The Pittsburgh Steelers have finished their 2025 preseason slate, and it was a mostly successful one in the eyes of many. Outside of the minor knee injury to first-round pick Derrick Harmon, they avoided any significant injuries. They won two out of three games and showed plenty of promise in the passing game. Most importantly, they got good looks at all of the guys battling for the final few spots on the 53-man roster.
The vast majority of spots on the 53-man roster have been known for months, but now we will get to find out who will slot into those couple of unknown spots.
For my crack at building out the final roster, I am going with the idea that the team wants to move on from some gambles that just haven't shown enough to stick around. It's an unfortunate reality in the NFL that talent isn't always enough, and that is the case for several players who miss out in this roster prediction.
Pittsburgh Steelers cut bait on several failed draft gambles in latest 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
The top two spots on the depth chart are clear, with Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph the clear No. 1 and No. 2 guys. Skylar Thompson has been phenomenal this preseason for Pittsburgh, but his stellar play is likely going to lead to him landing on another team's roster. Assuming Will Howard is healthy enough to be the emergency third quarterback to start the year, it makes sense to give the rookie that spot.
The Steelers should look to dangle Thompson for a late-round pick, hoping another team with QB questions will want to avoid a battle for him on the waiver wire.
Running back (4): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell, Lew Nichols
The top three guys at running back have been clear since the draft, with the Steelers hoping to form a dynamic duo with Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson following the departure of Najee Harris. Kenneth Gainwell is a solid backup for what Warren brings on third down, with good burst and soft hands as a receiver.
Most roster predictions will stop at those three, but I had to highlight Lew Nichols as a huge winner this preseason. He is the least likely of my choices to make the final roster, but his explosiveness was too obvious to count him out. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry on 11 carries, and he forced five missed tackles according to Pro Football Focus. The coaching staff will have a hard decision to make.
Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Johnson
The receiver room for the Steelers has been the focal point of the entire preseason, and for good reason. Outside of DK Metcalf, the depth chart was completely up in the air heading into the summer. The only three that seemed like roster locks were Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson, but several veterans have stepped up.
Scotty Miller has been dominant this preseason, catching all nine of his targets for 167 yards. Ben Skowronek is perhaps their best special teamer, and he offers plenty of blocking ability. Brandon Johnson's foot injury complicates things, but he started the last two preseason games. If he's healthy, he could make the Steelers keep six receivers to start the season.
The surprise cut here is Robert Woods, but it really isn't a shock if you have watched his play this summer. His career looks to be over after over a decade in the league.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
This group looks set in stone, with the three-headed monster of Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington leading the way. Connor Heyward looks to have kept his job as the hybrid fullback/tight end role, but he likely won't see the field very often on offense with Smith now in the fold.
Offensive line (8): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum
Unfortunately for the Steelers, this group isn't nearly as deep as it was a year ago. The Starters have been known for months, but the backup room is as thin as any across the league. Spencer Anderson is the only guy I have any real faith in, with Dylan Cook and Ryan McCollum being massive question marks.
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Roster cuts could get very interesting for this team. With so little proven depth, adding a veteran who shakes loose, especially at tackle or center, is very much in the cards.
Defensive line (6): Cam Hewyard, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee
Assuming Harmon is going to be back quickly, this group should be one of the stronger units on the roster. The emergence of fellow rookie Yahya Black has been huge for Pittsburgh, and veteran Daniel Ekuale slides into the appropriate slot as a true depth player. The question at this point is who that sixth player will be.
Logan Lee has been a non-factor this summer after a lost rookie season, but Isaiahh Loudermilk has no upside at this point and performed just as poorly this preseason. The Steelers have kept seven interior defenders in the past, but the talent just isn't there this year.
Edge rusher (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
This is the most solidified group on the roster by far. The only real question was whether DeMarvin Leal could force them to question whether keeping five edge rushers was worth it. He made a few splash plays in the final preseason game, but he made several mistakes as well. The former third-round pick's time with the team looks to be over, with just one career sack to show for it.
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson
Linebacker used to be one of the weakest positions on the Steelers roster, but no longer. The duo of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson has an argument for being the most athletic starting linebackers in the league, and the return of Cole Holcomb gives them three legit starting-caliber guys.
Malik Harrison fits in as the run-stuffing backup, and Mark Robinson seems to have fended off rookie Carson Breuner to be the special teamer/reserve.
Cornerback (6): Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, James Pierre, TBD
This is the toughest group to predict, thanks to the strange scenario playing out with Beanie Bishop Jr. He was named by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as someone fighting for a roster spot, but then he did not appear in the Steelers' final preseason game against the Panthers.
With the top four names solidified, and James Pierre seemingly being kept for special teams purposes, it looks like it's down to Bishop Jr. and the oft-injured Cory Trice Jr. For me, however, I think the sixth spot is going to end up being filled by a player on the roster.
If Bishop Jr. is truly out of the picture, Trice Jr. can't be relied upon at this point with his plethora of injuries. The former seventh-round pick has all the tools, but his body continues to betray him. Adding a veteran who gets let go over the next week seems like the right move for a team starting two corners over the age of 30.
Safety (4): DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
No questions here when it comes to the safety room. Undrafted free agent Sebastian Castro has improved his play in each of the Steelers' preseason games, but he looks like a candidate for the practice squad for now. Juan Thornhill and 2024 breakout star DeShon Elliott will be the starters, with Chuck Clark as the primary backup.
Miles Killebrew gets the fourth spot, but he is really just a special teams ace at this point. If an injury were to occur, Castro may get a chance to be on the active roster later this season.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Corliss Waitman, Christian Kuntz
This is where things could get a bit complicated. The punter battle between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman could go either way, but Waitman gets the nod for me in this prediction. His numbers are much better this preseason, and his leg looks stronger than ever. Cutting Johnston would also save the Steelers some money with little dead cap.
Long snapper Christian Kuntz looks to be prepared to play through the chest injury he suffered against the Buccaneers, and Chris Boswell is, of course, the unquestioned kicker. Both Johnston and undrafted rookie kicker Ben Sauls could end up on another team after cuts, however.