Steelers 53-man roster prediction heading into Week 3 of the preseason
- Return specialists are looking good
- Steelers stock up on wide receivers and tight ends
- Expect Steelers to look outside for certain positions after roster cuts
It will be more difficult dividing snaps rather than deciding who makes the team
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
If the fans of the Steelers enter the regular season with a lot of excitement for a certain position, it must be at outside linebacker. T.J. Watt is back and should revert to his All-pro level that he displayed last year before his injury. If he can stay healthy, both he and Alex Highsmith will be one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
Markus Golden had a good game against the Bills this past weekend and should continue that. Nick Herbig has been the star of the preseason thus far for Pittsburgh. He was always going to make the 53-man roster, but he is playing himself into a bigger role. Expect him to take over the third outside linebacker role from Golden if he keeps up his current play.
Inside linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson, Tanner Muse
Cole Holcomb is going to be the three-down linebacker for the Steelers' defense to at least start the season. It is possible that someone behind him gets a crack at it if Holcomb is unable to play quality snaps in that spot. Elandon Roberts is going to be a quality thumper against the run in those certain situations and he should be a quality player there.
Kwon Alexander is Holcomb's likeliest challenger for his three-down role, but it will take a lot to happen for him to end up there. Mark Robinson will get a chunk of snaps against the run as he still needs to develop as a defender against the pass. Tanner Muse wins the last spot on the roster at linebacker as he displays quality snaps on special teams and had a good game against the Bills.