolph on the day per the pool report.

Whereas it’s but to be seen if the hype will translate to Sundays, it appears Claypool is incomes extra taking part in time by his sturdy camp efficiency.

Kevin Dotson’s Shaking Off the Rust

On Friday, Kevin Dotson had a ridiculously good day run blocking for the working backs, particularly on the purpose line, the place he pancaked an opposing defensive lineman on a Jaylen Samuels landing. On Monday, his spectacular development of answering the bell after being thrown into the fireplace continued.

Dotson’s first rep within the one-on-one go blocking drills was a definitive loss, however afterward, Dotson bounced again to go on an extended successful streak per the pool report. Dotson didn’t lose one other rep in these drills, thus showcasing his skill to regulate with ease. Dotson particularly credited his readiness to his work ethic and coaching over the offseason.

“I knew that some folks had been going to be residence simply chilling, a type of folks that simply sits on the home, not self-motivated,” Dotson mentioned. “I simply knew that I can’t be a type of guys if you’re going to be within the NFL. I type of took that to coronary heart and educated as laborious as I may. Even after I didn’t have weights or one thing like that, I’d do some sort of jail exercise sort of factor, doing pushups. I do know folks noticed that video of me pushing automobiles. I used to be simply looking for anyway to get higher.”

Whereas he’s unlikely to get a lot taking part in time this common season, Dotson does have an opportunity to enhance and step into a giant position subsequent season.

Derek Watt a Tight Finish?

One of many extra intriguing and fascinating developments of Monday was the blurb within the pool report that famous Derek Watt took some reps at tight finish. With the Steelers planning to run some extra two-tight finish units, it stands to say Watt might be concerned in that since he’s such a very good blocking. Nonetheless, Mike Tomlin is not going to decide to calling him something aside from only a fullback.

:[Derek] has been taking part in solely F or fullback for us,” Tomlin mentioned. “Typically, that place just isn’t all the time within the backfield or behind the quarterback, however that’s what he performs for us.”

The quote showcases they’re greater than possible involved in Watt’s blocking talents, however the video games must reveal that. Across the league, fullbacks like Kyle Juszczyk have turn into large parts within the passing sport, and Watt may probably have extra impression there than anticipated.

Ulysees Gilbert III is Coming Into His Personal

Ulysees Gilbert III has been one identify to look at all of camp. With the departure of Mark Barron, Gilbert III stands to fill in a few of his snaps within the sub-packages as a protection specialist on the Steelers protection. With zero significant NFL snaps in a regular-season sport, Inside Linebackers Coach Jerry Olvalsky appeared to reward Gilbert III for the way he has appeared up to now.

“He’s completed an excellent job of studying each spots,” Olvalsky mentioned. “He’s completed that on the market on the sphere with the calls and issues like that. He has an extended strategy to go simply typically due to final yr, however I like his trajectory.”

There appears to be some reluctance from Olvalsky about throwing Gilbert proper into the fireplace early within the season, so it could be extra Vince Williams early on, however because the season ramps up, count on Gilbert to get extra snaps.