The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 draft class is now heading into its third NFL season yr. That stated, there’s so much we don’t find out about that class but. Two gamers who nonetheless have so much to show are CB Cory Trice Jr. and TE Darnell Washington. In line with CBS Sports activities’ Chris Trapasso, in an article posted Thursday, they could simply start to show themselves this yr. Trapasso named every as a candidate to interrupt out in 2025.
“OK, so Trice hasn’t been ridiculously productive in lower than 200 profession skilled snaps. His play’s been encouraging, and I vividly recollect how intimidating his ball abilities had been within the Massive Ten as a cornerback standing 6-foot-3 with practically 33-inch arms,” Trapasso wrote. “If he can keep off the harm report, Trice has the towering presence to pair properly with Joey Porter Jr. within the Steelers’ secondary, which is a dire want for this membership.”
Of all of the defenders on the Steelers’ roster, Trice is perhaps one in all most attention-grabbing. When the seventh-round decide has been on the sphere, it’s been encouraging. Nevertheless, he simply hasn’t been on the sphere a lot. Trice tore his ACL earlier than his rookie season and handled a hamstring harm in 2025. He has simply 193 snaps in his NFL profession.
Going into 2025, Trice has an awesome alternative. Pittsburgh introduced in Darius Slay to start out reverse of Joey Porter Jr. That provides Trice a superb veteran to be taught, with Slay wanting to assist among the youthful guys on the roster. As a backup, he may get some reps with out being compelled into a considerable amount of taking part in time, as he tries to determine keep wholesome on the NFL stage.
The Steelers like Trice, and he reportedly seems to be extra snug, which is an efficient signal. This can be a large yr for Trice, and if he can play effectively, it can change the way in which the Steelers view their cornerback room going ahead.
Cory Trice wasn’t the one Steeler Trapasso talked about. He additionally thinks Darnell Washington might escape this yr.
“One other big swing right here,” Trapasso wrote. “I can’t resist. In spite of everything Washington practically tripled his reception whole from his rookie season to Yr 2. Granted, he went from seven receptions to 19, it’s nonetheless practically triple. With Aaron Rodgers beneath heart, I envision this third-year tight finish turning into a Marcedes Lewis-type safety blanket for the veteran quarterback and catching 40-plus passes whereas making his presence felt within the pink zone too.”
Trapasso isn’t the primary particular person to check Washington to Marcedes Lewis. Aaron Rodgers himself has made the identical comparability. And if Washington has the yr Trapasso suggests, that might be large for the Steelers. With an absence of receiving depth, Pat Freiermuth is the de facto WR2. If Pittsburgh will get its different tight finish in Washington to step up as effectively, that will be an enormous assist going ahead. Particularly since Aaron Rodgers loves his massive tight ends.
On the finish of the day, the Steelers are nonetheless hoping for just a little extra from their 2023 class. Neither Darnell Washington nor Cory Trice had been particularly early draft picks, but each have proven promise. If every has a breakout season, as Trapasso suggests, it can go a great distance towards the Steelers having success in 2025.
