Early predictions for the Steelers 2021 53-man roster
By Shayne Kubas
The Wide Receivers: Chase Claypool, Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud
I know what you may be thinking: this is the same group that made the roster last year. Unless you are willing to give up on this group due to drops and making too many Tik Toks, I don’t see a reason to believe this won’t be the group they stick with. Unless someone were to beat out McCloud for return and gadget-play duties (Mathew Sexton perhaps?)
I expect nothing to change from last year. What does need to change is the way these 5 are used. That will fall on new OC Matt Canada, who at least should know what he has in this group with all of them returning.
The Tight Ends: Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry
Similar to the QB position, the #1 and #2 spots are locked up with Eric Ebron and rookie 2nd-round pick Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth could very well supplant Ebron as the top TE, but that would not change anything roster-construction-wise. The third spot could be up for grabs between Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader, with Rader being the more prototypical #3 TE. Still, Gentry has more receiving upside and is cheap enough as a former 5th-round pick not to be cut for cap reasons. I give the edge to Gentry here.