With the majority of the Steelers offseason wrapped up, here are my early predictions for how the team’s final 53-man roster will look.
The Steelers free agency and draft are over with and now the talk should shift to how this final roster will look. While there is still a long way to go between now and final cutdowns, some players already look like locks. Here are my early predictions for what the Steelers final roster will look like.
Steelers QB (3)
Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Chris Oladonkun
The Steelers stick to their usual formula here and hold onto three quarterbacks. The first two are set, as both Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky will be fighting it out for the starting role. I give the initial edge to Pickett, as I believe he is pro-ready and at his age, sitting for a year won’t be a huge help. That said that battle can go either way.
The real surprise here is Chris Oladonkun making the squad over Mason Rudolph. With Pickett being so pro-ready, it doesn’t make much sense to keep Rudolph at this point though. Ideally, he gets dealt, but no matter what I don’t expect him to make the final roster unless he is extremely impressive.
Oladonkun, to his credit, flashed quite a bit in school. He needs some work, but he would benefit more as the third quarterback than Rudolph. Unless he looks like a train wreck, I expect him to claim the third quarterback spot.
Steelers RB (5)
Najee Harris, Benny Snell, Mataeo Durant, Derek Watt, Connor Heyward
This is a really weird group to predict right now, as both the traditional runners and fullback-types are a mix right now. Of the group, Najee Harris is the only lock as he is the starter of the group and will likely handle the lead back role once again. The next safest is Benny Snell. His abilities as a back are mediocre, but he can handle a heavy workload and play special teams.
I opted to keep a wildcard in Mataeo Durant. The undrafted rookie running back tested well as an athlete and his straight-line speed pops on tape. Add in his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and he has some potential. This spot could truly go anywhere though, and there is still a real chance that a free agent takes this spot.
Finally, I predict the team to keep both Derek Watt and Connor Heyward. Watt will resume his traditional role as a fullback and special teams option. Heyward can play a variety of roles and also play on special teams. Heyward’s versatility allows them to keep both, as they can both be used in this offense.
Steelers WR (6)
Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski
I contemplated the Steelers only keeping five here, but ultimately, I think the team opts to be safe and keep six here. The top four are all locks at this point. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool will both resume their roles as starters. Look for Claypool to get more involved in other ways this season, as the team has the depth and flexibility along the line to make that work.
George Pickens is my favorite pick for this past draft class, and as a second-round pick, he is obviously a lock. Expect him to be a contributor sooner rather than later amongst this group. While a fourth-round pick could, in theory, be cut, Calvin Austin seems relatively safe. He has a unique skill set in this room and should be a contributor as a rookie.
The last two are more question marks. I think Gunner Olszewski is a safer bet to make the roster due to his special teams ability. He can return punts and kicks and serve as a coverage player on the other units. Finally, Miles Boykin will have to connect quickly in this offense, but his size and speed mixed in with his special teams’ ability should make him a safe bet assuming this team keeps six total receivers.
Steelers TE (2)
Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry
Another bold prediction and change of pace from what the team usually does, only two tight ends end up making the roster. While the team has traditionally kept three on their final roster, there aren’t three great options here. Add in the fact that the Steelers have used just two tight ends on their active gameday roster recently and there is a chance only two are kept here.
Pat Freiermuth is set to be the starter, and I can’t lie, I am expecting big things from him. Tight ends have one of the tougher transitions to the NFL, but Freiermuth looked comfortable in year one. Add in an offense that is lacking a security blanket and I expect a huge jump in production for the second-year threat.
Zach Gentry makes up the other rostered option. While he had a slow start to his career, he made some major leaps last season. He is now a great second option and a blocker. The team could keep a third name, but with Heyward likely playing a hybrid role and a lack of great options, I think only two guys stick here.
Steelers OL (8)
Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, John Leglue
I wanted to keep nine here, but I couldn’t find a name that made sense for that last spot. Four of the starters are already set. Dan Moore will reprise his role as the left tackle, and I would expect the second-year player to make some improvements. Chukwuma Okorafor will man the other side after signing a sizable deal to remain with the team. The interior will be made up of newly added James Daniels and Kevin Dotson.
The real question is who gets the nod at center. Kendrick Green is the incumbent starter, but he shared a lot of issues as a rookie. While the expectation should be for him to make some improvements, he isn’t a lock to start. The team also added Mason Cole to compete on a sizable deal. That said, he has had his fair of struggles. Last year he showed some promise, but he will need to prove a lot.
The backups are a toss-up beyond that. Joe Haeg should be close to a lock. He is a capable swing tackle and can kick inside if needed to guard. The last man making the roster is John Leglue. While not any sort of a dominant player last year, he held his own as a blocker and has a lot of versatility as to where he can play along the line.
Steelers DL (7)
Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Stephon Tuitt, Chris Wormley, DeMarvin Leal, Montravious Adams, Carlos Davis
With a lighter group at tight and offensive line, the Steelers have the space to keep seven defensive linemen. One of the deeper groups right now of this roster, keeping seven is a bit of excess, but after the injuries they suffered through last season, it may be a safer bet to keep some extra bodies.
The biggest question mark of this group of backups would be Carlos Davis. The team could cut bait with the former seventh-round pick or try and keep him on the practice squad. That said, with this likely being Tyson Alualu’s last ride, having a couple of potential nose tackle options stashed on the team makes sense.
As for the other elephant in the room, I do have the team keeping Stephon Tuitt as of now. Perhaps the team does move on from him or he moves on from them, but signs seem to be pointing towards a potential return. That said, if he decides not to come back, then the Steelers will likely only keep six here. Until that is more concrete, I like the team holding onto seven options here.
Steelers Edge (4)
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka
From one of the deepest positions on the roster to one of the shallowest, the Steelers could and should still realistically add some better edge depth. The starters are both fine, as T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith work well together. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Highsmith have a strong season after finishing 2021 well and with the likely added focus shifting to Watt next season.
The team added Genard Avery on a cheap deal this offseason as well. While his contract in no way locks him into a roster spot, there is little reason to believe he won’t make it. He is a little short to play edge in this scheme, but he has a lot of experience so far as a reserve. With no other great options, he certainly makes sense.
Rounding out the group is Derrek Tuszka. He was added after roster cutdowns in the last offseason, and he developed into a decent reserve. His special teams play is his best value, but he even contributed as a pass rusher last year. That all said, this team is shallow here, and they are one serious injury away from being in a bad place in 2022.
Steelers ILB (5)
Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Buddy Johnson, Marcus Allen
This should end up being one of the hardest fought positions despite the fact that the talent here isn’t immense. Myles Jack will hope to recapture some of his earlier successes after joining this squad in the offseason. Meanwhile, Devin Bush will be playing for his starting career, as a bad 2021 has made his future a murky one.
Robert Spillane isn’t anything flashy as a backup, but the team trusts him, and he can be a key special teams contributor on the side. I feel like he is a safe bet to make the team. Marcus Allen is less of a lock, but he has become a core special teams player as well, and he has some experience playing defense for this team.
Buddy Johnson is far from a lock after barely playing as a rookie, but he has the size and athleticism this team likes in their linebackers. I think he gets the nod. Missing out is Ulysees Gilbert and seventh-round pick Mark Robinson. Gilbert is nothing more than an average special teams player while Robinson needs some time on the practice squad to develop before making the final roster.
Steelers CB (6)
Cameron Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Damontae Kazee, James Pierre, Bryce Watts
A little more cut and drier here, the Steelers’ top three are locks while the next two are close to it. The team is lacking a true top cornerback, but they have a secondary made up of quality second options. Ahkello Witherspoon was brought back while Levi Wallace was added on identical deals, and both will push each other to take on a starting outside role on this defense.
Damontae Kazee was added right after the draft, and while you could list him as a safety, I see the team trying him out at slot cornerback. James Pierre also makes the squad again. While he had his fair share of struggles as a defender, he is a fine special teams player. If he can make any sort of improvements as a coverage option as well, he could become a key reserve.
I throw out another dart at the wall in Bryce Watts making the final squad. Undrafted out of Massachusetts, Watts plays with a lot of physicality and has the size to play outside or inside. He needs some work in coverage, but he could be an instant special teams star as he works on developing his defensive skills. He beats out the rest of the roster and is essentially the 53rd man to make this roster.
Steelers S (4)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Tre Norwood, Miles Killibrew
Again, you could technically count this as five, as Kazee will likely be used all over the defense as his versatility is his best asset. The starters are clear as well, as the Steelers made no significant draft move to think otherwise. Minkah Fitzpatrick will reprise his role as star safety while Terrell Edmunds will be the more physical run-stopping presence.
The next two names are also pretty safe. Miles Killibrew is a great special teams defender, meaning that he holds a lot of value to this team. They also used him on defense in the box some last season, so he could get work there again. Tre Norwood was used in the slot and as a deep safety on occasion. He has some things to work on, but it was an impressive rookie season from the former seventh-round pick.
With Kazee offering some help here, I find it hard to believe that the team keeps any more than four here. Do keep an eye out on Donovan Stiner though. The former undrafted rookie was a fun prospect at Florida, and he could take a step in the right direction this offseason. As of now though, this group appears to be set.
Steelers ST (3)
Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin, Christian Kuntz
Going basic here, I can’t envision any major changes happening to this group even though it is a possibility. The safest of the three is easily Chris Boswell. He has been an absolute unit over the past few years after struggling for a season. He is one of the top kickers in the game and that shouldn’t’ stop after this season.
Pressley Harvin is a different story. The seventh-round punter struggled with inconsistencies last season and is no lock to make the team. His rostered competition isn’t much, but the team certainly could look elsewhere during roster cutdowns to get their guy. I’ll give Harvin the benefit of the doubt, but he needs to prove himself sooner than later.
Finally, Christian Koontz made the roster last season which was a bit surprising. That said, he was consistent all season, so there is little trouble with me keeping him. While the latter two names aren’t much, they both have experience in this system and can work. They need to prove themselves, but there doesn’t seem to be much competition there.
While there is still a long way to go before rosters are set, these are my early predictions for the final roster. Keep them in mind as the team transitions out of the offseason and begins preparing for training camp and the next season of football.