Pittsburgh Review

Could the Steelers actually use a fullback on their roster in 2024? Perhaps.

While the number of fullbacks on NFL rosters has dwindled with more teams opting for three wide receiver formations, in 2023, just 12 NFL teams employed a fullback on offense. New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's Falcons were one of those 12 teams that utilized a fullback, with Keith Smith playing 185 offensive snaps, or 16.5 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps.

"If you've got a fullback that can help you and there's a big picture involved," Smith said. "You don't live in a fullback I-formation, offset. But guys also have to help at other spots, so that is where you see the big picture coming from up here, the experience, so it's important. We had a very good special teams player in Atlanta in Keith Smith, so that was a valuable member of the roster. He was a core (special) teamer, and he was a good fullback and gave you the advantage."

The Steelers currently have just one true fullback, first-year player Jack Colletto, on their roster in training camp. They also have Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt, two tight ends who have lined up as lead blockers.

Colletto played at Oregon State and signed with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2023 but did not make the team. He has been active as a lead blocker in short-yardage situations and inside run drills throughout training camp. Pruitt, who was with Smith in both Atlanta and during his tenure as offensive coordinator in Tennessee, has also taken some snaps as a lead blocker.

The Steelers didn't have a true fullback on their roster in 2023, utilizing Heyward instead. However, Heyward is more effective as a pass catcher than as a lead blocker.

In 2022, Derek Watt played just 77 (6 percent) of the offensive snaps when active but was an excellent special teams player. Roosevelt Nix was the last Steelers fullback to play as high a percentage of snaps as Kevin Smith did for Atlanta last season; Nix played 181 snaps (16.4 percent) for Pittsburgh in 2017.

As Arthur Smith mentioned, being a fullback involves more than simply playing as a lead blocker; special teams play will be significant this season with the new NFL kickoff rule.

"It may be some weeks just like we are talking about multiple tight ends; you might want to have [a] fullback if it gives you an advantage," Smith added. "But it also has to play into the big picture."

Even though Russell Wilson hasn't participated in team drills since camp opened doesn't mean he hasn't gotten additional work with receivers after practice. Wilson hasn't been shy about grabbing different receivers for extra sessions post-practice and has included running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Following an afternoon walkthrough earlier this week, Wilson worked extensively with Harris and Warren on catching various passes from him.

"The thing about Najee that's been really cool is his time that he wants to spend together," Wilson said. "He and Jaylen came out here with me one night...and went through plays with me...that kind of time is really critical."

Tomlin appreciates Wilson's dedication: "This guy has been in the league for a long time...his relationship with the game...leadership skills...willingness to work – all those things have been confirmed for me."

With no pads during the first four practices at Saint Vincent College training camp sessions were continuations of offseason programs making it difficult to gauge substantial progress on-field yet new punter Cameron Johnston stood out early displaying versatility including kicking it 70 yards air distance potentially becoming an effective weapon according to Danny Smith

"He's really good," Danny Smith commented "He's going be weapon us"

Steelers haven't had true punting weapon quite some time franchise best punter net average Bobby Joe Green averaged 45 .7 yards per kick over twenty-six games between nineteen sixty-nineteen sixty-one seasons Jordan Berry team's punter twenty fifteen-twenty twenty averaged forty-four point four yards per kick placed robust forty percent punts inside opposing twenty which remains team record among those kicked more than ten games

Johnston career Eagles Texans averaged forty-seven point three yards punt downed forty-point nine percent kicks inside opposing twenty including career-high forty-five point five percent last season Houston

"Whatever Danny needs me do I'll do it" Johnston stated "You different kicks use depending situation"

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Previously false start resulted immediate replacement field new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith escalated further false start now requires lap around field 'lap shame'

"It's holding us accountable" rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu remarked adding despite high school connotation avoids laps reinforcing rules necessary given young offensive line group

Steelers second-fewest false starts NFL last season twelve none exceeding two individual false starts Tennessee Dillon Radunz led league nine

Dale Lolley co-host SNR Drive Steelers Nation Radio Subscribe podcast Apple Podcast iHeart Podcast

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"I'll definitely watching" noted Arthur Smith respect both special teams coaches mutual need understanding unfolding changes echoed by linebacker Tyler Matakevich anticipating scrutiny uncertainties Hall Fame game ushering evaluation phase