We have come to that time on the NFL calendar where the draft is over, and free agency has largely run its course.  The Pittsburgh Steelers now have a complete 90 man roster as we await training camp.  That means it is time for our first Steelers 53 man roster prediction.  There will most likely be a few more additions to come, but for now here’s our best guess

Offense (24)

Quarterback: (3)

Aaron Rogers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard

Yes, I am still predicting Aaron Rogers will be the opening day quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Full disclosure. The more time goes by, the more concerned I get.  If Aaron decides not to come to Pittsburgh we could end up seeing the likes of  Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz, or Teddy Bridgewater brought in.  I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of Mason Rudolph being the primary starter in 2025.

Running Backs: (3)

Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

I made a prediction on the Steelers Sanctuary Podcast, and I’m sticking with it.  Kaleb Johnson will be RB1 before the bye this year, maybe sooner.  He is too good a fit for what Mike Tomlin, and Arthur Smith want in a running back.  https://youtube.com/shorts/Hs8-W4pjT38?si=K86fWQUD2gHCJkDe

That is no slight on Jaylen Warren who will be a terrific compliment to Johnson.  Add in Kenneth Gainwell, and this may very well be the deepest position group on the roster.

Wide Receiver: (6)

DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Robert Woods, Roc Taylor

This feels like Deja Vu all over again with this position group.  Once again we have a very good wide reciever one, and not much else to speak of.  The hope here is that Roman Wilson takes a giant leap in 2025.  His best fit seems to be in the slot, as is the case for CAIII and Robert Woods.  So it begs the question who plays outside opposite Metcalf?  There could be another addition coming at some point.  Or could the dark horse here be Roc Taylor?  Without any last minute additions this room is slightly better than last year, but not by much. Steelers wide receiver room: The worst in the Mike Tomlin era

Tight End: (4)

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Donald Parham, JJ Galbreath

I am not yet convinced this team will carry a true fullback in 2025.  What I am convinced of is the Steelers will be playing a lot of 12 personnel this season.  Because of that, it is much more likely they keep four tight ends on the roster.  Undrafted free agent JJ Galbreath is an intriguing prospect.  At 6’4”, 230 pounds, he ran a 4.67 forty time at his Pro Day.  That time would have been third best at the NFL combine among tight ends. Keep an eye on this South Dakota State product.

Offensive Line: (8)

Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum

The starting five is pretty much set in stone here.  What the Steelers will get out of their tackle positon is a complete mystery however.  With that in mind you’d have thought the team would bring in a veteran swing tackle to back up the position.  They chose instead to stick with Calvin Anderson, and Dylan Cook to battle it out for the backup tackle spot.  The overall depth here is really poor, and absolutely will come back to bite this team at some point this season.

Defense (26)

Defensive Line: (6)

Cam Heyward, Keannu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahyah Black, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee

Big time upgrade in the starting three with Derrick Harmon replacing Larry Ogunjobi.  Past the starting three there could be up to six names battling it out for the final three roster spots.  I’m going to call my shot and say Logan Lee wins the last spot over guys like Dean Lowry, and Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Inside Linebacker: (5)

Patrick Queen, Peyton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener

Really solid group here, particularly if Cole Holcomb can stay healthy and make the roster.  Carson Bruener beats out Mark Robinson for the “special teams” linebacker position.

Outside Linebacker: (4)

TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Not much to add for this group.  This four is set in stone barring injury.  There is an outside chance Jeremiah Moon makes the team for special teams purposes depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out.  This is as easy position to guess as any in our Steelers 53 man roster prediction.

Corner: (6)

Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, James Pierre, Beanie Bishop

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, Steelers putting a lot of faith in a 30 plus year old corner.  Darius Slay is a significant upgrade IF the 34 year old’s play doesn’t fall off a cliff.  The team is also putting a ridiculous amount of faith into the injury prone Cory Trice being the primary backup at outside corner.  What can I say about the slot corner position other than the Steelers clearly do not prioritize this spot whatsoever.  It seems like every year when we do the Steelers 53 man roster prediction, we are left wanting at corner.

Safety: (5)

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliot, Miles Killabrew, Juan Thornhill, Sebastian Castro

Damonte Kazee out, Juan Thornhill in otherwise status quo at safety.  Sneaky theory, Sebastian Castro ends up winning the slot corner spot on this team.  The Steelers figure it the position out despite themselves.

Specialists: (3)

Chris Boswell K, Cameron Johnston P, Christian Kuntz LS

Not much to say here other than we will have to watch closely how Cameron Johnston rebounds from his season ending injury from last year.  Don’t count Corliss Waitman out just yet.