5 players to watch: Final audition crucial for Zach Gentry, other Steelers

The team-building process that began for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the spring comes to a head Thursday night in the annual preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Offseason workouts gave way to OTAs which gave way to minicamp which gave way to training camp which gave way to the preseason.

Now, it’s time for one last audition — a chance for players to win a spot on the 53-man roster or to carve out a bigger role within the final group that will open the regular season Sept. 8 at New England.

As coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday after the Steelers’ lone practice on the shortened week: “All roads lead to this moment.”

Here are five players who will try to seize the moment when the ball is placed on the kicking tee at 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium:

Zach Gentry

No target on the roster is bigger or more inviting than the 6-foot-8 former Michigan quarterback. His leaping 3-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone off a Mason Rudolph pass in the preseason opener was Gentry’s biggest highlight of the preseason.

The downfall to Gentry — and what is keeping him from being a slam dunk to make the 53-man roster — is his blocking. Gentry is a work in progress. With the Steelers lacking a clear-cut No. 2 tight end, they could go outside to fill that void, which could push Xavier Grimble down a spot and Gentry onto the practice squad.

Gentry missed the second preseason game and will have one last chance to show he should survive roster cuts.

Eli Rogers

Rogers has played just 31 snaps in the preseason, none on special teams, a place where he was a staple in his early seasons with the Steelers.

Against Tennessee, Rogers alternated early series in the slot with Ryan Switzer, then left after playing nine snaps. Perhaps the Steelers know what they have in Rogers and don’t want to risk another injury to the veteran wideout. They also gave him a two-year contract which included a $500,000 signing bonus in March, another indication that Rogers is viewed as part of the team’s plans.

Rogers, though, is being pushed by Johnny Holton and Diontae Spencer, a pair of players who are getting work on special teams, for the sixth receiver spot.

Fred Johnson

The Steelers already have Big Dan McCullers on the defensive front. Now, they could be adding Big Fred Johnson to the offensive side.

The 6-foot-7, 326-pound undrafted free agent from Florida caught the eye of fellow guard Ramon Foster early in offseason workouts, and he’s only increased his stock in recent months. The Steelers experimented with Johnson playing tackle in training camp to increase his versatility.

In preseason games, he’s lined up next to 6-8 tackle Zach Banner on the second unit, making for an imposing duo up front. If the Steelers keep a ninth offensive lineman, Johnson is the frontrunner to earn that spot.

Ulysees Gilbert III

While first-round pick Devin Bush rightfully has gained most of the attention among young inside linebackers, Gilbert has pieced together a workmanlike training camp. The sixth-round pick from Akron has 11 tackles through three games and had 1.5 sacks in the preseason opener. He also plays special teams, a necessity for earning a roster spot.

Gilbert has one more chance to show he belongs with a group that includes Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Bush and Tyler Matakevich.

Marcus Allen

The Steelers recently cut their fifth-round pick from 2017, cornerback Brian Allen. Marcus Allen, who came aboard in the same round a year later, is trying to avoid a similar fate.

With Kameron Kelly apparently pushing his way onto the roster as the third safety, Marcus Allen will have to surpass the more experienced Jordan Dangerfield for the fourth spot. Allen helped his cause with a pass defensed, forced fumble and two special teams tackles against Kansas City. He played 37 snaps against Tennessee and had just one tackle.

As a core special teams player, Dangerfield would appear to have the edge heading into the preseason finale. Allen has one more chance to change that line of thinking.

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