July is here, and in just a matter of weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be taking the field for training camp for what will prove to include some heated roster battles. While all eyes will be on the quarterback position, the team's toughest battle may come on the interior defensive line.
We know that players like Cameron Heyward and Derrick Harmon are guaranteed to make the team, barring a catastrophic injury before roster cutdowns. However, there is a cluster of talented depth options—both old and young—who will be fighting to keep their roster dreams alive this summer.
The Steelers typically keep seven to eight interior defensive lineman on their initial 53-man roster (and sometimes drop down to seven before Week 1). This includes 3-4 defensive ends and nose tackles in their odd base defense, as well as defensive tackles who can play in subpackage defense.
As I continue my roster prediction series leading up to Steelers training camp, I predict the chances of each defensive lineman making the final roster... and one former draft pick will be stretched to the limit this summer.
Early projected chances of each Pittsburgh Steelers interior defensive lineman making the 53-man roster
Cameron Heyward: 100%
No need to spend much time here. Now 37 years old, Cam Heyward is still an ageless wonder who is coming off another excellent season. It's possible this could be his last year in the league, so we're going to try to enjoy every moment while it lasts. The only question is how much new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham may look to limit Heyward's snap count in his old age in 2026.
Derrick Harmon: 100%
Harmon, unfortunately, dealt with a pair of MCL sprains during his rookie season in 2025, but the difference was notable when he was on the field. The Steelers' 2025 first-round pick has a chance to lead all of Pittsburgh's interior defenders in defensive snaps played this season... but that's assuming he can stay healthy.
Keeanu Benton: 100%
The Steelers are looking for ways to get Keeanu Benton locked up on a long-term contract extension, but the 2023 second-round pick could bet on himself in a contract year. Benton has been a nose tackle in his first three seasons in Pittsburgh, but Graham could allow him to shift to a role that caters more to his skill set.
Sebastian Joseph-Day: 100%
Good defensive line depth is hard to come by in the NFL, which makes it even harder to understand how the Steelers were able to snag Sebastian Joseph-Day on a two-year, $11 million deal in free agency. Joseph-Day is unlikely to start in Pittsburgh, but he could be used heavily in the defensive rotation, thanks to his experience, versatility, and blend of traits. He's a roster lock.
Yahya Black: 99%
If we can't confidently say that Yahya Black is a guaranteed roster lock, he's as close as they come to being one. Despite his status as a fifth-round draft choice in 2025, Black offers a blend of size, mass, and length unlike any other defender on the team.
Black struggled at times during his rookie season, but big defensive linemen typically get stronger as their careers go on, and there would be no reason for the Steelers to give up on him after one season. He'll be part of the DL rotation in Year 2. Meanwhile, Graham may be willing to adjust his role in 2026 to one that better fits his skill set.
Esezi Otomewo: 65%
To the surprise of some, it was Esezi Otomewo who cracked the 53-man roster and earned one of the final D-line spots last year. The veteran may have the inside track to do so again in 2026. With 21 games played and 352 defensive snaps under his belt, Otomewo could once again earn a small rotational role, thanks to his length, movement skills, and overall athletic traits.
Dean Lowry: 40%
Dean Lowry is a long-time NFL starter who has logged over 4,100 career defensive snaps, but the veteran may be on the outside looking in. Lowry was placed on season-ending IR last August, which effectively ended his 2025 season before it began. Now 32, Lowry has an uphill battle against younger, healthier defensive linemen who will be scrapping and clawing to make the team.
Gabriel Rubio: 40%
Not every draft pick is gifted a free path to the Steelers' roster, and Gabriel Rubio may prove this is the case. Omar Khan spent a sixth-round pick on the big Notre Dame defensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Rubio's limited skill set—combined with the stiff competition at the position—could force the run-defending DT to begin his NFL career on the practice squad.
Logan Lee: 35%
Logan Lee is entering his third NFL season, but has just 47 defensive snaps and 25 special teams snaps under his belt... and this could prove to be his last chance in Pittsburgh. Lee, unfortunately, missed his entire rookie season in 2024 after suffering a calf injury that landed him on Injured Reserve.
After suiting up for just seven games last year, Lee needs a strong summer to prove he's worthy of taking up one of the final roster spots on the D-line. Lee has a niche role to lean on as a backup longsnapper, but that's only going to get him so far if he doesn't impress this summer.
Kevin Jobity Jr.: 5%
In the NFL, a player's opportunity is largely tied to the resources invested in them. Had Kevin Jobity Jr. been Pittsburgh's sixth-round pick and Gabe Rubio gone undrafted, their odds of making the roster may even be reversed at this point. But as it stands, Jobity is a long shot who will require a spectacular training camp and preseason performance to stick around on the initial roster.
Anthony Goodlow, Kyler Baugh: 1%
We never want to say that a player has zero chance of making the team before ever taking their first snap at Steelers training camp, but considering the depth and competition, it would be a miracle if either Anthony Goodlow or Kyler Baugh can earn a roster spot. There simply won't be enough reps this summer to go around, and neither player is guaranteed to make it through the preseason without getting cut.
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