The Steelers have completed their preseason action. They must cut the roster down from 90 to 53 by Tuesday. The team has some tough decisions to get this roster down to the mandatory amount of players. With all that in mind, he’s our last Steelers 53 man roster prediction of the year:
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3) – Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Not much more to add with this group. These three have been locked in from wire to wire. Tomlin still has not announced his starter yet, but we all expect it to be Russell Wilson. A quarterback controversy seems inevitable at some point this season.
Running Back (3) – Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
I toyed with the idea of the team carrying four running backs all offseason. Doesn’t seem like that will be the case however. Cordarrelle Patterson had a pretty touchdown run in the final preseason game to cement his spot as the third back on the roster. Names like Daijun Edwards, and Jonathan Ward have decent shots at the practice squad. 2024 Steelers offense: Is it really better than last season?
Wide Receivers (6) – George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick, TBD
This is by far the weakest position in terms of depth on the entire roster. I still believe they will add at least one name to this group before week one. Whether it is Brandon Aiyuk, or some other name, this team can not go into the season as is. Whoever that player is will knock Calvin Austin off the roster. He just gives this team very little flexibility, and will become expendable with the new addition.
Don’t be surprised if a second receiver who can also fill the gunner role on special teams is added as well. This team has looked especially unimpressive at that position. Miles Boykin is a name that comes to mind if he should be cut by the Giants. A move like this would cost Dez Fitzpatrick his job as well.
Tight End (4) Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams
The only intrigue with this group is will they keep four, and if so who will that fourth tight end be? We are going with Williams because he is a mush better athlete, and he offers more as a special teams asset.
Offensive Line (9) – Dan Moore, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, TBD
The tackle situation is an absolute mess right now. Fautanu hasn’t played in weeks due to injury. Broderick Jones seems to be carrying some type of elbow injury himself, and now it’s being reported that Dylan Cook is likely to miss several weeks with his own injury. It seems very likely the Steelers will be adding a veteran tackle after cut downs. https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-lose-dylan-cook-foot-injury
Defense (26)
Defensive Line (6) – Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk
This is a fairly deep group, and hard to narrow down to six. At the end of the day, Isaiahh Loudermilk outperformed Dean Lowry in the preseason. If we are to believe Mike Tomlin when he says playing time in games matters, Loudermilk should win the final spot.
Inside Linebacker (5) – Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson, Tyler Matakevich
Perhaps the deepest of all the positions on our Steelers 53 man roster prediction is inside linebacker. The real battle is for LB4/special teamer between Mark Robinson, and Tyler Matakevich. With the emphasis on the new kick off rules, I think the Steelers end up keeping both.
Outside Linebacker (4) – TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson
The standout player of the preseason has to be Nick Herbig, and it’s not close. He gives the Steelers a formidable three man rotation at outside linebacker. What we thought would be a close race between Jeremiah Moon, and Kyron Johnson became anything but that the last two weeks. Johnson played extremely well, while Moon logged less than 10 snaps in the last two preseason games. I’m not even sure there will be a practice squad spot for Moon at this point.
Corner (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Dante Jackson, Corey Trice, Darius Rush, Thomas Graham, TBD
This group probably looks much different come week one. We could see the Steelers add up to three corners before all is said and done. Slot corner os still an issue, particularly since Beanue Bishop seems to have fallen out of favor with the team. Darius Rush has been invisible in all preseason action, and Cory Trice has sustained another injury which has yet to be reported how serious it might be. All in all this is easily the mist fluid position on our Steelers 53 man roster prediction.
Safety (4) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Deshon Elliot, Demontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
This group has been pretty well set from the get go. Ryan Watts was thought to have a chance to stick at safety, but he seems destined for the practice squad now. Demontae Kazee feels like a player who could’ve been pushed off the roster if the team had more depth. He’s safe for now, but this is surely his last season in Pittsburgh.
Specialists (3) – Chis Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
It’s ironic the Steelers finally have a consistent punter, but now their punt coverage is lacking. Once they get the coverage figured out, this stands to be the best kicking game this team has had in many years.