Steelers 53-man roster prediction just ahead of training camp

Position flexibility allows the Steelers to make a shocking decision

Cornerback (5): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Cory Trice Jr.

Patrick Peterson holds all the cards when it comes to his potential at becoming a solid slot cornerback or not. It would make life a lot easier on this defense if he can successfully make that transition. Joey Porter Jr. will likely start on the outside with Levi Wallace being the other guy. That leaves James Pierre as an experienced backup that is a proven special teams player.

Perhaps the most shocking development here is that Chandon Sullivan failed to make the club. In this scenario, Cory Trice rode his momentum from offseason workouts and was too good to let go. Another situation that played out was the safeties and their ability to show that they can effectively play in the slot, which made Sullivan on the outside looking in.

Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Tre Norwood

It would benefit the black and gold greatly if one or a couple of safeties can show that they can play in the slot or at least as a depth piece in the slot. Tre Norwood and Damontae Kazee would be potential options to pull this off. They did in this scenario, and it also allows for another special team player to return with Norwood having experience there.

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal are the starters at safety, even though you would like to see a challenger emerge for Neal's spot. Miles Killebrew sticks around as a savvy veteran special teams player that has been elected captain for this team in the past. Safety could lose a spot in the final 53-man roster to cornerback, but they win in this scenario because of the quality snaps some of them showed in the slot.