With the Steelers beginning training camp, prediction season is winding down and concluding with an initial 53-man roster prediction. Ordinarily, we do one after each preseason game and take stock of how things evolve along the way. With the team’s efforts to build depth this year, there are a lot of options, so positional numbers will be critical.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3): Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar
One of the biggest debates about the Steelers’ 53-man roster is going to be who the backup quarterback is. Partly for that reason alone, but even more so because it likely means the loser isn’t on the team. Going into training camp, I’m betting on Will Howard to follow Joshua Dobbs’ path in 2018.
Running Back (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich
The running back position contains one of perhaps my bigger projections, at least some might think. I just feel this Steelers coaching staff wants to get Heidenreich onto the team. Sure, Travis Homer is an accomplished special teamer, and that will be hard to ignore. This spot could also go to someone like TE Robert Tonyan, which I’ll discuss below. But keeping four running backs isn’t exactly uncommon, and I expect Heidenreich to play special teams. Unless Johnson does, too, he may be at even more risk without a clearly improved camp.
Wide Receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Ben Skowronek
The Steelers’ wide receiver room is, I believe, one of the most stable positions on the projected 53-man roster. We have a clear idea about who will make it, as well as why. It’s special teams-heavy thanks to Wetjen and Skowronek, but I don’t see them carrying seven. Or five. The bigger question is whether they’ll dress six or have the loser between Bernard and Wilson sit.
Tight End/Fullback (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Riley Nowakowski
Again, we go to the discussion above regarding Robert Tonyan, but I imagine the Steelers believe they can still keep him on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster. And they also have the tackle-eligible in their back pocket, with a multiplicity of options. Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Gennings Dunker. Whoever isn’t starting, throw him in there and let him body some safety
Offensive Line (9): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
I actually never worked out the numbers game before now and wasn’t anticipating leaving Ryan McCollum off the Steelers’ 53-man roster. He’s been their backup center for the past couple years, but Brock Hoffman is an upgrade there. If Hoffman wins the right guard job, though, that complicates the equation. I could see the Steelers potentially keeping 10 linemen, but realistically, McCollum could be a practice squad guy. And of course we don’t know what Jones’ availability is. If he starts the year on PUP, then obviously McCollum has a spot. For now, I’m not predicting that to happen, but we’ll have a better idea very soon. The whole idea is to get a prediction out there before the answers start rolling in.
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Logan Lee
The defensive line room could be one of the most contentious areas of the Steelers’ 53-man roster. The top five are set, but the last spot is pretty wide open. And we can’t rule out the possibility of the Steelers keeping seven. Logan Lee made the cut last year, but so did Esezi Otomewo. And Dean Lowry, the grizzled veteran, is back from injury, and has history with Mike McCarthy. Of course, we can’t forget McCarthy’s first DL draft pick with the Steelers, Gabriel Rubio. This should be an intense battle.
Outside Linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Like wide receiver, the outside linebacker room is one of the Steelers’ most predictable positions in projecting the 53-man roster. It’s these guys, nobody else, and nobody is missing the cut. Simple as that.
Inside Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
The inside linebacker room could be a similar story, but there is a question about Malik Harrison. Everybody agrees he is overpaid for what the Steelers ask him to do. If the Steelers like Holcomb more, then they may only keep four on the 53-man roster. But that would probably open another spot for a special teamer like Travis Homer at running back.
Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols
Leaning heavily into special teams, I have the Steelers keeping 10 total defensive backs on the 53-man roster. We know the starters here, and we know the backups, so there isn’t much to say. The safety group, on the other hand, is a little more interesting.
Safety (4): DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Darnell Savage, Robert Spears-Jennings
So, how do the Steelers shape the safety position on the 53-man roster, and how much does Jalen Ramsey impact that? If they would move Ramsey into the starting lineup there in the event of an injury, then a veteran like Darnell Savage is less urgent. But would they trust Robert Spears-Jennings or Sebastian Castro to be one snap away from playing a major role? For now, that’s what I see as saving Savage’s job. The young guys will be staples on special teams, Spears-Jennings’ great speed is tailor-made for gunner work. Perhaps stepping into James Pierre’s shoes. For that reason, I give him an edge over Castro, but he could make it over, say, Heidenreich for special teams purposes.
Specialist (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Not much of a contest here, to be honest. I still argue this is the specialist team the Steelers should have kept on last year’s 53-man roster. They got too swayed by Corliss Waitman but have since course corrected. Hopefully Johnston proved that was the right call.