Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster prediction, depth chart after NFL Draft

Edge defender: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Quincy Roche, Cassius Marsh

I was really worried for a minute that the Steelers weren’t going to draft an edge defender at all. Despite losing both Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Pittsburgh ignored taking a depth outside linebacker with their first six picks in the NFL Draft.

Luckily, Quincy Roche fell into their lap in the sixth round, and the Steelers couldn’t refuse. Defensive Player of the Year candidate, T.J. Watt will retain his role as the starting left outside linebacker with Alex Highsmith working largely in a full-time role across from him.

Despite Quincy Roche’s late-round draft status, I truly think he not only earns a roster spot with this team but is the first outside linebacker off the bench in the defensive rotation – barring any late offseason additions in free agency. I have veteran Cassius Marsh rounding out the depth at the edge defender position. Marsh was less than spectacular this year, and if the Steelers do indeed decide to sign another player at this position, my money is on Roche staying and Marsh getting the boot.