The Steelers have only been at training camp for a couple of days now as they try to adjust to their new surroundings. It is a trip that will make or break some professional playing careers in this league for some of the players fighting for a roster spot. They will do everything in their power to try and win over the coaching staff that they work with.
Many will start to wonder what the final construction of the 53-man roster will look like when final cuts run through. It will mostly contain those currently on the roster but don't be surprised if the club looks at some outside options to upgrade a couple of weak spots on the team. Training camp and the pre-season will be the guide for the final decisions on who makes this roster and those that come up short.
The Steelers keep those that they know despite some competition at specialist positions
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Keep a close eye on the specialists during the practices up at Saint Vincent College. They are not going to overwhelm people with excitement, but some interesting competitions are occurring at a few spots. Chris Boswell's spot on the roster seems secure already unless he completely falls off a cliff during practices.
Pressley Harvin III has gotten constantly bashed by fans and that has led to Braden Mann being brought in to compete with him. Harvin will have every opportunity to win his job back, but Mann has been better at punting the ball throughout his career. Christian Kuntz seems like his job will also be safe unless his competition, Rex Sunahara puts on quite the performance.
Nothing earth shattering at these positions but there is competition at running back
Quarterback (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Quarterback is a position that should not be seeing much change from the end of last season. They were able to have a strong group on their team that showed experience and depth as Kenny Pickett slowly gained the starting role. It is his spot now and that will not change unless some kind of injury occurs, which did happen a few times last season.
Mitch Trubisky remains a solid backup option that can give you a couple of starts if you need him to. He will keep you afloat if Pickett cannot go on gameday for one reason or another. Mason Rudolph surprisingly returned this past offseason after getting little suitors in free agency. He is an experienced third option.
Running back/fullback (4): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr., Connor Heyward
Najee Harris is the full-time starter, but there will be an underlying battle at camp for snaps in camp. Jaylen Warren truly came out of nowhere around this time last year and should warrant a bigger role in year two. Both he and Harris will compete for divided snaps this upcoming season, but Harris will remain as the bulk carrier.
Anthony McFarland Jr. will have to fend off competition for the third spot on this roster, and it will be a tough challenge. Alfonzo Graham is a name that could push for that spot and give McFarland's hopes a dash of reality. Connor Heyward will be doing a bunch of different jobs for this club, but he will be the primary fullback for this upcoming campaign.
Balance is the name of the game with keeping weapons on offense in Pittsburgh
Wide receiver (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski
There are different spots at receiver that are up for grabs and play on special teams could be the determining factor. The top three of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson seem to be set for now. It is possible that another player like Calvin Austin III could gain some snaps from Robinson in the slot.
Miles Boykin was a nice player to re-sign in free agency so that he can come back to provide depth and quality snaps on special teams. Hakeem Butler is also on the roster and should make some noise in training camp. He could even push for a roster spot when it is all said and done. Butler would likely push Boykin for his spot on the team.
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Darnell Washington
Again, there seems to be no competition in the tight end room when it comes to who will make the final 53-man roster. The only thing that will be brought into question is the depth placement at the position. Pat Freiermuth is becoming a top tight end in the NFL, and that growth should continue into this season as he hopes to gain traction in contract negotiations.
Zach Gentry returns as a solid blocking option at tight end and will likely have the bulk of the backup snaps to start the season. Darnell Washington is one of the many rookies that will likely gain snaps on offense as the season progresses. He has a lot of good tools to work with, but he needs to still earn his playing time for the Steelers.
The Steelers make a few shocking moves on the offensive line
Offensive line (9): Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, Mason Cole, Veteran backup center, Kendrick Green, Chuks Okorafor, Le'Raven Clark
It has been announced that Dan Moore Jr. will get the start at left tackle to open training camp. Broderick Jones will have to earn his way onto the field and overtake Moore as the starter on the left side. It will be a battle that many fans will be invested in. Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels will be the two starting guards along the offensive line.
Another interesting tidbit coming out of camp recently is that Seumalo and Daniels could be backup options at center if no one else emerges. Chuks Okorafor rounds out the starting bunch at right tackle, but his spot could come into question if Moore cannot hold off Jones. That would be a great theatre to watch play out.
Battles for the remaining openings on the roster for offensive linemen will come in the trenches. Center seems to be thin and the news about Seumalo or Daniels potentially becoming the primary backups is concerning. It seems like a veteran backup could be the best course of action for the Steelers after each team trims their roster from 90 to 53.
Nate Herbig is going to make the club as the primary backup at guard and Le'Raven Clark adds some extra depth at tackle. Perhaps the biggest surprise would be Kendrick Green doing enough for coaches to keep him around for another year. He makes the team over Kevin Dotson as he seems to be unhappy in Pittsburgh.
Adding some new blood in the defensive trenches wins out for Pittsburgh
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Breiden Fehoko, Armon Watts
We have gotten to another position that has their two top dogs already in place as the pre-season begins. Cam Heyward is getting older, but he has not shown a sign of that aging yet. Larry Ogunjobi is the other returning starter who should be able to build off of last season's performance with his new bill of health.
Nose tackle seems like it will be Keeanu Benton's role to lose no matter where he starts off on the initial depth chart that Mike Tomlin will release. He should be a good choice for potential camp phenom. DeMarvin Leal comes back to the team and will likely see time both in the trenches and as an outside linebacker in some instances.
The real competition will come behind those four listed above and their positioning on the depth chart. Breiden Fehoko makes the team in this instance as a depth nose tackle that can help stall the run. He beats out Montravius Adams in this case as Khan continues to try and add some new juice to this club that has been working on that all offseason.
Armon Watts is able to fend off his competition and get past the likes of Adams and Isaiahh Loudermilk. Don't count out Loudermilk when it comes to his potential of making this roster as he has reached a point where it's sink or swim. Watts has shown position flexibility in the past and that is what got him on the roster over Adams.
The Steelers end up keeping nine linebackers on their roster despite concerns
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
Both starters are set here as well, and both should be primed for great seasons ahead. T.J. Watt is healthy again and should have another top-tier year if he can keep that health in check, which has always been his issue. Alex Highsmith is coming off his contract extension that is still drying from the fresh ink that was signed less than a week ago.
Markus Golden is a reliable veteran edge rusher that has seen highly productive years in the past. He is older, but he is much more reliable of a depth piece than what was on the roster last year. Nick Herbig is starting off camp with the second team, which is good news for him. That is bad news for any other outside linebacker trying to make the team.
Inside linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Tanner Muse, Mark Robinson, Nick Kwiatkoski
Quantity over quality as the Steelers seem to refuse to find an answer at middle linebacker. It is a totally new group at the position for Pittsburgh other than Mark Robinson returning. The Steelers must be looking at exterior options as the pre-season pushes further. Hoping that someone magically becomes available over time is not the safest course of action.
Robinson might make some noise this camp and that could put Elandon Robert's starting spot in jeopardy. Keep an eye on Tanner Muse on cover downs and his ability to play on special teams too. Cole Holcomb is going to be the top guy and Nick Kwiatkoski could see some playing time if he has a solid training camp.
Cornerbacks stay light on personnel and safety finds an emerging player
Cornerback (5): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan
It seems like coaches will be dipping Patrick Peterson's toes in the water of slot corner to start. He will likely see an expanded role there to see if he can be a quality answer there. Peterson, Levi Wallace, and Joey Porter Jr. will have their chances to shake out the starting roles on defense. Those three should be reliable guys at cornerback.
James Pierre sticks around as a special teamer that can play at corner if someone gets hurt. Ideally, he won't have to play at his position, but his play on special teams is too good to pass on right now. Chandon Sullivan does stick around with the number of snaps that he has played in the slot throughout his career. Don't be shocked if he gets beaten out this pre-season. but it will be tough.
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Elijah Riley
All signs point to the two starting safeties being Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal when the regular season starts. Neal could lose his job to Damontae Kazee, but even then, it could be a juggling act between the two. Either way, Neal and Kazee will have significant roles on defense. Miles Killebrew also sticks around as his special team’s prowess and leadership are too hard to overlook.
Elijah Riley is someone that could carve out a bigger role for himself on this team than many expect. He beats out Tre Norwood in this case because he has shown the ability to be flexible when it comes to his position. Riley will need to show quality special teams snaps and good ability in the slot if he wants the chance to make this prediction true.