Steelers roster prediction
Steelers roster prediction
My updated Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster prediction following the team’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. There are several changes from my pre-training camp edition, but there are still two more weeks – and two more games – to dictate who will grab the final few spots.
A reminder: this is how I believe the roster will look for Week One’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Below are links to my post-draft and pre-camp predictions. My next roster prediction will be published after the team’s second exhibition outing against the New York Jets.
Post-Draft Roster Prediction
Pre-Camp Roster Prediction
Offense – 26
Quarterbacks (4) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Analysis: Though I’ve floated the idea for a while, none of my roster predictions featured four quarterbacks. Until now. At football’s most premium position, it’s simply hard to show any of these four names the door. Rudolph’s experience is valuable, and the way Mike McCarthy talked earlier this week, he sure sounds like the No. 2 quarterback.
Howard and Allar had strong showings in their NFL debuts, and neither looks like someone the team wants to give up on. It’s strange for Pittsburgh to be so heavy here, but they have a strange situation at quarterback. It’s all subject to change, but if the Steelers want to find the future heir to their franchise, they need to keep all their options on the table, not remove them.
Running Backs (4) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer, Riley Nowakowski (FB)
Analysis: One change here, removing Eli Heidenreich for Travis Homer. I already had Kaleb Johnson off my roster prediction entering camp, and his invisible showing in the preseason opener only cements that. He’s at the end of the roster and far more likely to be traded for a late 2027 draft pick than make the team.
Homer grabs a spot thanks to his special teams value, working as the personal protector on the punt team. That gives him the slight edge over Lew Nichols, who continues to impress.
Nowakowski is a virtual lock to make the roster.
Wide Receivers (6) – DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Analysis: No changes here. The question will focus on the battle for the No. 3 spot between Wilson and Bernard. Wilson earned the buzz in camp. Bernard earned it in the game. Bernard still has to work on the details, though, which could give Wilson the edge.
Pittman’s had an awfully quiet summer. It’s less alarming for a veteran like him, but a strong finish to the month would be encouraging.
Tight Ends (3) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan
Analysis: Status quo here. Tonyan has played a valuable role for the young quarterbacks throughout camp, and he knows the McCarthy system well. There’s a chance Tonyan could be yo-yo’d if the Steelers need a spot for injured player maneuvering come cutdowns, but he should dress for the Week One opener against Atlanta.
Offensive Tackles (4) – Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones
Analysis: Healthy and practicing in full, including playing more snaps than anyone else in Thursday’s preseason game, Broderick Jones is back on my 53. Pittsburgh could consider trading him, and a strong enough offer like a fourth-round pick would be tempting. Still, tackle depth is valuable, and Iheanachor’s injury, minor as it is, serves as a reminder of that.
Interior Offensive Line (5) – Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
Analysis: No changes here. Anderson is in the driver’s seat to win the right guard job. It was tough leaving out Ryan McCollum, the backup center for most of camp, but Hoffman has gotten just enough looks in the middle to make him the No. 2. Of course, he also played plenty at center in Dallas under McCarthy.
Dunker will be a weekly inactive until injuries strike.
Defense – 24
Defensive Ends (4) – Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day
Analysis: Multiple changes along the defensive line. I’m now listing Benton as a defensive end, although I figure Pittsburgh will mix and match throughout the year. Esezito Otomewo and rookie Kevin Jobity Jr. are removed from my prediction. I’m keeping only six defensive linemen, a gamble I’ve made and lost before. But this is a new coaching staff that may not keep seven, as the old regime did over the past several years.
Nose Tackles (2) – Yahya Black, Gabriel Rubio
Analysis: Black opened the preseason game as first-team nose tackle and may handle the majority of those snaps throughout the season. Rookie Rubio finds his way on the team after an ascending training camp and strong preseason debut. He looks and plays like a classic Steelers’ defensive lineman: big, strong, tough, and with a hot motor.
Edge Rushers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Analysis: No changes to one of the most solidified groups on the roster. Just remain healthy for the regular season opener. That’s the goal.
Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener, Elandon Roberts
Analysis: Until Elandon Roberts signed, I was going to roll with just four inside linebackers. But Pittsburgh normally keeps five for depth, and it’s likely one reason why Roberts was brought back. He’s cheap, plays the run hard, and knows Patrick Graham’s defense. Determining his role is a little murky, but you’d surely rather have him on your side than face him.
Malik Harrison’s days are numbered.
Cornerbacks (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Analysis: A deep and impressive group of cornerbacks, and that’s without Porter taking the field this summer. Pittsburgh must find a way to play Samuel in some sort of sub-package role. A good-looking group.
I’m also including Ramsey among the cornerbacks since, even though I take it with a grain of salt, the team listed him as a slot corner on its depth chart. He’ll still float between positions.
Safeties (3) – Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Rayshawn Jenkins
Analysis: Tough decisions here. Brisker and Elliott will make it. Pittsburgh wants and needs a veteran presence behind. Jenkins, who signed early this month, beats out Israel Mukuamu for the role. Jenkins is a physical tone-setter.
Robert Spears-Jennings doesn’t make the list in a numbers crunch. When it comes down to the value of a seventh-round safety versus a quarterback, the former loses out. But I like the job he’s done this summer.
Special Teams – 3
Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell
Analysis: No debate here. Boswell will be the guy.
Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston
Analysis: Johnston’s punted reasonably well in camp and doesn’t look overtaxed despite being the roster’s only punter.
Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz
Analysis: Kuntz will continue his long-snapping duties for the Steelers.
Just Missed The Cut
To get a window into my roster construction March Madness style, here are the first three names outside its bubble.
No. 54: S Robert Spears-Jennings – He can hit and close space with his speed. There might be something there. Just loses out to the quarterbacks in the numbers game.
No. 55: C Ryan McCollum – He could make the roster, but that would probably mean the Steelers keeping 10 offensive linemen. That feels too heavy.
No. 56: DE Dean Lowry – Lowry’s had a solid camp and knows the defense and system well. Playing time will still be difficult to find, and Rubio has impressed. Pittsburgh goes with the younger option.
Practice Squad – 17
QB – None
RB – Eli Heidenreich, Lew Nichols
TE – Lake McRee
WR – Brandon Smith, Max Hurleman
OL – Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester, Steven Jones
DL – Kyler Baugh
EDGE – Jamin Davis, Julius Welschof*
ILB – Jacoby Windmon
CB – Daryl Porter, D’Shawn Jamison, Doneiko Slaughter
S – Robert Spears-Jennings, Devan Boykin
*International exemption
Analysis: A little secondary-heavy, but I like the group overall. They’re aggressive and physical. Smith was injured in the opener. His status is unknown, but until we know if it’s a long-term issue, he’ll stay on the practice squad. Hurleman had a solid outing against Green Bay.
Nester has a ton of positional flexibility, and McCollum winds up here. He could be a pregame roster elevation if needed. Baugh is a bull in a china shop. Davis made some plays against Green Bay but still doesn’t look like a natural EDGE rusher. Boykin stood out in his preseason debut.