‘Relatively Unknown’ Steelers Standout Called ‘Dark Horse’ to Make Roster

Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is set up to have depth roster battles rather than starting battles in 2025, and one under-the-radar defensive back caught the attention of The Athletic’s Steelers correspondent, Mike DeFabo, this spring.

“A relatively unknown player has the chance to surprise in training camp,” DeFabo wrote on June 26, regarding third-year NFL cornerback D’Shawn Jamison.

“The 5-foot-9, 186-pound defensive back’s fluid and athletic movements stood out during offseason workouts,” the Pittsburgh beat reporter explained. Adding that “he’s a dark horse candidate to find a role on special teams and as a reserve in the nickel.”

Jamison appeared in 15 games with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie after five years at the University of Texas. With the Panthers, he logged 107 snaps on defense and another 155 on special teams, recording 10 total tackles and 1 pass breakup. He also returned two kickoffs for an average of 20 yards per return.

Pro Football Focus credited Jamison with a 63.1 grade as a special teamer in Carolina, but he struggled mightily in pass coverage that season, with a 157.1 passer rating against that included 2 charged touchdowns. Jamison spent the entire 2024 campaign on the Steelers’ practice squad.

Is There a Realistic Path for D’Shawn Jamison to Make the Steelers’ 53-Man Roster in 2025?

DeFabo has one thing right: Jamison is “relatively unknown” to most Steelers fans, and pretty much nobody is expecting him to make the 53-man roster as of June 29.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Head coach Mike Tomlin tends to gravitate toward his staff favorites on the defensive side, and Jamison has already spent a full year learning the system. If he did make the team, however, it would have to come at the expense of another Tomlin favorite on defense and special teams, James Pierre, as well as rookie seventh-rounder Donte Kent.

That feels like Jamison’s most realistic path to a roster spot in this crowded Steelers secondary.

After all, barring injury, the top five Steelers cornerbacks (Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Beanie Bishop Jr., Brandin Echols and Cory Trice Jr.) appear pretty locked into the upper portion of the depth chart ahead of those three.

Steelers Rookie CB Donte Kent Is Not Guaranteed a 53-Man Role at Training Camp

As noted above, Jamison would likely be competing with Kent and Pierre for the final cornerback role. The prerequisites would include the ability to back up Bishop in the slot, special teams impact, and general versatility as the sixth CB and potential 10th DB (including four safeties).

On paper, Kent should be the favorite for this role as a rookie draft pick, but DeFabo doesn’t see it as a guarantee that the seventh-rounder survives the roster cutdown.

“Teams don’t like to cut their draft picks,” the beat reporter acknowledged. “But when you crunch the numbers, this seventh-round pick could find himself near the roster’s fringe.”

“He’s listed as CB/[punt returner],” DeFabo added, “so maybe his return ability helps him stick as he fights for more in the nickel.”

Along with Kent, Pierre and Jamison, the Steelers have a trio of even lesser-known CBs competing for a practice squad job. Those players are former Chicago Bears contributor Quindell Johnson and journeymen ex-UDFAs Cameron McCutcheon and Kyler McMichael.

Neither McCutcheon nor McMichael has ever suited up for a regular season NFL game.