Steelers have two punters in camp but there can only be one
Published August 16th, 11:03 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Latrobe, PA – There are positional battles amongst every unit around the National Football League. In Pittsburgh or should I say Latrobe, Pennsylvania the Steelers have two more than capable options are punter. Incumbent Pressley Harvin III has punted in every game except two since coming into the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Veteran punter Braden Mann spent his first three seasons in the New York punting for the Jets. Entering the league one year earlier (2020) and drafted one round higher (sixth-round), Mann has put together a body of work equivalent to if not better than Harvin III.
“The past three years in New York it was kind of me versus me,” Mann said after morning walk-throughs.
Now he finds himself battling for the starting job or at the very least auditioning for another team, eyeing him from afar.
“Always trying to compete all I can,” Mann said. “So, that’s all I’m doing here is just. I haven’t really stopped my routine much. Trying to come out every day and hit good balls.”
It is an unassuming competition. The focus of much of the positional battles being waged from other units garner much attention while these special teams often get the short end of the stick. A few years ago, it appeared veteran long snapper Kameron Canaday was a lock to make the team. Until the final cut was made and undrafted Christian Kuntz out of Duquesne stole the job.
It’s a hunch.
Mann won the Ray Guy award, given to the top Division I-FBS punter and his yards per punt (46.9) ranked 17th last season while Harvin III was 28th (44.5) in the league. In Mann’s rookie season he led the league in punts (82) and yards (3,598) with the Jets.
“Each year I think I’ve gotten better in terms of consistency and try to go a little bit higher in each part of my game,” Mann. “I’m not trying to focus too hard on one thing and lack on another thing.
‘So, just each year since I’ve been in the league my stats have gotten better in each respective thing. My hangtime has gotten better. My direction has gotten better. My distance. Just trying to gradually improve in each one. For me it’s a well-rounded game.”
Another key stat where Mann has a slight edge when comparing last seasons are punts inside the 20-yard line. Mann ranked 24th in the category last year at 32.5% and Harvin four slots below in 28th with 29%.
Claiming Mann off the waiver wire earlier this year the Steelers aren’t obligated to any guarantees which means the luxury of auditioning him for the starters job comes with no costs. Well accustomed to having a heavy workload during his time with the Jets.
His first preseason game with the Steelers he got off six picks which places him tied for second in the preseason in punt attempts. The only two kickers ahead of him are Cleveland’s Corey Bojorquez (6) and Jets Thomas Morstead (8) who have an extra game played.
The Steelers projected 53-man roster offers very little in terms of unexpected surprises, but this could be one positional battle that bears further attention with a couple weeks left to go before the Aug. 29 deadline at 4 p.m. ET.
