Two-thirds of the Steelers' three preseason games are completed. They will finish their 2023 preseason schedule against the Atlanta Falcons on the road this Thursday night. Most of those that will be playing will be the ones fighting for the last couple of roster spots available. They still have something left to prove to these coaches.
Even though there might be some gray areas on the current depth chart for Pittsburgh, the final roster is mostly situated. Players have had all of training camp and the two games prior to show what they have to offer. Because of that, there are only a handful of spots remaining. It will be up to these players to make themselves stand out in a positive light.
Everything is looking good for the returning specialists on the roster
Specialist (3): Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Nothing changes here as the returning starters from last season will remain in their roles. They have outperformed their respective challengers this preseason and have won. Out of the three, it seems like Pressley Harvin III could have his spot in question this season. He had a solid camp and seems to be turning a corner right now as the punter.
With that said, he will still have his performances judged weekly and could lose his job if things start to go sideways again. Chris Boswell is the guy who has not given the Steelers many reasons to move into a new direction at kicker. Christian Kuntz had a couple of potential challengers enter the fold at long snapper, but he won and will stay with the club.
Both Quarterback and Running back are obvious for the Steelers
Quarterback (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Another position that is obvious and no one will be surprised by when the Steelers have to hand in their official cuts to the league. Kenny Pickett has gotten plenty of fans excited as the starting offense looked efficient and dangerous during games. If he keeps up that level of play, then he will have a monster breakout year that many are hoping to see from him.
Mitch Trubisky had a nice bounce-back performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason. He will be a backup to Pickett and will be a reliable piece for this team through his depth role. Mason Rudolph is a quality third option, but Pittsburgh might want to investigate some outside options at quarterback for a practice squad spot.
Running back/Fullback (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr.
No, Najee Harris's job as the top running back for this team is not in question right now. He has been given lesser work in preseason action, but that was Mike Tomlin's call as he tries to keep Harris healthy and ready to go for Week 1. Jaylen Warren continues to be the greener grass on the opposite side of the fence for many fans.
He had an explosive run against the Bills and seems to find holes that Harris does not seem to find while he is in the game. He is a great second option behind Harris. Anthony McFarland Jr. has seemingly secured this third spot. He has held that spot for a while and has not seen much competition in either training camp or the games.
Pittsburgh decides to keep numbers at Wide receiver and Tight end
Wide receiver (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
The top three are locked in with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson II. Calvin Austin III has his spot locked in too for this roster and should garner some significant playing time in his first year playing in the NFL. After those four, there are one or two spots open to make this team and a couple of special teamers are the favorites.
Gunner Olszewski is mostly a returner with some skills as a receiver. He has done well during training camp but could show more during this last preseason game. Miles Boykin is a solid talent on special teams and that should land him on the roster. It might come down to keeping either Olszewski or Boykin, but they end up keeping both on this 53-man roster.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward (FB/TE/RB)
This tight end group is one of the best from starting players to depth roles that the Steelers have seen in years. pat Freiermuth should be getting ready for a big season and will remain the top guy at his position. Darnell Washington is starting to come into his own after a slow start to training camp. There might be some question marks beyond that.
Zach Gentry has been a lock to make the final roster this entire time, but Connor Heyward's position flexibility could put Gentry and other jobs in jeopardy. Gentry sticks still as his blocking is still something that the Steelers need. Heyward is going to be all over the field in different roles for this offense as he looks to expand his options.
Look for the Steelers to look for outside options after initial cuts
Offensive line (9): Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Outside option, Mason Cole, Nate Herbig, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor, Outside tackle option
There are a few surprises that shake up the offensive line heading into Week 1 of the regular season. The starting five will remain the same as last year besides Isaac Seumalo joining as the starting left guard along the front. Broderick Jones does not seem ready to start Week 1, which is normal. He needs a couple more weeks to be ready for the starting role.
Kevin Dotson is left off the team as it seems like an inevitable divorce. The club decides to look for an outside option that is focused on being a center, which will allow Nate Herbig to remain as a guard that can play center if needed. This is where things could be interesting for the offensive line. They do not have a quality backup at center.
Herbig could be the answer there, but he has not logged a lot of time at the position throughout his career. Kendrick Green remains a mess in the trenches and has no way of sticking around. Expect an experienced center to get a look if he is released from his team when clubs must chop their rosters down from 90 players down to 53.
Neither Dylan Cook or Le'Raven Clark make the roster and the Steelers decide to find another option that gets cut during initial cuts. Neither have played their way onto the team, but it seems like Pittsburgh would like to have that fourth tackle on the roster if possible. They end up finding a better option available and add them to bolster their depth.
The defensive line will pose a tough roster decision for Pittsburgh
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Breiden Fehoko, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi remain the two starting defensive tackles on defense that will see the bulk of snaps on defense. Keeanu Benton might not win the job at Nose tackle coming out of the preseason, but he should gain that role shortly. Expect him to also gain snaps at defensive tackle as his rookie season goes on.
DeMarvin Leal has shown some quality against the run-in camp and during the first two games. He should get a bigger role especially if Ogunjobi or Heyward misses any time this year. The last couple of spots in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball is where things could change. Will the Steelers keep six or seven defensive linemen?
That is the question and right now it looks like the final spot or two on the roster will come between Breiden Fehoko, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Armon Watts. Fehoko has been dominant as a run stuffer and seems to be locking up his roster spot. That would mean the final spot will probably come between Loudermilk and Adams.
Adams can play both nose and defensive tackle when his number is called upon. Loudermilk has enjoyed the better preseason process when you compare the two. This battle will come down to the wire and there is a situation where both make the team. That is if Pittsburgh decides to keep seven players for this defensive front.
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.
There could be some changeups after the initial 53 man roster is set
Cornerback (5): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre/outside option
Ultimately Cory Trice Jr. would have been the best chance of dethroning someone like James Pierre from the roster, but he got injured early into camp. Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., and Levi Wallace will all have significant roles at cornerback on defense. Chandon Sullivan is an experienced piece at slot corner and will likely be a backup to Elijah Riley to start the season.
Pierre, and Sullivan for that matter, could both be surprise cuts if certain players become available as teams trim their rosters down. If there is an upgrade available, then expect these two to see their names come up on the transaction wire. Pierre has done nothing to impress, so he could very well be replaced by someone outside the organization.
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Elijah Riley
Rounding out the final roster here at safety as Tre Norwood has disappeared the past couple of weeks. Minkah Fitzpatrick will be the starter and both Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee will have significant roles at safety too. Miles Killebrew makes the roster as he continues to be one of the team's best special team players since joining the club.
The last spot will come down between Norwood and Elijah Riley as both provide different things to the team. Riley has shown the ability to play safety and in the slot corner role too. He provides depth at both positions and is willing to play on special teams. Norwood has not been able to progress his game since being drafted by the Steelers and that is what left him off the roster here.