The Steelers are about to enter training camp, so let’s take a stab at who will make the final 53-man roster after final cuts.
The Steelers are just about to report to training camp and things will be interesting right out of the gate. There are many fresh faces on the team that will fight for different spots on the depth chart. Others will also be fighting for their football lives as they try and win one of the last roster spots available.
It should be an interesting pre-season as there are many different things at stake. It is a new era in Pittsburgh and there could be some surprise releases when it is all said and done. This does not seem like a completed roster and a free agent or two could always be signed onto the team between now and the early stages of the regular season.
Specialist (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
Chris Boswell is still money in the kicking game for the black and gold. He is the second best in the NFL, only behind Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens. He is up for a contract extension and will likely get something done during training camp.
Pressley Harvin III returns to the team after a tough rookie campaign for himself. He struggled with different things off the field, and he deserves another shot. He will get that as the Steelers did not bring in much competition for him to go up against.
Christian Kuntz won the job out of camp, and he will continue that here. He will likely be the starting long snapper for some time now and he showed no issues during the 2021 season. He kept the kicking and punting game in sync and these three will remain intact.
Steelers stick with three quarterbacks at the position
Quarterbacks (3): Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph/outside free agent, Kenny Pickett
The three quarterbacks on this roster seem set for now, but it could get interesting. The starter seems like it is already set, despite the Steelers being adamant that they will have an open competition. The way that the last spot at the position on the roster shakes out can still have a question mark next to it.
Mitch Trubisky will be the opening day starter for Matt Canada’s offense. It would take a lot of things to go bad for him to not at least start the season off as the starter. He should be able to run the offense well as he fits what their coordinator is looking for at the position.
Kenny Pickett was the first-round pick of the Steelers and he will obviously make the roster. He probably will not be the starter after only getting reps with the third team in minicamp. It would take a show stopping performance throughout the pre-season for him to start in week one.
Mason Rudolph is the question mark at this point. Many think he will make the roster and potentially be the second-string option to start the year. It seems like he will make the roster, but his future with the club could be his to decide. The Steelers could always release him or trade him if he requests it then bring in another veteran option.
Steelers keep the players that they know at running back
Running backs/full backs (4): Najee Harris, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFaland Jr., Derek Watt
Pittsburgh still has not addressed the depth at running back behind their starter and that could become a major issue. Their running game was one of the worst in the NFL, and they hope a revamped offensive line will change that. They still need someone either on their roster or someone that will join soon to become a factor behind their starter.
Najee Harris is a young star at running back for the Steelers. He will be a major factor on offense with Ben Roethlisberger out of the picture and young quarterbacks in the fold. This is going to be a big year for Harris and the team hopes that he will be able to have an easier life behind this offensive line.
Benny Snell Jr. is back yet again, and it seems like he should be able to make the roster rather easily. Even if another running back comes out of the woodwork, he will make the roster in a depth role. He is not a great second option, but he would be a decent third back to have on the roster.
The Steelers round out their running back group by sticking with Anthony McFarland Jr. as their third-stringer. They could always investigate adding a veteran free agent, but it does not seem likely at the moment. Derek Watt will be the full back as he plays solid on special teams and will hopefully get a bigger role on offense.
Receivers and tight ends stay pretty clear at the moment
Receivers (6): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski
The starting three on offense at the receiver position is still in the air now. Diontae Johnson is the number one option yet again and he deserves that spot. Chase Claypool and George Pickens will have time to figure out who plays in the slot or the opposite outside position of Johnson. The Steelers have a lot of options to figure out who should start at which position once the season begins.
Calvin Austin III is a shifty speed receiver that would be a great backup option in the slot. He could always emerge as a starter on offense, but it seems like he will slowly be integrated in. Miles Boykin is a big target that could have some untapped potential and provides some depth on the outside. Gunner Olszewski will be a return man and make the team off that, as he does not provide much as a receiver.
Tight ends (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
Pat Freiermuth is back and should become a top five tight end in the NFL during this upcoming season. He was one of the best rookies to play the position in NFL history. Zach Gentry is a nice reliable option that has really come along as a blocker. Connor Heyward makes the Steelers roster and beats out Kevin Rader based on his versatility and youth.
Offensive line shows that Pittsburgh needs to add to the trenches
Offensive line (9): Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, J.C. Hassenauer, outside free agent tackle
This was one of the most focused on positions for the Steelers during the offseason. This group really struggled during the 2021 season and could not find much ground in the run game. The goal was to revamp the unit and improve it and that seems like it happened since the last time the black and gold stepped on the field.
The starting five seem pretty much set up right now with Dan Moore and Chuks Okorafor returning as the tackles. Kevin Dotson and James Daniels will be the people movers at the guard spots and Mason Cole will be the starting center. There could be some competition during camp for a starting spot or two, but it does not seem likely.
Joe Haeg is the only proven backup tackle on the roster now. Looking at veteran free agents to help solidify the position behind the starters should be high on the priority list for Pittsburgh. Otherwise, they would have Chaz Green or someone else unproven behind them on the depth chart.
Kendrick Green will get a shot at winning a starting spot at center or guard, but that probably will not happen after the early going of the pre-season. J.C. Hassenauer rounds out the depth at the interior of the offensive line for now. He beat out John Leglue in this scenario since he had more experience both at center and guard.
Defensive line is straight forward for the Steelers final roster
Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Chris Wormley, Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams
The defensive line is another group that seems to be straight forward heading into training camp. Most of the starters are set besides there is some uncertainty at the opposite end spot of Cam Heyward. It looks like that position has an early favorite, but the rotation in certain packages still needs to be resolved heading out of camp.
Heyward will be the starter on this defense until he decides to retire from the league. Tyson Alualu is returning from injury but will be the starting nose tackle to start and seems like he will slide over to start next to Heyward in certain packages. Chris Wormely will be the next man up if Alualu falters or others are ready to go.
Larry Ogunjobi was a late addition to the Steelers in free agency and his health is still somewhat of a question mark. If he stays healthy, he will probably be the main person to fill in the spot that Stephon Tuitt left vacant. The depth behind these players has some quality players as well making this roster.
Montravis Adams was a great find and adds solid depth at nose tackle for Pittsburgh. DeMarvin Leal will have his role with the team expand as the year goes along as he develops more. Isaiahh Loudermilk should also have his role expand as many hope for him to have a big second year in the league.
Linebackers could use some outside help to improve their depth
Outside linebackers (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Derrek Tuszka, outside free agent
Outside linebacker could get interesting as the pre-season weighs on. T.J. Watt is back, and he will be the biggest impact player on defense. He has been one of the best, if not the best, defensive players in the NFL over the last three years.
Alex Highsmith is returning, and he carries a lot of expectations with him as many believe that he can eclipse the ten-sack mark in 2022. The depth behind the two starters is scarce right now. Genard Avery is on the roster currently, but the Steelers need to find a better depth option in free agency to bring in. Derrek Tuszka showed some nice glimpses late last year and could compile that into a roster spot now.
Inside linebackers (4): Devin Bush, Myles Jack, Buddy Johnson, Robert Spillane
Inside linebacker could have some depth battles in training camp or the coaches could feel like keeping five instead of four. The two starters will be Devin Bush and Myles Jack as these two players need to prove themselves in the NFL. It could be either the best tandem in the league or one of the worst.
The depth behind them could be a bit shallow, especially with only keeping four. Buddy Johnson will be back and should take a step forward in year two. Robert Spillane beat out Marcus Allen and others for the final spot on the roster because he brings experience both starting at the position and on special teams.
Secondary could get interesting with some internal competition
Cornerbacks (5): Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Cam Sutton, Arthur Maulet, Justin Layne
We wrap things up with the secondary and the cornerback position is filled with uncertainty. They have some talent with Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace as the outside starters, but they are mostly potential at the moment. Cam Sutton will be back and he has become one of the more reliable starters inside the hash marks for this defense.
The Steelers depth behind the starters are not the best at the moment and the club could always keep six, but they do not here. They keep Arthur Maulet around as he can provide some veteran depth at the slot-corner spot. Justin Layne still sticks around because he plays special teams and has some pedigree to be a depth piece behind the outside corners.
Safeties (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Tre Norwood, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
Safety has some solid starters and some quality depth pieces behind them. Minkah Fitzpatrick just got paid a lot of cash with his new contract as he is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Terrell Edmunds is back, and he will give you steady play at the starting strong safety spot.
Tre Norwood played very well for Pittsburgh and is some good depth that will play in certain packages. Damontae Kazee was a sneaky good addition that will also command some game time in certain instances as well. Miles Killebrew makes the club off his special teams play as the Steelers always need more of that.
The Steelers still have a ton of work ahead of them before they even have to think about making any cuts. This could be the potential outcome when their final 53-man roster is set in stone.