Percent chance of Steelers defensive players making the team

The Steelers have a many defensive players whose jobs are not secure. For those with a shot, here are the percent chances of making the team in 2019.

The Steelers are set to take the field for training camp this Friday in Latrobe. Unfortunately, they will be forced to cut their roster from 90 players down to 53 before the start of the season.

For many players on Pittsburgh’s defense, their job is already secure, and there is nothing they could do to hurt their guaranteed roster spot. For others’ however, it’s an uphill battle to make the team.

Here is the percent chance of each projected non-starter to make the Steelers defense in 2019:

100% chance

Anthony Chickillo, EDGE

Justin Layne, CB

Mike Hilton, CB

Mark Barron, LB

Tyson Alualu, DL

Outside of the projected starters for this season, these 5 reserve players are guaranteed to make the roster in 2019. Each of these players are either the primary backups at their positions or an investment of the Steelers. They will all have a place on the roster in September.

95% chance

Ola Adeniyi, EDGE

Ola Adeniyi may be a former undrafted free agent, but I don’t know if I have ever felt this confident about an undrafted player who has never seen NFL action. Adeniyi was fantastic last preseason and is the clear favorite to land the Steelers 4th outside linebacker spot.

90% chance

Marcus Allen, SS

Cameron Sutton, DB

These two young secondary players stand a very good shot at making the roster in 2019. Marcus Allen is presumed to be the player to assume Morgan Burnett’s former role as the Steelers dime backer, while Sutton has some experience off the bench at both cornerback and free safety. Their jobs should be safe again this season.

70% chance

Brian Allen, DB

Artie Burns, CB

Isaiah Buggs, DL

Until other players come along to supplant them, Artie Burns and Brian Allen stand a good shot at making the roster in 2019. Though both will be reserve players for the Steelers, they can be called on in a pinch. Isaiah Buggs was a 6th round draft choice this year, and doesn’t have a lot of competition in his way.

65% chance

Tyler Matakevich, LB

Sutton Smith, LB

Dan McCullers, DT

Tyler Matakevich is entering his 4th season, and has been a special teams gem as a former 7th round draft choice. Sutton Smith should offer much of the same, and it will be interesting to see if the Steelers could use both this year. McCullers isn’t a great backup, but he has a role in goal-line defense, and may be able to hold down his spot for his 6th season.

55% chance

Jordan Dangerfield, SS

The Steelers don’t have any seasoned veterans at the safety position outside of Dangerfield. He has stuck around since 2014, and has a shot to do so again this season as a backup safety.

40% chance

Ulysees Gilbert, LB

P.J. Locke, S

Now we are starting to get into dicey territory. Both of these guys are young and have a lot to prove. A great showing at camp could increase these odds, but with players ahead of them on the roster, there is only a coins flip chance that they make the roster in 2019.

35% chance

Kameron Kelly, DB

Dravon Askew-Henry, SS

These two defensive backs have a shot to make the roster, but it is going to take impressive training camps and great showings in preseason to do so. The Steelers don’t have a lot of depth at safety, which is working in their favor.

5% chance

Lavon Hooks, DL

Tuzar Skipper, EDGE

There will be a few other players who will stand a very small chance to crack the roster, but it will be an extremely difficult battle. Lavon Hooks has been in the league since 2015, but can’t seem to find the active roster. Tuzar Skipper is a player that has drawn some buzz, but is very unlikely to beat out Adeniyi, and the Steelers hardly ever keep more than four outside linebackers.

It will be interesting to see who ends up making the final cut on the Steelers defense. We can predict most of the players that will be on the roster in 2019, but there are always a few surprises thrown in there. Some of these players could help their cause with an excellent showing at training camp.