The Pittsburgh Steelers have one preseason contest in the books, and in just a few weeks, their 90-man roster will be cut down to just 53 players. These decisions won't come easy, but early preseason standouts and training camp top performers give us a clue as to which direction the Steelers could go on cutdown day.
My latest 53-man roster prediction entering Week 2 of the 2025 preseason includes painfully cutting a promising former draft pick. This isn't a reflection of what I would do; rather, a prediction of the roster choices the team could make ahead of cutdown day.
Pittsburgh Steelers make several painful cuts in latest preseason 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (4): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard
Should we really have the Steelers keeping four quarterbacks after one stellar showing from Skylar Thompson? Perhaps. But this is only a prediction of the initial roster, not how things will look in November or December. Pittsburgh could place rookie QB Will Howard on IR, but that would effectively end his season.
Instead, I predict they will find a way to keep four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster before stashing Howard on IR with a designation to return. In the meantime, they can roll with Thompson as the team's QB3 (and possibly even try to move him for a Day 3 pick swap).
Running back (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
It's hard not to come away impressed by what Lew Nichols did in his first preseason game with the Steelers, but like fellow running back Trey Sermon, he's a long shot to make the roster. Arthur Smith loves his rushing attack, but there's no need to keep more than three running backs when the depth doesn't call for it, and the top three guys are easy to figure out.
Wide receiver (5): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek
The wide receiver position gets quite the shake-up in my latest Steelers 53-man roster prediction. Robert Woods had a quiet training camp and barely made a mark in his first preseason game with Pittsburgh—catching just one pass for four yards despite playing 23 offensive snaps. I have Scotty Miller taking the place of Woods, and Ben Skowronek rounding out the group of five wideouts.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
For whatever reason, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to favor Connor Heyward. If the former Day 3 pick sticks around for another season, he won't carve out much of a role on offense with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington working as a three-headed monster. But with DJ Thomas-Jones waived/injured and JJ Galbreath disappointing in his first preseason action, I have Heyward sticking around as the fourth tight end.
Offensive line (8): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson
The Steelers' starting offensive line has already been sorted out since early in the offseason, but their backups remain up in the air. Spencer Anderson had a solid showing as the starting left guard, filling in for Isaac Seumalo in Pittsburgh's first preseason game. I have Anderson making the team along with backup center Ryan McCollum. I also have the Steelers keeping Calvin Anderson as the swing tackle, meaning Dylan Cook and veteran Andrus Peat miss the final roster.
Defensive line (7): Cam Hewyard, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk
With the Steelers only keeping eight offensive lineman, I have them devoting an additional spot to their interior defensive line. The top three guys—Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Derrick Harmon—are already etched in stone, while Yahya Black should be a roster lock after an outstanding preseason debut. I have Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, and Isaiahh Loudermilk rounding out the depth.
Edge rusher (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
The edge rusher position has already been the easiest to figure out. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig are the top three at the position, while Pittsburgh is high on Jack Sawyer, whom they drafted in the fourth round this year. This leaves DeMarvin Leal as the odd man out. The former third-round pick could get snatched up by another team after roster cuts.
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson
Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson are the Steelers' top two off-ball linebackers in 2025, and it already looks like Cole Holcomb is returning to form after the gruesome knee injury suffered during the 2023 season. Meanwhile, Malik Harrison is guaranteed to make the roster because of the contract he signed this offseason as a free agent. I go back and forth with the fifth and final linebacker spot. This time around, I have Mark Robinson keeping his job over rookie seventh-rounder, Carson Bruener.
Cornerback (6): Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop Jr., James Pierre
This is the one that pains me to say. I've been bullish on Cory Trice Jr. from the time he was drafted, as his talent and traits are undeniable. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't going to roll with a player who's proving once again that he can't stay on the field. I have James Pierre replacing Trice and rounding out the cornerback room in my preseason Steelers 53-man roster prediction.
Safety (4): DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
With veteran Chuck Clark signed, the outlook at safety is becoming clear. I have the Steelers keeping four safeties with Miles Killebrew reprising his role as a special teams ace. With Clark expected to make the roster, I have undrafted rookie Sebastian Castro as the odd man out. The Iowa product could land on the practice squad with a strong preseason showing the rest of the way.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Chris Boswell isn't going anywhere, nor is long snapper Christian Kuntz. While it feels there is strong competition for the punter role between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman, I have Johnson winning out. Perhaps the Steelers could even flip Waitman for a late-round future pick like they did with Brad Wing back in 2015. Waitman has been impressive, but there's certainly no room on the roster for a second punter.