We are now roughly a week into Steelers training camp. The Steelers should be just about done with player additions (we think). It’s a perfect time to get our second Steelers 53 man roster prediction. Most of the roster is fairly easy to pick at this point. There are however a few spots that bear watching as the offseason continues on. With all that in mind, let’s get right to it:
Offense: (23)
Quarterback (3) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
This position group is as cut and dry as any on the roster. The Will Howard buzz coming out of training camp almost ensures he’s beating out veteran Skyler Thompson.
Running Back: (3) – Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell
Another easy position group to predict for 2025. The only question here is whether or not Kaleb Johnson will unseat Jaylen Warren as RB1 come September. Johnson is much more the type of back Mike Tomlin likes size wise, and he fits Arthur Smith’s wide zone offense to a tee. If Johnson can lock down his pass pro, he very well could be the feature back. Trey Sermon is lurking if one of the backs should get injured.
Wide Receiver: (5) – DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Roc Taylor
This group, among any other on the team, is the most in flux. To put it bluntly, this is a bad bunch. Omar Khan may still have to add a veteran before the season starts. Names like Gabe Davis and Terry Mclaurin are still being tossed about. The dark horse here if no other veterans are brought in is Roc Taylor. Taylor is having a good camp by all accounts, and let’s face it his competition is not all that strong. Most will have Robert Woods making the team. I have my doubts on him, but we’ll see. The Steelers have a recent history of carrying washed up recievers, see Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson.
Tight End: (3) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Jonnu Smith
This should be a fun group, and the strength of the Steelers offense in 2025. Darnell Washington should benefit a great deal from Aaron Rodgers being the quarterback in Pittsburgh. We may also see a Pro Bowl caliber year from Pat Freiermuth with a competent quarterback. Jonnu Smith could be considered WR2 at this point. It’s going to be interesting to watch how the Steelers maximize all their tight ends in this offense.
Offensive Line: (9) – Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum
The Broderick Jones injury only further highlights the need to add a veteran tackle to this group. The depth at this position is severely lacking. Jones is expected back to practice as soon as today, but this is a clear warning help is needed. For this reason, the starters are set in stone for the line. Look for an addition when rosters begin to pair down later this summer.
Defense: (26)
Defensive Line: (6) – Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Daniel Ekuale, Yahya Black, Logan Lee
This is the most difficult position group to pair down on the roster. There are lots of interchangeable names after the starting three of Heyward, Benton, and Harmon. We left off players like Loudermilk, and Lowry who could easily make the final 53. For some inexplicable reason, Logan Lee has been getting significant snaps at nose tackle. He could very well be the primary backup at that position. The final six players to make the roster at defensive line will go right down to the wire.
Inside Linebacker: (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
The Steelers inside linebackers should be outstanding in 2025. Particularly if Tomlin follows through on his promise to blitz more in 2025. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson both have the skillset to be tremendous blitzers. Speaking of Payton Wilson, he stands to be the number one breakout candidate for the team in 2025. Big things are coming for this player, provided he can stay healthy. The Steelers are plenty deep here too. Cole Holcomb has plus starter potential if healthy. Harrison and Bruener will be major special teams contributors, who can also play if needed.
Outside Linebacker: (5) – TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, DeMarvin Leal
The outside linebackers are easy to pick out of this roster. I decided to throw a curveball by adding DeMarvin Leal here. With plenty of roster spots up for grabs due to the lack of talent on offense, the Steelers might get creative to keep Leal. He can function as depth at linebacker, and defensive line as well.
Corner: (7) – Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, James Pierre, Beanie Bishop
Seven corners may seem like a lot, but I have a theory. Jalen Ramsey will serve as this team’s free safety in base, then move to the slot in the nickel. This will reduce the need for four safeties on the roster. Add that to the fact that James Pierre is strictly a special teams option, and you can see the need for this many corners. This is as deep as the Pittsburgh Steelers have been at corner in recent memory, might as well take advantage of it.
Safety: (3) – Deshon Elliot, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark
In a bit of a surprise here, I have Chuck Clark replacing Miles Killebrew on the roster. Clark can give the Steelers what Killebrew does on special teams, and he is actually capable of playing safety. In the end this comes down to whether or not the Steelers think Beanie Bishop, or Miles Killlabrew will be a more useful player to them in 2025. I’m betting it’s Bishop. I had Sebastian Castro making the roster in version 1.0, that’s still a very real possibility Steelers 53 man roster prediction 1.0: The way too early version
Specialists: (3) – Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Not much to add here. These are your 2025 specialists barring injury.
Don’t forget to check out the latest episode of the Steelers Sanctuary Podcast on our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/live/z4lbmpjkurU?si=iRk6qHrHcKIePcFo