Training camp is the perfect time for unexpected stars and role players to begin emerging. The Pittsburgh Steelers could have one of those in third-year defensive tackle Kyler Baugh.
On Monday, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora named five Steelers players who are “sleepers” because they should be earning more buzz. Baugh was one of the five players to make the list.
“Baugh has always been fun to watch. Signed midway through last season’s camp, Baugh has always played hard with a ton of energy. His built is atypical,” wrote Kozora. “But he’s a bull in a china shop.
“H shows great burst off the ball that mirrors his elite explosion score in pre-draft testing, with quick hands to beat blocks as a rusher and great effort to finish …
“Baugh is so athletic that he and fellow DL Anthony Goodlow were getting looks on the kick coverage team during Saturday’s practice.”
Baugh stands at about 6-foot-2 and a tad more than 300 pounds. He also possesses 32 1/4-inch arms, which is on the short side.
That could have caused him to be undrafted out Minnesota in 2024. But he’s back with the Steelers this summer and potentially closer to a roster spot.
In 26 games at Minnesota, he posted 77 combined tackles, including seven for loss. He also had four sacks, four pass defenses and one forced fumble.
Kyler Baugh Giving Steelers Something to Think About
Baugh didn’t spent all of 2025 training camp with the Steelers. But this is his second summer with the team. He was also with the Steelers for a better portion of the 2025 regular season on the practice squad.
The defensive tackle has never appeared in an NFL regular season game. But he could be trending toward making an appearance, at least as a practice squad elevation, this fall.
The Steelers will just have to find a spot for Baugh in their organization. The team has greater depth along the interior of the defensive line than it has in previous seasons.
“Finding a place for him on the 53 will be tough, but he’s a strong candidate to stick on the practice squad,” wrote Kozora. “In his third preseason, he knows what the NFL is like and could do some damage against wide-eyed rookies this summer.
“A definite Steelers sleeper.”
Steelers Defensive Tackle Depth Entering 2026 Preseason
Kozora referred to that defensive tackle depth. All-Pro Cameron Heyward will be back for another season. The Steelers also have intriguing youngsters Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black to anchor the middle of their defensive line.
Benton has somewhat underachieved as a former second-round pick. But he’s a candidate to benefit from the new defensive system under Patrick Graham this season.
Black is a former fifth-round pick who could make a big leap during his second campaign.
The Steelers also signed veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day in free agency for extra depth along the interior. That has left Baugh to compete with Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee and Dean Lowry for snaps after the defense’s top four interior defensive linemen.
None of them, though, are guaranteed to make the roster.
Baugh is going to have to rise above those three defensive linemen and might have to convince the Steelers to keep five defensive tackles to make the roster.
Steelers Ex-Undrafted D-Lineman Emerging as Sleeper at Training Camp