Steelers 53-man roster prediction
Steelers 53-man roster prediction
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have one final preseason game to go, which will occur Thursday on the road against the Buffalo Bills at the new Highmark Stadium in Western New York, but the 53-man roster for the Black and Gold is starting to take shape.
Position battles are seemingly all sewn up, and depth roles are becoming clearer now that two preseason games are in the books.
There are still some players that can claim a roster spot on Thursday against Buffalo with a strong showing in the preseason finale, but I think things are largely figured out when it comes to the initial 53-man roster under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
The question of keeping three or four quarterbacks still needs to be figured out, not to mention the decision at RB3 behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, but overall the 53-man roster picture is coming into focus.
Below is my final 53-man roster prediction.
OFFENSE – 26
Quarterbacks (4) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Previous: Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Analysis: Reports indicate that the Steelers are set to keep Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar on the 53-man roster, and Aaron Rodgers is obviously the starter, so that leaves Mason Rudolph as a question mark. After everything Mike McCarthy has said of the veteran this offseason, it’s hard to see the Steelers cutting or trading Rudolph at this rate.
After all, McCarthy stated prior to the preseason game against the New York Jets that he had seen all he needed to see from Rudolph, keeping him on the bench for the preseason matchup. That, at least to me, signals he’s a lock for the roster. Meaning, the Steelers are going to break tradition and keep four quarterbacks in this exercise.
Running Backs (3) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer
Previous: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich
Analysis: Throughout the offseason I really felt strongly that rookie seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich was going to grab a roster spot. An injury early in training camp put him behind the 8-ball and he hasn’t done enough the preseason to earn a spot.
Neither has second-year running back Kaleb Johnson. McCarthy stated he looked good between the tackles against the Jets, but even then he looked like he was running in mud and wasn’t all that effective. Travis Homer played just a few snaps in the preseason matchup, and while he doesn’t offer much as a running back, he’s a key special teams piece, which the Steelers desperately need under new coordinator Danny Crossman.
Wide Receivers (6) – DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Previous: DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Analysis: This feels pretty chalk here. The WR3 battle is still up for grabs between Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard after Wilson’s sloppy showing against the Jets, and there’s a real debate between rookie Kaden Wetjen and second-year pro Max Hurleman as a receiver and special teams piece. Still, I can’t see the Steelers moving on from a fourth-round pick right away.
Tight Ends (4) – Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski
Previous: Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski
Analysis: There is no doubt here how tight end shakes out. Robert Tonyan has done more than enough to earn a spot under McCarthy, and rookie Riley Nowakowski can play TE and FB. He’s a good special teams piece, too, and should see a lot of snaps in that aspect of the game.
Offensive Tackles (4) – Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones
Previous: Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Jack Driscoll, Broderick Jones
Analysis: With Broderick Jones not opening training camp on Active/PUP and being fully cleared, he’s making this roster as the swing tackle. I could see rookie Max Iheanachor landing on IR after the initial 53-man roster is formed to give him more time to get up to speed, but I didn’t want to go and project those roster gymnastics right now.
Interior Offensive Line (5) – Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
Previous: Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
Analysis: Keeping just five interior offensive linemen again, as I’m leaning on the fact that Brock Hoffman can play both guard positions and center, rendering Ryan McCollum — who has had a rough training camp and preseason — obsolete. McCollum is a guy that I think could sneak on the practice squad, but he doesn’t warrant a 53-man roster spot right now.
DEFENSE – 24
Defensive Ends (5) – Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Gabriel Rubio
Previous: Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee
Analysis: I have to admit, throughout the offseason after the selection of rookie Gabriel Rubio in the sixth round, I thought there was no chance for him to make the 53-man roster. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, but he was so impressive in the first two preseason games as a run defender. I can’t see any way in which Rubio doesn’t make this team at this rate. The tough decision will come down to Esezi Otomewo and Dean Lowry, and with Otomewo’s versatility I like him over Lowry.
Nose Tackles (2) – Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day
Previous: Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day
Analysis: Not much to say here. Keeanu Benton will split snaps with Yahya Black and Sebastian Joseph-Day as a true nose, and the group overall looks terrific on paper. Benton and Joseph-Day bring great versatility, too.
EDGE Rushers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Previous: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, Jamin Davis
Analysis: I really wanted to find a way to keep Jamin Davis on the 53-man roster, but I just can’t make it work numbers-wise, especially with keeping four quarterbacks. Davis has been very good in the preseason, but it’s a numbers crunch as he’s not beating out someone like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig or second-year pro Jack Sawyer.
Inside Linebackers (4) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Carson Bruener
Previous: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
Analysis: The addition of Elandon Roberts changes everything at inside linebacker. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson aren’t going anywhere, and Carson Bruener is a special teams ace that is a lock. He might even be a special teams captain at this rate. The question becomes – do you keep five here?
The math doesn’t work, which has me thinking Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison are the odd men out at inside linebacker, though I’d like to try and sneak one of them on the practice squad, preferably Holcomb.
Cornerbacks (5) – Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Previous: Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Analysis: No real debates here. Joey Porter Jr. will be ready to go for the start of the season, and the five corners will be set.
Safeties (4) – DeShon Elliott, Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker, Rayshawn Jenkins
Previous: DeShon Elliott, Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Castro
Analysis: I am a big fan of rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings, but I have a hard time seeing the Steelers choosing him over veteran Rayshawn Jenkins on the initial 53-man roster. Spears-Jennings has done nothing but make plays in the preseason, and he projects as a valuable special teams piece, but Jenkins can provide similar plays and has NFL experience.
Spears-Jennings is a guy who can sneak onto the practice squad and continue to develop.
SPECIAL TEAMS — 3
Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell
Previous: Chris Boswell
Analysis: With Laith Marjan cut on Sunday, Chris Boswell’s job is safe. As if it was ever in question.
Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston
Previous: Cameron Johnston
Analysis: He’s had a heck of a training camp and preseason, which is a credit to him. I had major concerns entering the summer, but he’s quieted those.
Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz
Previous: Christian Kuntz
Analysis: No real issues here. He’s been solid in the preseason, but his job was never in doubt with no other long snapper pushing him.