With the league trimming down their rosters to 53 players, here are seven final cuts that would improve the Steelers roster.
While the Steelers have gotten their roster down to 53 players, there is still work to be done before the team plays the Bills in week one. More than likely, a few of the recent cuts around the league will draw interest from the team, especially considering the question marks at depth in the secondary and along the offensive line. Luckily, the team has quite a few talented players to choose from. Here are seven final cuts from around the league that would improve the Steelers’ current depth chart.
Steelers should sign Rodgers
While the Steelers’ top two tight ends are set, Zach Gentry leaves a lot to desire as a third option. While the former quarterback finally showed some development during practice, he struggled in games and did little of note in the preseason. His blocking isn’t anything special either and he doesn’t offer much as a special teams player. Compare what he offers to a veteran like Richard Rodgers, and the team would be wise to bring in the veteran.
Rodgers didn’t make the cut in a talented Eagles tight end room. Now, he is looking for work and the Steelers could use him as an improvement at the third tight end spot. Had Gentry had a more complete offseason, Rodgers wouldn’t be a sensical name. That said, the team could easily upgrade this position by simply adding Rodgers to the depth chart.
Steelers should sign Trufant
One of the biggest shocks on the Steelers roster was their decision to only carry eight defensive backs (four corners and four safeties). As such, the names populating this list will skew heavily towards the secondary. Starting off with Desmond Trufant, the former first-round pick has begun to slow down, but he can still be a valuable contributor in the secondary.
While he isn’t the starter that he once was, he is still a capable reserve. He has outside and slot flexibility, and he could aid in mentoring the younger corners along with Joe Haden. He can serve as the backup slot corner and outside corner while also keeping James Pierre working for his starting role.
The biggest issue with Trufant is his lack of special teams’ ability. At his age, he wouldn’t contribute at all there. That said, Justin Layne was kept largely for his ability as a special teams gunner. He can maintain that role while Trufant serves as the backup defender. He would be a savvy veteran to add at this point in the offseason. His age and special teams’ ability are holding him back, but he would still improve the cornerback depth chart.
Steelers should sign Redwine
While the Steelers only keeping four cornerbacks is surprising, keeping only four safeties is less so. That said, While Tre Norwood flashed versatility in camp, he still has a ways to go before he should be seeing significant playing time. The team should still be in the hunt for a capable backup safety, and preferably one that can play deep at free safety.
I had highlighted Sheldrick Redwine as a potential roster fit about a month ago given his solid play in 2020. He was forced into a partial starter role and did ok. The Browns focused on revamping the secondary this offseason though, and as a result, Redwine was deemed expendable. He would be a great depth piece at safety and is young enough that he could continue to develop into an even better player.
He only allowed a quarterback rating of 65.6 when he was targeted in the passing game. Add in his special teams’ value (he played 42 percent of the Browns snaps there) and he would have a clear role on the roster from the moment he was signed. The team could still keep Norwood on the roster or move him to the practice squad, but Redwine far and away needs to be a name that should be brought in.
Steelers should sign Tavai
While the trade for Joe Schobert has alleviated the Steelers’ need for a capable starter at off-ball linebacker, the depth chart there could still use some work. Robert Spillane had one of the ugliest tumbles down the depth chart as he went from projected starter to low-level backup. Former second-round pick Jahlani Tavai was cut by the Lions, and he would be a smart addition for the Steelers.
Tavai wasn’t great as a complete linebacker for the Lions, but he was a capable run-stopper for their defense. As well, he can contribute on special teams and on the defensive side of the field on obvious running plays. He would be a better defender than Spillane at this point, so signing him would instantly elevate the off-ball linebacker depth chart.
His spot wouldn’t cost Spillane a job either. He could stay on the team as a special teams’ ace and go back to a role he excelled at. Instead, a player like Ulysees Gilbert, who had an equally bad camp, could be cut to make way for Tavai. The team would gain a much better defender and would not have to rely on Spillane for rotational defensive snaps. Easily, this would better the roster.
Steelers should sign Wilson
Going back to the safety depth chart, the Jaguars parted ways with their former starter at free safety in Jarrod Wilson. The former Jaguar was respectable in coverage and was an able tackler. It was surprising to see the team part ways with him, but the team appears set to start Rayshawn Jenkins this year and Wilson would have cost too much to be a reserve.
Now a free agent, the Steelers should be quick to try and bring him in. He would instantly be the top reserve safety on the roster and would be a capable fill-in at free safety if Minkah Fitzpatrick were to miss any time. As well, given his coverage ability, he could see dime work as the additional defensive back for the defense. Finally, while he saw his special teams’ snaps diminish last year, he was a regular on the unit beforehand, and he would likely reestablish himself in that role with a new team.
The only issue I could foresee with Wilson is that he would want a better opportunity to start. While he would be a role player for the team, he may want a chance to maximize his value as a potential free agent in 2022. If he were willing though, he would easily be the top name on this list. He is a fine starter who would assume a role on the defense while also serving as a key backup for Fitzpatrick.
Steelers should sign Skura
One of the hottest names cut this offseason was Matt Skura. The former Raven guard and center signed a deal with the Dolphins and was the favorite to be their starter. He lost out though and was deemed too expensive to be a backup. With his value now at the minimum though, the Steelers should be all over him and attempt to sign him as soon as they can.
The team made the surprising decision to release both B.J. Finney and Rashaad Coward at cut downs. This leaves the team with just one backup interior lineman. While Joe Haeg can move inside to guard in a pinch, the team could use a more natural player there, especially considering Trai Turner’s spotty injury history.
Skura could fill that role perfectly, as he was a guard during his rookie season before moving to center. He was an above-average center while with the Ravens, and he would provide great interior depth. As well, he could push Kendrick Green for the starting center role to keep the rookie on top of his development. Overall, with the team short on interior lineman, Skura is an obvious add at this point for the team.
Steelers should sign Joseph
Reports came out earlier in the offseason that the Steelers were visiting with former first-round safety Karl Joseph. The former Brown and Raider had a heavy amount of Steelers’ interest during the pre-draft process a few years ago, and the team had a huge need at safety. Joseph opted for a reunion with the Raiders, but it was short-lived as he ultimately didn’t make the final roster for Las Vegas.
While he isn’t as good of a safety as Wilson is, he has some other things going for him. For starters, the Steelers’ interest in him in both the draft and during this offseason makes him an obvious name to be brought in. As well, he has position flexibility, as he is a more natural strong safety that can play free safety in a pinch. As well, he likely would be more accepting of a reserve role than Wilson would be at this point.
He has been a decent special teams option so far (albeit, it isn’t his calling card) so he could contribute there as well as being a backup defender. The team has another chance to bring him in now and considering how short they are at depth in the secondary, it would make a slot of sense for him to wind up with the team. His name makes the most sense to make it onto this roster post-NFL cuts.
Despite the Steelers setting an initial roster, the odds are that some other pieces are added to strengthen this team. It happens every year, and the team still has holes that need to be addressed this year. These seven NFL cuts would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to bring in before the start of the regular season.