Steelers 53-man roster prediction heading into preseason game vs Bills
The Steelers need to figure out what they are doing at linebacker
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
Both starters here are straight forward as both should be one of the top pass rushing duos as long as they stay healthy. If T.J. Watt can stay on the field this season, then the black and gold should win a good chunk of games. The depth behind them has some quality and that could leave some players off the team once cuts come around.
Markus Golden is an experienced veteran that should fill in that third outside linebacker role nicely. Nick Herbig is having a monster training camp and preseason thus far. He could wind up taking snaps from Golden if he keeps on this current trajectory. He has been a relentless pass rusher and that will earn him snaps on defense.
Inside linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Kwon Alexander, Tanner Muse
What will the team end up doing to solve their issues at inside linebacker? The jury is still out on that for now, but their plan seems to be going in a certain direction. Cole Holcomb will be the three-down linebacker with a culmination of Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, and Mark Robinson rotating in. That should be an upgrade over last season, but nothing groundbreaking.
The last spot at linebacker to make the roster seems to be between Tanner Muse and Nick Kwiatkoski. Muse has more coverage ability and is a quality player on special teams throughout his career. Kwiatkoski misses the cut here, but he has shown better play at the linebacker position throughout the preseason thus far.