Steelers 53-man roster prediction after one grueling week of training camp

We are one week into training camp since the players reported for duty. It has been a week full of news for the Steelers as they have seen different players miss time with injury and some unexpected performances come out of left field. Pittsburgh has plenty of decision time left this preseason, but things are already getting tougher to figure out.

Everything is earned this time of year, and the Steelers will have plenty of tough decisions for their 53-man roster.

Steelers 53-man roster prediction one week into training camp

Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Nothing is changing for the Steelers at the quarterback position. Russell Wilson has been missing time with a calf issue, so that has given snaps elsewhere. Justin Fields has shown some good plays since getting time with the top offensive unit, but turnovers remain a problem. Kyle Allen is not getting enough love as the first week of camp for him has been superb.

Don't expect many changes to come Pittsburgh's way regarding the quarterback position on the 53-man roster barring major injury.

Running back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Sticking with three running backs on the roster here as it makes little sense to keep four right now.

Expect the Steelers to store one or two backs on the practice squad to provide some extra depth to the position. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren remain the stars of the position as Cordarrelle Patterson provides special team snaps as a returner. He has played both receiver and running back throughout his career, so that should help him form a role on offense.

Wide receiver (6): George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Dez Fitzpatrick, Quez Watkins

According to a report, the Steelers may be adding someone to upgrade the receiver position before the regular season commences.

If Pittsburgh pulls off a trade, that could shake up the entire receiving core. As of now, we will focus on the players they currently have. The top four seem fairly obvious not only to make the roster but to provide significant snaps on the starting offense. The Steelers go with someone they know well, Dez Fitzpatrick. They also stick with Quez Watkins as he could provide snaps outside, in the slot, or on special teams.

Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt

Pat Freiermuth is off to a hot start at training camp, and the Steelers should consider extending his contract now.

Another name who is trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster and is having a great start to camp is MyCole Pruitt. If Pittsburgh keeps a fourth tight end, it seems like he has a good shot at earning it. Connor Heyward and Darnell Washington have earned a couple of snaps at full-back, which could develop further as camp pushes on.

Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Dan Moore Jr., Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig, Mason McCormick, Dan Cook

The starting offensive line has been shuffling since the start of training camp.

Spencer Anderson will be a tough decision to make. It likely comes down to him and Dylan Cook for the final spot. With Dan Moore Jr. having little experience on the right side, expect Cook to have the inside track. Mason McCormick has also been trying to get snaps at center, so that could make things more difficult on Anderson's chances.

Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal

Going with six defensive linemen here as the roster was getting tight with numbers.

If the Steelers only keep six bodies in the trenches expect them to keep a couple on the practice squad guys. The starting three are obvious and need no explanation. Dean Lowry's health will be a big factor going forward after he started training camp on the PUP list. Montravius Adams is a quality backup nose tackle who has a ton of experience. DeMarvin Leal has been on fire at the start of training camp and is starting to earn a spot.

Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jeremiah Moon

Everything is set in stone at outside linebacker when it comes to the top three.

Trying to figure out who will be the fourth edge rusher on the Steelers this year is where things could get tricky. Jeremiah Moon seems to be the odds-on favorite to make the 53-man roster for the time being. He has had a decent start to training camp. Right now, his competition hasn't shown a ton of quality play in practices to push him out of that fourth spot.

Inside linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb (IR?), Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson

With Cole Holcomb's future still in question, it might make another roster spot available at linebacker.

If Holcomb's injury rehab extends into the regular season, then it will be great news to bottom-of-the-roster players. In this scenario, Holcomb lands on IR and both Tyler Matakevich and Mark Robinson earn a spot on the team. It would certainly make things easier on those two players if Holcomb missed more time.

Keep an eye on Payton Wilson as he is off to a great start at his first training camp.

Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cam Sutton (suspended), Beanie Bishop, Darius Rush, Josiah Scott, Cory Trice Jr.

Depth at cornerback seems like the only thing up for grabs at Steelers training camp.

Joey Porter Jr. remains the top guy and Donte Jackson is having a good start to the preseason process. Cam Sutton will be suspended for the first eight weeks, and Pittsburgh's response has been to heavily rely on Beanie Bishop at slot cornerback. Both Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr. make the 53-man roster because of their upside on the outside.

If Bishop somehow falls apart for the remainder of training camp, it seems like Josiah Scott might be the next option in the slot.

Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew

Nothing changes here as there is little room for movement at the position unless another safety counts five against the roster after training camp ends.

Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott seem to be forming a quality starting tandem. Damontae Kazee provides quality depth at the position. Miles Killebrew remains one of the best special teams' players in the NFL. Unless someone like Ryan Watts shows up in a big way, it will be hard for the team to keep more than four players at the position.

Specialist (3): Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)

Could the Steelers finally have an elite specialist core on their roster?

Cameron Johnston has been getting rave reviews at training camp through the first week of competition. Chrisitan Kuntz is a quality and reliable guy in the long-snapper position. Chris Boswell has been one of the best kickers in the NFL. He has missed some rather easy kicks at camp thus far, so keep an eye on that not becoming a problem.

Practice squad (16): John Rhys Plumlee (QB), La'Mical Perine (RB), Daijan Edwards (RB), Jack Colletto (FB), Scotty Miller (WR), Marquez Callaway (WR), Rodney Williams (TE), Devery Hamilton (OT), Spencer Anderson (OL), Anderson Hardy (OL), Breiden Fehoko (NT), Logan Lee (DE), Julius Welfschof (EDGE EXEMPT), David Perales (EDGE), Jacoby Windham (LB), Anthony Averett (CB), Ryan Watts (DB)

Technically there are 17 listed on this practice squad, but Julius Welfschof is exempt since he is part of the international program.

Pretty solid group on the practice team overall for the Steelers in this iteration of their 53-man roster projection. Some notable names on this unit include Scotty Miller, Spencer Anderson, Logan Lee, Jacoby Windmon, and both Anthony Averett and Ryan Watts. They keep a lot of quality guys around who could not win their respective position battles.