Steelers 2-a-days: Jonathan Marshall in D-line mix, Ryan McCollum a rare pure center on roster
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Editor’s note: From the end of minicamp through the day the team reports to training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2023 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, from June 16-July 26. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
DT JONATHAN MARSHALL
Experience: Appeared in four games as a rookie with the Jets in 2021
Contract status: $940,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2023
2023 outlook: Marshall began to develop draft buzz two years ago as a late bloomer who made plays as a senior at Arkansas. The New York Jets bit in the sixth round, and he appeared to show them wise when he made their 53-man roster as a rookie. But Marshall appeared in only four games in 2021 (two tackles, one solo, one QB hit in 76 defensive snaps) and was a casualty at the end of last year’s training camp. Marshall spent the first three-quarters of last season on the Jets’ practice squad until the Steelers signed him off of it and on to their active roster on Dec. 14 after Chris Wormley was lost for the season because of injury. Marshall, though, did not play in any games for the Steelers the rest of the season.
It’s clear that the signing was a look ahead to 2023, when Marshall would (and is) be given a chance to crack the Steelers’ rotation on the defensive line. At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Marshall is part of a group of diverse candidates to serve as backups to veteran starters Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi and talented youngsters DeMarvin Leal and Keeanu Benton on the Steelers’ defensive line. Though returning starter Montravius Adams is a favorite to keep a roster spot, Marshall is an option along with the likes of Armon Watts and Manny Jones (who also have limited NFL experience) to provide the depth that is so needed at the position.
In happier news, Jonathan Marshall looked pretty good on Sunday! Had good pressure here to kill the slow developing screen. pic.twitter.com/lqjEXROMvc
— Dan (@JetsAndJollof) December 23, 2021
C RYAN MCCOLLUM
Experience: Played in 13 games in 2021 as a rookie for Detroit
Contract status: $870,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2023
2023 outlook: The positional designations on the roster on an NFL team’s website are far from binding and not always terribly accurate. Still, it is telling that McCollum is the lone player among 90 overall and 15 offensive linemen with the Steelers that has a “C” to signify center.
Aside from veteran Mason Cole, it might be said the Steelers have no other true centers. Sure, Kendrick Green started 15 games for the Steelers there as a rookie in 2021 and is back repping at the position this summer. But Green long has been up front that he is more comfortable at guard. Rookie seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson has experience starting games at center in college, but he also has played extensively at tackle and guard.
McCollum’s advantage might be that he is the second-best pure center on the roster. It’s the position where he has played 100 of his 101 career NFL regular-season offensive snaps, and where he started every game his senior season at Texas A&M. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans in 2021, McCollum was on their practice squad when the Detroit Lions signed him that October. He started their Week 13 game and appeared significantly in their finale that fall, but the Lions waived him the following August. McCollum has been with the Steelers ever since.
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