The Steelers preseason is over and now the sole focus is on creating the final 53-man roster. It has been a fight down the wire for some spots. I’m giving my last jab at what I think this team will do once cuts are made and the roster is set.
Let me make this clear, I think this is how the initial roster will take shape after the last round of cuts this week. The Steelers will almost certainly add a player or two from waivers, but I am not going to consider who from the rest of the league could be added. That said, I will note who I think I could see getting cut in favor of a waiver claim option.
Steelers offense
QB (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
The only question here is if the Steelers will take advantage of the new practice squad rule and only keep two quarterbacks. If I had to guess, they stick with three players here and do what they conventionally do. There is no debate as to what three quarterbacks make the team either, and it seems clear that Russell Wilson is the initial starter.
RB (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
The question wasn’t if these three would make it, it was if a fourth or a pure fullback would join them. I like Daijun Edwards entering camp but he failed to pop on tape consistently. La’Mical Perine and Jonathan Ward both flashed at times, but they didn’t make enough of a case to stick on the roster. Instead, it is a battle for one or two practice squad spots.
WR (5): George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Dez Fitzpatrick
There are some more serious questions to answer in the receiver room. While the top three are set and have been so for a few weeks, the rest of the roster is where it gets interesting. It starts with Roman Wilson. The rookie third-round pick has missed most of the offseason with an injury and could end up on IR. A new rule allows for up to two players to be moved to IR without having to be on the roster right before cutdowns. Wilson could be eligible for that.
Assuming Wilson is healthy enough to start the season on the roster, I think Dez Fitzpatrick has earned the final receiver spot. His special teams value is important and he flashed some offensive ability during the preseason. Scotty Miller is another option, and he could stick if Wilson goes to IR, but I think Fitzpatrick has the initial edge.
TE (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
The top three have been set for most of the offseason. Connor Heyward will likely see additional work as a fullback on plays, but the Steelers should continue to use him as a tight end as well. He could be in for a big season. MyCole Pruitt did enough to warrant a spot as well. Rodney Williams can start on IR.
OL (10): Dan Moore, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum
Going heavy along the offensive line, but I would fully expect this group to shift. Keeping ten is out of the ordinary, and if anyone were to be cut right now it would probably be Dylan Cook. Spencer Anderson has had the better off-season and can play right tackle in a pinch if needed.
Ryan McCollum cracks the initial roster as a backup center, but I would imagine the Steelers will be looking for cuts to fill that backup spot. McCollum is fine enough if needed in a pinch, but he has failed to impress in his multiple offseason stints with the team. If a better option presents itself, McCollum could easily be shifted off the roster.
Steelers defense
DL (7): Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Going heavy along the defensive line as well, but that is more due to the versatility of DeMarvin Leal. He has easily earned a roster spot but has been serving as a hybrid edge rusher and sub-package defensive lineman. He can add depth to both spots for now. Isaiahh Loudermilk has had a strong preseason and is worth rostering for additional depth.
EDGE (3): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig
While Kyron Johnson appears to have been the better player over Jerimiah Moon, neither has been so good to lock up a roster spot ahead of cutdown day. With Leal showing out as a hybrid edge defender, I think you can go only three deep here. Given the immense talent among the trio of edge rushers here and Leal looking good, I’m fine saving the roster spot.
LB (5): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson
The top three have been set since the beginning of the offseason, and all should figure on seeing extensive defensive snaps. With Cole Holcomb starting the year on PUP, it opened the door for the rest of the significant roster to make the team. I was skeptical of Mark Robinson for a while, but he has looked the part on defense and special teams to earn a spot.
CB (6): Joey Porter, Donte Jackson, Cory Trice, Beanie Bishop, Thomas Graham, Darius Rush
I fully expect the most turnover to come at the cornerback position. I would only say that both Joey Porter and Donte Jackson are locks right now, although Cory Trice is nearly there as well. Neither Beanie Bishop nor Thomas Graham impressed in the slot. I could see the team keeping both initially and looking over the recently cut players around the league for some help there. The same goes for the outside cornerback, as Darius Rush could certainly be improved upon.
S (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliot, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killibrew
The question here is less about who will make it and more about how many will make it. The top four are set and all have core roles to play. Ryan Watts flashed at times as a converted cornerback to safety, but he isn’t quite there yet. I think he could use a season on the practice squad to sharpen his ability.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
All chalk here, with no risk of change. There are a lot of players still in question both on and off this list, but this seems like a safe bet for the initial roster. Again, the team will likely add a few players at or after cutdowns, but these 53 have earned their shot based on the rest of the roster.