Steelers 53-man roster prediction
Steelers 53-man roster prediction
With the Steelers’ preseason slate now over, the only business left is settling on a 53-man roster in the next couple days. It seems many are making the same assumptions, and perhaps they’ll end up correct. But it’s worth reminding we are working from a new coaching staff, so those assumptions may need adjusting. They’ve already started trimming, though, as yet, there have been no surprises.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (4): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Yes, I’m finally giving in and keeping four quarterbacks on the Steelers’ 53-man roster. Even though I was an early advocate for the possibility in the abstract, I needed some convincing. Part of me knew I would land on this in the end, but I was reluctant to go there. Given that the team all but announced their intention to do just this, though, it’s hard to go any other way. The only other possibility at this point is an IR stint for Howard
Running Back (2): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle
If you read Alex Kozora’s roster prediction, you may be getting déjà vu, or you will by the end, because spoiler, he and I have the Steelers keeping the exact same 53. Alex was the first that I saw to introduce the idea of keeping only two true running backs to accommodate a fourth quarterback.
Based on the talent distribution on the roster, that’s clearly where the weak link is. Travis Homer, Kaleb Johnson, Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich—none of them are among the best 53. If I were to give it to any, it would be to Heidenreich, frankly, just for the upside. And maybe they’ll surprise and do just that.
Wide Receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Ben Skowronek
The Steelers’ decision not to play Roman Wilson in the finale made it clear he would make the roster. Not that that was much in question. Wetjen also, I believe, solidified his place with the punt return touchdown. The only question, again, is whether Skowronek possibly starts the season on IR. If he does, then they will keep Travis Homer for special teams purposes. But even if that is how it unfold, I don’t like to make those technicality-type predictions.
Tight End/Fullback (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski
Tonyan is another player whom the Steelers chose not to play in the preseason finale, indicating he has a safe roster spot. Unless he has some undisclosed injury, which I don’t think is the case. And given Mike McCarthy’s love of fullbacks, I guess Nowakowski’s place is safe, too. He’ll be a core-four special teams player.
Offensive Line (9): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
The offensive line has been pretty locked in place. I don’t think it was ever very likely that the Steelers would have kept 10 on the 53-man roster. And as long as Hoffman wasn’t starting, he was going to be the top backup center over Ryan McCollum. Despite concern from some, I’m not too worried about someone claiming him off waivers. Even if they do, he’s not irreplaceable. Hoffman is already better.
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio
I still feel good about Rubio making the 53-man roster, but the Steelers could keep Dean Lowry, too. But the odds are greater that they can keep both by signing Lowry to the practice squad. He wouldn’t have to go through waivers, and my guess is that he wants to be here. And also probably knows his best chance of actually playing is here, too.
Outside Linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Yet another group on the Steelers’ 53-man roster that has obviously been in place for a while. At this point, there’s not much else to say without endless repetition, so I’m not going to waste your time.
Inside Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
I still think Cole Holcomb is one of the Steelers’ best 53 players for the roster, even though many reporters seem to have been floating his name out there as a potential casualty of keeping four quarterbacks. Obviously, the return of Roberts helped open up that possibility. But he is a good special teams player, too, and they’ll save money cutting Malik Harrison.
Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols
I just can’t imagine a situation in which the Steelers begin the season without Joey Porter Jr. on the 53-man roster. He is still technically on the PUP List, but the only pain he’s dealing with is one in the neck. Whether he signs a contract extension or not, he’ll be on the active roster.
Safety (4): DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Rayshawn Jenkins, Robert Spears-Jennings
The safety position is another spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster that people looked to trim to make way for a fourth quarterback. But based on the preseason, Spears-Jennings and Jenkins are both clearly among the top 53. And Brisker might not even be healthy for Week 1, for all we know, so there might be a need for depth. Lest we forget, Elliott has a lengthy injury history, too.
Specialist (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Come on now. You really don’t need to read yet another assessment of this group, do you? Laith Marjan, we hardly knew ye.