Power Rankings: Most Popular Steelers Training Camp Autograph

With the first day of Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College upon us, we decided to go with something a little bit lighter for this week’s power rankings.

The fans are back at training camp for the first time since 2019 and one of the best parts of going to training camp practices is being able to get up close and personal with the players. For many, that means trying to get some autographs as well.

It’s been a long time since the Steelers had a training camp practice like that, with 78% of the roster turning over in the meaning. Popular stars like Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster have gone. So who will be the most sought-after player for an autograph this year?

Alan Saunders, Chris Carter and Nick Farabaugh broke down their top choices. Our power rankings were compiled with each first-place vote getting 10 points and so on and so forth. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

T.J. WATT

This will make the fourth consecutive season Watt has been the best player on the Steelers. Now that he’s received a Defensive Player of the Year award, he enters rarified air with James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Rod Woodson, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Joe Greene.

And if Watt wins the award again, he’ll join Greene as the only Steeler in franchise history to win the award twice. He will most likely set the franchise sack record this season and is a walking football legend in his prime. Even if you’re not a Steelers fan, Watt’s autograph has the highest value. — Carter

CAM HEYWARD

Heyward is an all-time Steeler as well. Both because of his production on the field and his presence as a leader off of it. Now that Ben Roethlisberger is retired, Heyward is the face fans will recognize. As a multi-time First Team All-Pro, he’s one of the best in the NFL and one of the most relatable players on the team as a media presence who was born in Pittsburgh. — Carter

NAJEE HARRIS

Harris represents the future of the Steelers and quickly became a fan favorite. Fans won’t care about yards per carry when Harris hurdles, jukes and stiff-arms opponents into oblivion on his way to touchdowns. He’s the closest to an offensive superstar the team has right now, and that’s worth something to fans. — Carter

KENNY PICKETT

It’s a long-time trope that the backup quarterback is the most popular person in Pittsburgh, but in the case of Kenny Pickett, that might be true this year. The former Pitt star is a hometown hero and is seen by most as the Steelers quarterback of the future, even though Mitch Trubisky seems to have that role for right now. Getting a close look at the first-round draft pick is always part of the training camp experience, but it will be an even bigger deal in 2020 because of Pickett. — Saunders

MINKAH FITZPATRICK

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a better player than several of those ahead of him on this list, but perhaps due to his generally quiet nature, he’s never become the fan-passion superstar that his play suggests he could be. — Saunders

PAT FREIERMUTH

Find someone that looks at you the way Steelers fans look at big, multipurpose tight ends. Not only that, everybody loves touchdowns, and Pat Freiermuth seems to be a red zone specialist. — Saunders

MITCH TRUBISKY

The new quarterback in town is always a hotshot. Whenever there are two new quarterbacks in town, that may be diluted, but Mitch Trubisky still will have plenty of fanfare. After a disappointing tenure in Chicago, fans will hope that Trubisky can resurrect himself after a year in Buffalo under Brian Daboll. With the quarterback position comes those eyes, and fans will have plenty of reason to get their eyes on Trubisky, who could be the starter heading into Week 1. — Farabaugh

CHASE CLAYPOOL

Chase Claypool didn’t do a lot to endear himself to Steelers fans in the last calendar year, but the man just has a star power about him. You walk away from Claypool feeling like you just met a celebrity. That can make him unlovable at times, but it also makes those interactions desirable for many. — Saunders

DIONTAE JOHNSON

There is something just cool about the way Diontae Johnson plays football. His ankle-breaking, sleek style of play is an easy way to get plenty of fans at a position with plenty of spotlight on it. Either way, Johnson is the best receiver on the team. That means a lot, and his talent naturally gains him the fanfare he deserves as a unique, fun player. — Farabaugh

GEORGE PICKENS

What happens when a rookie receiver goes viral minutes after they are drafted? Well, the instant fanfare for George Pickens is what happens. Pickens is a talented, relatable receiver. While he has not played a snap, Pickens comes from a big NCAA brand in Georgia, has made some highlight reel plays, and the viral meme only adds fuel to the hype. Fans will want to see the young potential star receiver early on. — Farabaugh