Pittsburgh Steelers pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction

Wide receivers (6):

Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski

The first four names on this list are remarkably easy to predict. While he’s looking for a lucrative new contract extension, Diontae Johnson is poised to be the Steelers number one pass-catching option again in 2022. Joining him in the starting lineup will be Chase Claypool — who is looking to have a bounce-back year after an unspectacular campaign a season ago.

Meanwhile, rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are locks to make the roster. Pickens was Pittsburgh’s second-round draft choice, while Austin was considered to be one of the biggest steals on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft.

After the first four, it gets really tricky. In recent years, the Steelers have kept just five receivers on their roster. Because of their current depth, I would have to assume they go with a sixth at the position this year — perhaps cutting an extra running back in the process.

This means that out of Miles Boykin, Anthony Miller, and Gunner Olszewski, one of these guys isn’t making the roster. I’ve wrestled with this, but I have Miller as the odd man out. Boykin could be a key special teams player with his ability on kick and punt coverage, while Olszewski was a former All-Pro return man that the Steelers paid decent money too this offseason.