With the NFL Draft now behind them, the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome 10 new rookies into the fold. This draft class is expected to generate plenty of competition and intrigue between now and the deadline to set the 53-man roster, just before the regular season begins. While draft picks typically enter preseason activities with confidence about their roster chances, nothing is guaranteed.
All signs continue to point toward Aaron Rodgers returning as the starting quarterback next season, which could leave Pittsburgh with an unconventional configuration at the position.
How things unfold during training camp will ultimately determine the outcome, but the team could opt to carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. The Steelers might also make some bold decisions, including parting ways with several draft picks if their performance fails to meet expectations.
Pitttsburgh Steelers post-draft 53-man roster prediction creates shocking storylines
Quarterback (4): Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar
Rodgers is expected to return before mandatory minicamp begins, but the quarterbacks behind him will be worth watching closely. It would be a bold move for the Steelers to carry only Will Howard and Drew Allar, as neither has made an NFL start.
While Mason Rudolph is not an elite option, his level of experience could make him valuable enough to justify keeping an extra quarterback on the roster.
Running back (3): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson
This group appears largely set, but Kaleb Johnson will still need to earn his spot on the roster despite being a third‑round pick just a year ago. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle should form a reliable tandem. Eli Heidenreich stands out as the wild card in this situation. His versatility could put pressure on Johnson, especially if Heidenreich performs well as a running back.
Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Ben Skowronek, Eli Heidenreich
Heidenreich earns a spot on the 53‑man roster as a receiver, but his versatility is the key factor. Compared to where the team stood at this point last year, this group is significantly improved. Roman Wilson is notably absent from the list, and for good reason. Since being selected in the third round of the 2024 draft, he has yet to establish himself at the NFL level.
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Riley Nowakowski
Do not be surprised if the Steelers add a veteran tight end to this group before training camp. Riley Nowakowski is a hybrid player capable of lining up at both fullback and tight end, which could allow the team to enter the season with only three players at the position on the roster. Unless an unexpected standout emerges, these three are the most likely candidates to make the team.
Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Gennings Dunker, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Max Iheanachor, Brock Hoffman, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook
Determining which players line up at each position may prove to be the most challenging decision.
Another key factor will be whether Broderick Jones is fully recovered from his injury by the start of the season, as his availability would be significant. Beyond the starters and their two high-round draft picks, the Steelers boast a deep and capable group. All nine players have some level of starting experience, and most offer the flexibility to step into multiple positions if needed.
Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee
Another rookie fails to make the cut, as sixth‑round pick Gabriel Rubio does not earn a roster spot.
Carrying seven defensive linemen, the Steelers field a strong group overall. The team appears interested in eventually adding another veteran to the mix. Logan Lee secures the final spot on the 53‑man roster, while Esezi Otomewo flashed potential in stretches last season. Pittsburgh will face intriguing decisions along the defensive front as they sort through the bottom of the depth chart.
EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Some speculated that the Steelers might trade Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig leading up to the draft, but neither move materialized. Barring injuries, this should be one of the team’s deepest position groups heading into the season. T.J. Watt will need to rebound from a down year to return to his usual standard of play. The rest of the unit should continue to perform at a high level.
Inside linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
It appeared likely that the Steelers would target an inside linebacker early in the draft, but that move never happened.
While the team could still explore adding a veteran through free agency, the current outlook suggests a return of the same inside linebacker group from last season. That unit showed clear flaws throughout the 2025 campaign, and unless several players exceed expectations, it could be another area of concern this year.
Cornerback (5): Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Daylen Everette, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols
Much like the wide receiver group, the Steelers enter the preseason with an impressive number of quality cornerbacks. Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean headline the unit, while Daylen Everette, Asante Samuel Jr., and Brandin Echols provide strong depth behind them. While there are still roles to be determined within the group, most of these players appear to be well-positioned to earn spots.
Safety (4): DeShon Elliott, Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Castro
Jalen Ramsey is expected to open the preseason as the starting slot cornerback, though his versatility allows him to move around the secondary. DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker should handle the majority of the starting snaps at the safety positions. Robert Spears‑Jennings misses out on a roster spot, as Sebastian Castro offers greater positional versatility and prior NFL experience.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
There are no surprises among the Steelers’ specialists in this 53‑man roster projection.
Pittsburgh is expected to bring in another punter before training camp, as it seems only a matter of time before Cameron Johnston’s position is challenged. It would be surprising if the team did not make that move. At this point, punter appears to be the only specialist role with a roster spot that could realistically be contested this season.
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