The Steelers are almost to their summer break before they start training camp in July, and while there is still a lot of time between now and final roster cuts, many have begun wondering just who is safe and who isn’t. While the top of the roster is set in stone, the bottom third of the roster could look very different after cutdowns.
I wanted to take the time to address some shocking cuts that the Steelers could feasibly make. These names aren’t your typical bottom-of-the-roster fodder. They all have either played key roles for the team or are highly touted that could miss out on the team this season. Here are my five Steelers who could be the biggest surprise cuts for the team.
Steelers may move on from Chris Boswell
On the surface, Chris Boswell seems firmly entrenched as the Steelers kicker given his track record with the team. He is on his second extension with the team and will go down as one of the better kickers for this franchise. All good things come to an end, and Boswell isn’t a sure name to make this roster at this point.
He is coming off a miserable season marred with injury last year. While the team could look past this, they also were actively looking at kickers in the pre-draft process. One such name was B.T. Potter, who ultimately joined the team as an undrafted free agent.
While I’m not overly high on Potter, I do think this team could be looking for some other kicker options during training camp. If Boswell continues to falter, he may force their hand. Add in a potential cap savings of roughly 2.7 million if he were to be let go during final cutdowns, and Boswell is in no way a lock to make this team.
Steelers could be fed up with Kevin Dotson
It was no secret that the Steelers were preparing to move on from Kevin Dotson this offseason. The former fourth-round pick was a starter over the past two seasons, but he has struggled more often than not and was inconsistent when on the field. The team has spent a lot of money to rebuild the interior of this line, and it will cost Dotson his starting role this season.
Because of his past starts, Dotson is actually due more money than a typical fourth-round pick is due. That makes it hard to justify keeping him on the roster as a backup when he is owed that additional money. More than likely, the Steelers will try and trade Dotson, but there is no guarantee that a deal materializes.
While keeping him as an overpriced backup is already less than ideal, his stance since the team opened its offseason programming has been lackluster. In particular, his interviews have made it seem like he has no desire to compete and is instead just hoping to find a new team to play for.
Had his attitude been better, he wouldn’t be locked into being off the roster. If a trade didn’t materialize, he could remain as expensive depth. Given his mediocre personality, since practices have opened, I can’t see him sticking around. Ideally, he gets traded, but if nothing presents itself, he may force his way off the roster as a cut after training camp.
The Steelers have no attachment to Mason Rudolph
When the Steelers announced that they were resigning veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph, it appeared as though the team had locked up the three quarterbacks that they would carry through the season. While Rudolph is a lackluster starting option, he is a fine backup and a great third option for this offense.
Then the contract details came out, and Rudolph shocking got the least amount of money possible for a player of his status. He signed a veteran minimum deal with no signing bonus. The team even had the vested veteran benefit they could have used on him (the deal they used on Terrell Edmunds last year), but they opted to give him a minuscule deal with no money guaranteed.
This tells me two things. One is that Rudolph likely didn’t have any real market despite what he has said. This bare minimum deal to be a third option isn’t him settling for his best offer, it was likely his only offer. It also tells me that the Steelers have no commitment to Rudolph on their roster.
As stated, Rudolph is a great third quarterback to have, and unless a better opportunity arises, he will be the third man on this depth chart. That said, if a surprise name becomes available, cutting Rudolph won’t be hard. This could be a name on another roster that they want to try out or it could even be Tanner Morgan if he impresses everyone.
Again, Rudolph is a safer name on this list, but his roster spot is far from a lock. The team doesn’t lose anything by moving on from him, and the league is clearly not enamored with him either. If a surprise name becomes available, don’t be surprised to see the Steelers cut Rudolph.
Steelers won’t promise a spot to Calvin Austin
A name that is found on just about everyone’s final roster prediction, Calvin Austin is treated like a core veteran for this team. Even during the offseason, when this team lacked a legitimate name to be the starting slot receiver, fans were quick to throw out Austin’s name as a fix-all solution to anyone claiming that receiver was a need for this team.
While Austin was a fun college prospect, he has proven nothing so far in the pros. While his early perception at training camp last season was positive, he also barely practiced before suffering a foot injury. That injury ultimately cost him his entire rookie season.
Despite showing us nothing in year one, people act like his roster spot is set in stone. While the receiver room is relatively shallow, Austin still has to earn his role with the team. For starters, he needs to stay healthy, as another injury-muddled offseason will likely keep him limited as an offensive piece.
On top of this, his play has to match the hype. Sure, Austin looks great in shells, but a small receiver with speed should look great right now. Does Austin still make an impact once the team gets more physical? How about when the preseason begins for this team and he is facing actual competition?
If Austin shows up and provides any sort of a splash, he is very likely safe on this roster. That said, if the injuries continue or his play is lackluster, he isn’t locked into a roster spot yet. He is a second-year former-fourth round pick. He needs to prove his worth just like anyone else trying to make the roster.
Will the Steelers need Levi Wallace?
The Steelers have a very new cornerback room heading into the season, and while more change isn’t a guarantee, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the team cut Levi Wallace after the preseason. This isn’t any sort of an inditement to Wallace as a player, as he was serviceable as a starter last year even if his best fit seems to be as a quality second or third option for a team.
Patrick Peterson is a lock to start, and while Wallace will begin the offseason as the second option, one has to think that Joey Porter will likely get a shot there sooner than later. With Peterson likely working in the slot, that still makes Wallace a valuable third cornerback that will be needed for this defense.
There are two names that could change that plan though. James Pierre played well enough down the stretch, and while Wallace is the more consistent option, another year with the Steelers could be enough for Pierre to jump him. Add in the special teams value that Pierre has and he has more value than just defensive work for this team.
Cory Trice was only a seventh-round pick, but he has the tape of a better prospect than that. While it is early, he has already made some plays in practice and is getting recognized for his solid effort. He too could jump Wallace if this continues.
What becomes the issue with Wallace is that if he becomes the fourth cornerback, he becomes overpaid and lacks the special teams’ ability to warrant a roster spot. Pierre and Trice have a lot to prove, but if either can take Wallace’s spot, he could be cut at the end of training camp.
The Steelers roster will have a lot of turnover in the offseason, and while the names on this list seem like locks, they could easily be surprise cuts. It will likely take some other events happening, but none of these names are safe for the Steelers as of now.