The Steelers 90-man roster is almost set, and while there is a long way to go before the roster is cut to 53, here is an early look at a likely team for 2021.
The Steelers rookies and undrafted players have been brought in, and now we patiently wait for training camp to begin. Pittsburgh’s roster has quite a few spots open to be claimed by new players which should make the training camp battles rather fierce.
While players haven’t reported to camp yet – making this an extremely early prediction – quite a bit can be inferred based on the moves the team made in the draft. With that said, here is my 53-man roster prediction for the 2021 Steelers.
QB (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins
The top two here are relatively set. Unless things really unravel, Ben Roethlisberger will be the Steelers starting QB in 2021. Considering Mason Rudolph signed a contract extension right before the draft, he is clearly the favored backup option. The only way they switch roles as starter and backup is if Roethlisberger regresses to an unplayable stage this season.
Where the battle really begins is for the number three quarterback. The Steelers re-signed Josh Dobbs and brought in former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to compete for this role. I think Haskins slightly edges out Dobbs due to him being younger with more potential down the road. That said, it should be a close battle no matter what. Either way, I would expect whoever gets cut to land on the practice squad.
RB (4): Najee Harris, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Derrick Watt
While the Steelers kept five total backs last season, it would make logical sense for the team to cut that number down to four. Last season, the team was betting on James Conner remaining healthy for the year but rostered an additional running back in case of injury. Now, the team is set to start Najee Harris at running back, and given his first-round status, he should be entrusted to be the bell cow.
Could the team keep a fifth back? Potentially, but if the team wants Harris to be the complete guy, it wouldn’t make much sense. Instead, expect the backups in Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland to battle it out with Kallen Ballage and Jaylen Samuels respectfully. Considering Samuels doesn’t offer much skill on the offensive or defensive side of the team, McFarland makes much more sense as a change of pace back.
The battle between Ballage and Snell is more intriguing, to say the least. Ballage has a bit more athleticism and was successful as a short-yardage back last season. That said, Snell is a key special teams contributor and still can provide some value on offense. Thus, Snell gets the roster spot. As for Derrick Watt, there isn’t another fullback on the roster right now, so his spot seems set in stone.
WR (5): JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud
I wanted the Steelers to carry a sixth receiver, and more specifically a slot option like Anthony Johnson, but needs elsewhere and the strength of the options on the roster led to this number staying at five. Each player has a defined role, and the strengths of each individual makes this group complete at only five options
Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson will resume their roles as starters. Each is different enough from the other to all play at the same time. Smith-Schuster will resume his role as the physical slot receiver while Claypool will look to build off of an impressive rookie season. Don’t sleep on Johnson this season either. His drops were a frustrating point last season, but he is clearly one of the top targets on this offense and one of the most dynamic weapons with the ball in his hands
After them, James Washington will be top reserve at most spots, giving this team great depth and versatility, and Ray-Ray McCloud will serve as the gadget receiver and returner. The question becomes will this team keep a reserve around? I’m saying no right now, but if a player like Johnson or even undrafted rookie Isaiah McKoy does enough in camp and on special teams to earn a spot, six receivers are certainly in play.
TE (3): Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth, Kevin Rader
In a perfect world, the Steelers would still add another capable tight end on the cheap such as Jesse James to give the team a capable group here, but the selection of Pat Freiermuth will likely lead to him looking for work elsewhere. That said, this position certainly got stronger and more stable at the conclusion of this draft.
Eric Ebron will resume his role as a starter, and he should be the primary receiving threat out of this group this season. Based on how he structured his contract to void after this season, this will likely be his last year with the team. Freiermuth will be the top reserve and should see a preference in heavier sets and even in traditional two tight end sets. Long term, he should be viewed as the starter.
That leaves the last spot on the roster open, and while the team has a draft pick invested in Zach Gentry, I can’t see him beating out Kevin Rader. Rader is the better blocker and special teams player by far, which gives him value as the third tight end. Gentry never developed much into a receiving threat and his blocking was never anything better than average. Rader seems like the better fit as the third tight end.
OL (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, B.J. Finney, David DeCastro, Zach Banner, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, Dan Moore Jr., Rashaad Coward
The Steelers seem set to go heavy at offensive line as well, considering the amount of overall depth this team possesses at the position. Like most, the top eight players are set in stone and are in little danger of losing their roster spot. This leaves very little room for debate outside of who makes the roster as the final lineman.
With plenty of tackle-capable options, it would make sense for the Steelers to retain an additional interior player. While J.C. Hassenauer is center capable, he is relatively undersized and wouldn’t make sense as a backup guard. Instead, the team rolls with Rashaad Coward due to his starting experience and him being a more natural guard than Hassenauer.
The starters seem relatively set outside of the center position. That said, even if B.J. Finney reverts as a reserve instead of the starting center, his roster spot still should be secure. Meanwhile, Joe Haeg will be the swing tackle while rookie offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. develops this season. While the starters have a bit to prove this season, the depth here is rather excellent.
DL (7): Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Carlos Davis, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Henry Mondeaux
The Steelers don’t typically keep seven defensive linemen, but when the team signed and proceeded to dress Henry Mondeaux consistently throughout the season. While his ability on defense isn’t great, he is a great special teams player that serves a multitude of facets in every phase.
Assuming he lands the final defensive line spot, that means Isaiah Buggs becomes the odd man out. The team clearly started to favor Mondeaux over Buggs for his versatility. Carlos Davis slots in more as a nose tackle, meaning that he will be the natural backup to Tyson Alualu. This leaves the battle between Isaiahh Loudermilk and Buggs. Considering the team’s investment in Loudermilk, I’d expect Buggs to be out.
The starters won’t change too much from last year. The only main difference that seems likely is Davis getting more of a rotational role on the defense. With Alualua aging, his time on this team is almost done. Davis showed promise in a limited role and it would be wise for the team to see what they have in him. As for Chris Wormley, he will resume his role as top defensive end depth.
EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Quincy Roche, Cassius Marsh
One of the weakest positions on the depth chart, edge rusher seems like a great spot for the team to sign a veteran. The starters are set and shouldn’t be much in question, but the players behind them are more question marks than anything else. T.J. Watt is set to continue adding to his already great legacy while Alex Highsmith should build off a promising rookie season.
The issue comes behind them, as the seemingly top depth option right now is either sixth-round pick Quincy Roche or veteran Cassius Marsh. Marsh joined the team last season and was a fine special teams player, but he certainly isn’t someone you want to see considerable snaps. As for Roche, he was easily the best value pick in the draft for the Steelers, but banking on a sixth-round rookie to be your top backup edge rusher is a risk.
Assuming the Steelers don’t add a capable veteran option, this depth chart is likely set. While the team has a couple of unknown options and undrafted players, it would be a shock to see them beat out Marsh for the last spot at edge rusher. This group appears set, but don’t be surprised to see a veteran’s name pop up before training camp or after roster cuts.
ILB (5): Devin Bush, Vince Williams, Robert Spillane, Buddy Johnson, Marcus Allen
I can’t see the Steelers keeping more than five players here, and with the top four essentially set (it would be surprising for the team to cut a fourth-round rookie), there should be a battle for the final spot. While Ulysees Gilbert III has flashed in the past, his inability to remain healthy has been hard for him to overcome. Marcus Allen, on the other hand, did a decent job in his transition to inside linebacker and should maintain a reserve role there.
That doesn’t mean the team will or should just cut bait with Gilbert. He would be eligible for the practice squad and could take the season to continue resting his back and being ready to be called up in an emergency. Considering the depth that was needed at this position last season, it would be shocking if the team didn’t keep an able body on the practice squad.
Devin Bush is set to return as a starter while Vince Williams will resume his role as one of the best two down linebackers in the league. While it wouldn’t happen in week one, don’t be surprised to see Buddy Johnson move past Robert Spillane at some point. The team seems happy with selecting him in the fourth, and he has the athleticism to develop into a capable player.
CB (5): Joe Haden, Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Stephen Denmark, Shakur Brown
While cornerback is another position the team could keep six, it would likely come at the cost of an additional lineman or receiver. While plausible, the team isn’t brimming with a great option to be that sixth cornerback anyway. The team is comfortable with their top two starters, but this is yet another position that could see a veteran get added.
Some may point out that this list is missing Justin Layne, and quite frankly I don’t think he makes the roster this season. While the Steelers have a third-round pick invested in him, he got leaped by likely starter James Pierre by the end of last season. With his recent arrest bringing him into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, I think the team cuts bait with him unless he absolutely shines.
This group sees the only undrafted free agent make the list as well, as Shakur Brown makes the squad as the reserve slot cornerback. The other name, Stephen Denmark, is a tall corner that the team had an interest in a few years ago in the draft. He obviously hasn’t panned out yet, but if the team wants another big body on the outside and they decide to part ways with Layne, it would make sense for Denmark to get the nod.
S (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Arthur Maulet, Miles Killebrew, Antoine Brooks Jr.
The two starters are easily set as both should be trying to improve upon good 2020 seasons. Behind them are a lot of question marks. Of all of the backup options, it seems like Antoine Brooks Jr. has the best path to the roster right now. He is a natural strong safety and the teams’ utilization of him in the slot on occasion makes me think he could see an expanded role in 2021.
The Steelers would still need a free safety capably player behind Minkah Fitzpatrick through, and Brooks isn’t that. While Tre Norwood is a free safety-style player, he could use some time to develop on the practice squad. The recently signed Arthur Maulet is far more established as a player, and he should be the favorite to make the roster over Norwood at this point.
Lastly, Miles Killebrew is a hybrid linebacker/safety, but his best role will be as a special team’s option. The team will keep him on the roster as purely a special teams option only, where he has been one of the better players in the league in that role over the past few seasons. His defensive role should be minimal, but don’t be surprised if he is one of the most active special teams players in the league.
ST (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin, Kameron Canaday
Last but not least, we have the specialists. Two of these options are set, as the Steelers currently don’t have a legitimate contender for Chris Boswell or Kameron Canaday on the roster. Technically Christian Koontz can long snap, but he is also a linebacker and would appear to not poise a real threat to Canaday.
That leaves incumbent punter Jordan Berry set to square off with rookie seventh-round punter Pressley Harvin. While it should be a close battle given Berry’s veteran status, this is the first punter the Steelers have drafted in a long time. As well, Pressley is a Ray Guy award-winning punter. While the job isn’t his to lose per se, it would be a shock to see Berry beat him in camp all things considered.
With so many new roster spots open, the Steelers will have a training camp filled with competition for open spots. Expect the player to be fierce in their bid for a roster spot and don’t be surprised to see a few new and surprising names make the team once the Steelers cut the squad down to 53.