Week 1 of the regular season is just around the corner, and the 53-man roster is set in place for now. Don't rule out the Pittsburgh Steelers making several roster additions and subtractions throughout the upcoming campaign. With injuries and players potentially regressing since the preseason, the Steelers could be on the lookout for some potential replacements.
Some jobs are safer than others on the roster.
If a player adds significant snaps on special teams and can play either on offense or defense, that makes their roster spot less expendable. It might not be a troublesome time for some of these Pittsburgh employees, but things could change in a hurry. A free agent addition or a splash on the trade market would result in roster transactions.
Pittsburgh Steelers could make roster shakeup depending on how the season goes
Scotty Miller, WR
No one had a stronger preseason for the Steelers than Scotty Miller. The veteran receiver is intelligent and understands how to remain relevant. Although the Steelers made efforts to move on from him, he earned his roster spot. Not only did he make the team over other candidates, but Pittsburgh’s top decision-makers have decided to move forward with the players they have.
After countless trade rumors and some free agent options available, the Steelers seem prepared to roll with their current group at the position. That could always change in a hurry, and if it does, Miller's roster spot isn't safe. He doesn't provide much on special teams, and his opportunities as a receiver are not expected to be high. He could be off the team if they add someone this season.
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Chuck Clark, S
After becoming a surprising roster cut, Chuck Clark was quickly re-signed to the team.
He didn't do anything terrific during the preseason, and you'd like better options to replace Minkah Fitzpatrick than Juan Thornhill and Clark. Both replacement options have starting experience, but neither is prone to turnovers. Then again, neither was Fitzpatrick during his last two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Clark's roster spot is fairly safe heading into the campaign, but that could change in a hurry. If he gets shoved into a starting role and plays poorly, he could be on his way out of town. He was brought onto the team to provide stability to the position. If the safety spot shows early signs of weakness and an outside option is brought onto the roster, it could be disastrous for Clark.
Max Scharping, OL
He failed to make the team's initial 53-man roster, but Max Scharping will be with the team entering Week 1 of the regular season. His roster spot isn't secure, as the depth offensive lineman barely squeaked by. He showed promise with his versatility, playing both center and guard. Instability along the interior of the offensive line forced Pittsburgh to retain extra depth in the trenches.
Scharping isn't anything special upfront, but he provides experience and flexibility. The Steelers would love better quality behind their starting five, but that isn't realistic anymore. If they must find a roster spot to bring someone else aboard, letting Scharping go would make sense. He would appear to be the odd man out as Pittsburgh hopes their depth in the trenches doesn't get tested.
Esezi Otomewo, DE
The defensive line is one of the largest position groups on the Steelers' roster. They went with eight players in the trenches to start out the year. That is a lot of bodies at one position, and it would make sense for one of the depth defensive linemen to get cut if a roster spot is needed. Esezi Otomewo was a surprise player who made the team out of the preseason process.
He showed flashes throughout training camp and the preseason, but others seemed to outshine him. Otomewo has a lot of potential, but he might be another version of DeMarvin Leal, whom the Steelers can't move past. The veteran defensive end might've shocked a lot of people by making the 53-man roster, but if they need a spot to open up, he could be shown the door.