Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahmari Harvey won’t enter training camp atop anyone’s mind. Create a list of players 1-91 and Harvey might find himself at the bottom of the list. An undrafted rookie and most recent addition to the roster, he signed June 25th after the team broke for the summer following spring practices.
Even so, every player who enters camp has a chance and path to stick. If Harvey needs proof of that, just talk to teammate and fellow cornerback Daryl Porter.
Last summer, Porter found himself in even more difficult circumstances. Signed as an injury replacement in early August after Cory Trice Jr., Donte Kent, and Jalen Ramsey went down, Porter had little time to represent himself. He seemed like pure depth whose only claim to “fame” would be as the first Steeler to wear No. 39 after Minkah Fitzpatrick’s trade that June.
Instead, Porter ran with the opportunity. By his second practice, our camp notes showed Porter was making plays.
“Thompson throw left side. Jumped and nearly picked by Daryl Porter, but I don’t think he finished the play. I’ll call it incomplete,” we noted of one rep.
Coaches quickly took notice. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin praised Porter for his play and liked his chance to remain with the team. Predictably, the Steelers cut him in trimming their roster down to 53 but quickly re-signed him to their practice squad. He remained there for most of the season until making his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He played a lone defensive snap subbing in for Joey Porter Jr. and saw three more reps on special teams. It’s not much but it’s an NFL appearance and surely meant plenty to him and his journey.
Harvey will aim to do the same.
Even minus OTAs and minicamp, he has more time to digest the playbook. He’ll likely be buried at outside cornerback similar to Porter. Harvey needs to stay healthy and take advantage of additional reps that could open up if injuries occur ahead of him. Harvey had college success in 2023 (three interceptions) and 2024 (63 tackles) before an ankle injury plagued him as a senior.
Making the 53 is unrealistic. Pushing for a practice squad spot is achievable. Harvey’s goal will be to hang around as long as he can in the hopes opportunity opens doors the way it did for Porter. Of course, that means playing well enough to justify being kept. While he might learn from Porter’s journey, come the start of camp, Harvey will be competing alongside him for a spot.