Early predictions for the Steelers 2021 53-man roster
By Shayne Kubas
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsNow that training camp is approaching, the players fighting for a spot on the Steelers 53-man roster will become more clear. Who will make the cut?
With mandatory minicamp over, the Steelers coaching staff should be starting to get a feel for this year’s group. With training camp soon to follow, how many of the new faces will make the final 53? Here is an early prediction of the Steelers 2021 opening week roster, starting with the most important position in sports.
The Quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins
Nothing surprising here, with Ben Roethlisberger the unquestioned starter and Mason Rudolph locked in as the #2 after his 1-year extension this offseason. The question here is whether former Washington 1st-round pick Dwayne Haskins can do enough to convince the team to keep him as the #3 QB. Josh Dobbs was the #3 last year, but Haskins has much more upside and should be able to beat him out as long as he shows he can learn the playbook. The Steelers had 3 QBs on their roster all of last year, so Haskins appears to have a clear path to making the final 53.
The Running backs: Najee Harris, Anthony Mcfarland, Benny Snell, Derek Watt
Despite typically having 4 true halfbacks on the roster for depth and special teams, this year is a bit different. The addition of Najee Harris gives the Steelers a true bell-cow to give a huge workload to, which will create less need for depth. Snell and Mcfarland will get occasional touches of course, but I highly doubt it becomes any type of committee like we saw last year.
Jaylen Samuels has done nothing over the past 2 seasons to earn a spot on the roster, and Trey Edmunds doesn’t bring much to the table. The one wild-card is Kalen Ballage, who has more physical ability than Snell but has struggled to produce on the field. My guess is familiarity with the team and his fit as a power runner gives Snell the edge. Finally, Watt continues to be the fullback as the team tries to create an identity as a physical rushing offense.