The Pittsburgh Steelers are just a day away from playing their final preseason game of 2023. That means it’s time for our Steelers 53 man roster prediction 3.0. Most of the roster is just about locked up, but certain positions are still up for grabs. Let’s find out who we think will snag the last few available roster spots:
Offense (25):
Quarterback (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Not much to say about this group as it has been set in stone from day one. Tanner Morgan has done nothing to threaten Rudolph for the third quarterback spot. We’re not sure he’s even practice squad material at this point.
Running back (3): Jaylen Warren, Najee Harris, Anthony McFarland
Xazavain Halladay is name to keep an eye on. He probably joined the team too late to challenge Anthony McFarland, but he’s definitely a candidate for the practice squad.
Fullback (1): Conner Heyward
Call him a fullback, call him a tight end, call him whatever you like. Conner Heyward is the offense’s Swiss Army knife. We still find it hard to believe the Steelers will go into the season without a true fullback however. This is a position to keep an eye on come cut down day.
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Zach Gentry
This is the first time we are including Zach Gentry in any of our roster predictions. Steelers 53 man roster prediction 2.0: Still too early edition
No true fullback on the roster opens up a spot for Gentry. He may find it hard to get a hat on Sundays however. This a deep group with lots of flexibility.
Wide Receiver (6): Diontea Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
After many attempts to predict a different six than the standard group, no one of the fringe wideouts have stood out. Our favorite dark horse Hakeem Butler has now been cut, leaving us with another season of Gunner Olszewski in all probability. We’d love to see the team upgrade either of wide receivers 5 or 6. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like that will happen.
Tackles (3): Dan Moore Jr., Chuks Okorafor, Broderick Jones
Probably the easiest group to predict in our Steelers 53 man roster prediction 3.0. Dylan Cook has had a fine camp from all reports. He may have overtaken La’Raven Clark on the depth chart, and secured a spot on the practice squad.
Interior line (6): James Daniels, Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, Nate Herbig, Kevin Dotson, Spencer Anderson
Kevin Dotson and Spencer Anderson are the ones to keep an eye on here. Keeping Dotson would be a luxury at this point. He may be a trade piece once rosters are paired down. Anderson can play all five positions along the line making him extremely valuable. His spot would be taken if the Steelers decide to acquire a true backup center however. Stay tuned.
Defense (25):
Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Bredon Fehoko, Arman Watts
This is by far the toughest position group to pick in our entire Steelers 53 man roster prediction. To start out with we can not wrap our heads around what to do with Montravius Adams. He has been the starting nose tackle in both preseason games. We believe Fehoko is a much better run defender, and Benton offers far more upside. Do they keep three? Seems highly doubtful. Then there’s the battle between Loudermilk and Watts for the last end spot. This one is anyone’s guess as to who the final six will be, or if they might even keep seven defensive lineman.
Outside Linebacker (4): TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
Ok, we admit it. We were dead wrong about Nick Herbig. The narrative that he’s too small to play outside linebacker appears to be completely false. Herbig has been maybe the most impressive player of the preseason, certainly on defense. He is OLB four and it’s not even close.
Inside Linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson, Tanner Muse
Pretty straight forward here. Tanner Muse is an inside linebacker in name only. He is strictly a special teams player who get little to no time on defense. At least we hope not.
Corner (6): Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan, Elijah Riley
What the Steelers plan is at slot corner is anyone’s guess. For now it looks like a mishmash of Peterson, Sullivan, and Riley. The hope was the Steelers could upgrade CB four, but James Pierre seems to have once again secured a roster spot. The injury to Cory Trice really took the pressure off Pierre this offseason.
Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Mlies Killabrew
Pretty standard here. Kenny Robinson made a push for a roster spot, but Killabrew is just too valuable on special teams. He should have done enough for a spot on the practice squad.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
Lots of talk of competition at punter and long snapper has amounted to nothing, The incumbents have done enough to hold on to their roster spots. Hopefully this is the year we get a more consistent Pressley Harvin……we’ll see.