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Steelers roster and practice squad prediction for 2019

By Edward Hunt

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Place kicker Matthew Wright #11 of the UCF Knights kicks a 37-yard field goal during the third quarter of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Place kicker Matthew Wright #11 of the UCF Knights kicks a 37-yard field goal during the third quarter of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers head into training camp with a roster full of players hoping to be kept to achieve their dream of playing in the NFL. Here is a look at my prediction.

Steelers Quarterbacks (3)

  1. Ben Roethlisberger
  2. Josh Dobbs
  3. Mason Rudolph

The Steelers have three options at QB including two possible contenders for the QB job once Ben Roethlisberger retires. I could see Devlin Hodges having a good camp, but that would put him in more of a category to get the Steelers trade value.

Running Back (3)

  1. James Conner
  2. Benny Snell Jr.
  3. Jaylen Samuels

These three are pretty clear cut. Benny Snell will slide into the #2 job and Samuels is special teams capable. I could see Trey Edmunds in the picture with a good camp but for now I will have to see it.

Fullback (1)

  1. Roosevelt Nix

Nix will be the fullback this year and I can’t imagine the Steelers will carry another one. Nix is most valuable for his special teams ability.

Wide Receiver (6)

  1. JuJu Smith-Schuster
  2. Donte Moncrief
  3. James Washington
  4. Diontae Johnson
  5. Ryan Switzer
  6. Johnny Holton

This is a position where there will be a lot of competition. My guess is that Ryan Switzer is kept because he is the best returner on the roster. Johnny Holton will be kept because of his special teams ability. The other four are close to locks as long as James Washington has a decent camp.

Tight End (3)

  1. Vance McDonald
  2. Xavier Grimble
  3. Zach Gentry

It’s hard to imagine anyone else making the roster as there isn’t a lot of talent at this position. The Steelers seem to like Grimble and Gentry is a developmental player. I could see him being used as an inactive though on game day.

Offensive Line (9)

  1. Alejandro Villanueva
  2. Ramon Foster
  3. Maurkice Pouncey
  4. David DeCastro
  5. Matt Feiler
  6. Chukwuma Okorafor
  7. B.J. Finney
  8. Jerald Hawkins
  9. Derwin Gray

The Black & Gold like to keep nine offensive linemen on the roster and they may have enough talent this year to do it. The big wild card is Derwin Gray who may turn into a position flexible backup. I think Jerald Hawkins has looked good when playing; so, I’m gonna bet that he is kept even if he is not a game day active.

Defensive Line (6)

  1. Cameron Heyward
  2. Stephon Tuitt
  3. Javon Hargrave
  4. Tyson Alualu
  5. Dan McCullers
  6. Isaiah Buggs

The Steelers almost always carry six defensive linemen on the roster and so it would be surprising if it were any other number. The first five have earned jobs in Pittsburgh and Isaiah Buggs could be a nice addition coming from a team like Alabama. I wouldn’t count Lavon Hooks out though.

Outside Linebacker (4)

  1. T.J. Watt
  2. Bud Dupree
  3. Anthony Chickillo
  4. Olasunkanmi Adeniyi

The Steelers may need to only carry four here. My feeling is that the top three will play and Chickillo will be used on special teams. Adeniyi might be kept just for his future pass rushing ability.

Inside Linebacker (5)

  1. Vince Williams
  2. Devin Bush
  3. Mark Barron
  4. Ulysses Gilbert III
  5. Tyler Matakevich

The Steelers might want to carry five here with Williams and Bush being the base linebackers and Barron being brought in for the dime package. Gilbert is a player I like and I think he has a better chance to make the team then others are saying. Tyler Matakevich will be kept for special teams but he has shown in his career that he can be a thumper.

Cornerback (6)

  1. Joe Haden
  2. Steven Nelson
  3. Mike Hilton
  4. Cameron Sutton
  5. Justin Layne
  6. Brian Allen

The first five are locks to make the team. Brian Allen is on the bubble but I think he makes it on special teams as a height, weight and speed guy.

Safety (4)

  1. Sean Davis
  2. Terrell Edmunds
  3. Jordan Dangerfield
  4. Marcus Allen

Jordan Dangerfield is the type of player you want to keep because he is physical, plays special teams and can fill in as a backup. Marcus Allen is going to improve from year one to year two.

Specialists

  1. Matthew Wright
  2. Jordan Berry
  3. Kameron Canaday

I have Chris Boswell being cut after a weak 2018. He will battle Matthew Wright for the kicker job. The punter job will be a good competition too.

Practice Squad

  1. Trey Edmunds
  2. Tevin Jones
  3. Diontae Spencer
  4. Christian Scotland-Williamson
  5. Patrick Morris
  6. Fred Johnson
  7. Greg Gilmore
  8. J.T. Jones
  9. Sutton Smith
  10. Alexander Myres
  11. P.J. Locke

This is always a hard part of the roster to predict but I have a reason for all of them. Trey Edmunds can play special teams. Tevin Jones can cover kicks. Diontae Spencer can return kicks and punts, while Scotland-Williamson is the international player and so it doesn’t cost them a spot on the practice squad. Patrick Morris can help with depth at center after B.J. Finney even though Matt Feiler has experience there. Fred Johnson is an intriguing undrafted free agent.

dark. Next. How excited should Steelers fans be for training camp?

I could seen them keeping two interior guys with Derwin Gray able to play right tackle. Greg Gilmore was resigned and that gives me the impression the Steelers coaching staff likes him. J.T. Jones is a good pass rusher. Sutton Smith is a draft pick who might be able to play multiple positions and special teams. Alexander Myres projects as a special teams player and P.J. Locke is a hard-hitter.

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