It is not always easy to try and predict a final 53-man roster for an NFL club, especially when they haven't even gotten to training camp yet. They are still about three weeks away until players report to camp for the Steelers. There is a lot of work and relaxation that is done by the players during this portion of the very start of the pre-season process.
There are a couple of different starting spots and depth positions up for grabs when training camp opens. The Steelers will have a lot of work to do before they even think about the final cut-down day where they will have to trim their roster from 90 players to 53. A lot of tough weeks await the players on this roster, and it should be an interesting month of news from Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh sticks with what they know with their specialists
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kutz (LS)
Just like most articles that are predicting the outcome of the specialists on this roster, the jobs stay the same as last season. Chris Boswell has been great throughout his career, and he won't be dethroned by an undrafted free agent. Hopefully, with a clean bill of health, things will return to form for the former Pro Bowler.
Pressley Harvin III seems like the most likely to lose his job out of camp but reports claim that he will likely retain his spot. Braden Mann is on the roster and should give him competition, but Harvin sticks around on this prediction scenario. Christian Kuntz also comes back as the starting long snapper. He does have competition in camp, but the Steelers stick with who they know here.
Steelers make a change to round out their running back room on the roster
Quarterbacks (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Mostly self-explanatory here with the quarterback room unless something major causes a shift. Kenny Pickett is the starter for this club and will have plenty of eyes on him in training camp as many think he can take a step forward in year two. Pickett should be able to show some progress throughout camp as he hopefully shows a solid starter throughout the preseason.
Again, nothing will change with this returning room at quarterback, unless someone demands a trade. That did not happen last year and that will not happen again this time around either. Mitch Trubisky is a reliable veteran backup that can keep you in games if Pickett goes down. Mason Rudolph might be one of the most experienced third-stringers in the NFL.
Running backs/fullback (4): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Alfonzo Graham, Connor Heyward
Not too much of a changeup at running back besides the third player that made this roster. Najee Harris is the bell cow for this group and showed good progress last year after a slow start. Jaylen Warren is a good second option that can start in case Harris were to get injured. They are a good one-two punch on the ground.
Alfonzo Graham rounds out the group here as he was able to continue his momentum throughout minicamp and beyond to get to this point. He is an undrafted guy that many are not considering enough as the pre-season gets closer. Connor Heyward is listed as a fullback, but he will likely line up all over the offense in his second year with the Steelers.
A couple veterans hold onto their roster spots on the final 53-man roster
Wide receivers (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski
The top three here are obvious with Diontae Johnson likely to be the main target coming out of camp. George Pickens is expected to have a big year and will hopefully supplant Johnson as the top receiver as the season pushes along. Allen Robinson will likely get looks all over the field, which includes in the slot and on the outside as well.
Rounding out this group starts with Calvin Austin III as he should be used as a runner, in the slot, and as a returner on special teams. Miles Boykin comes back to beat out Hakeem Butler with his ability as a gunner on special teams. One of the biggest surprises in this 53-man roster prediction is Gunner Olszewski sticking around as he can play receiver and has a good history as a returner before joining the Steelers.
Tight ends (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Darnell Washington
Perhaps one of the most predictable positions on this upcoming roster will be at tight end. Pat Freiermuth is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, when he is healthy, The biggest issue with him will always be his ability to stay on the field. Zach Gentry is back and will likely hold the second spot on the depth chart to start the year.
Darnell Washington is a great third tight end on a depth chart, and he will likely grow his role as his rookie campaign pushes on. Heyward is the only one that is somewhat of a question mark after playing the position last year. He will likely be a utility player that plays all over the offense, including snaps at tight end.
Changes along the offensive trenches might still need some upgrades
Offensive line (9): Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor, Broderick Jones, Nate Herbig, Kevin Dotson, Ryan McCollum
The starting five from last year mostly stays intact here other than Isaac Seumalo taking over the left guard spot. Broderick Jones will start at some point this season, but its not likely to happen for the first couple of weeks into the season. Unless injury happens, that will be the starting five that fans will watch in the trenches on week one and likely beyond that.
That leaves Jones as the swing tackle on this team, but that could also make the Steelers feel like they need to keep someone like Le'Raven Clark to be in that spot so Jones can focus on the left side. That situation would likely make Kevin Dotson's spot more flexible. Nate Herbig sticks around for some interior depth along the offensive line.
Kendrick Green fails to make this team after losing his backup spot to Ryan McCollum, who has improved since joining the team. Overall, it would be beneficial to this roster if they were able to go out and find some finds after final cuts roll through. The depth at guard is strong and tackle is not the worst depth that the club has seen in recent years, but some areas need upgrades.
Center is a spot that could look to add a waiver pickup or two come final cuts when clubs need to get down to a 53-man roster. McCollum could show in training camp that he is the guy behind Mason Cole going forward, but that would be a risky move. Expect some movement there and potentially at tackle if Clark is not able to show enough this pre-season.
The defensive line decides to stick with run stuffers to fill out the roster
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Breiden Fehoko, Montravius Adams
There could be a lot of moving parts across the defensive line for the Steelers, but at least four spots seem secure heading into training camp. Cam Heyward is getting older, but he has been able to hold off father time so far. Larry Ogunjobi was a nice addition to this front last year and should only be better in his second year with a clean bill of health.
Keeanu Benton is one of the rookies that will be getting a lot of attention this pre-season. He means a lot to the future of this defense. He is a young defensive tackle that will start off in the nose tackle role to begin his career. DeMarvin Leal rounds out those four locks to make the roster listed above as he can play in the trenches and as an edge rusher when needed.
After those four, that is where spots could really change with the outcome of training camp and the remainder of the pre-season. Breiden Fehoko, Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and others will likely be fighting for a couple of spots on the final roster. It should be a tough competition that comes down to the wire.
In this case, both nose tackles make the final roster with Fehoko and Adams making the cut. The type of experience that both veterans have in the NFL is almost impossible to look past. The Steelers normally keep that in mind when they weigh their final decisions. Both can play defensive tackle as well and they can stuff the run.
A late addition boosts the Steelers group at linebacker this year
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
Other than tight end, this position might be one of the easiest to predict at this point of the pre-season process. T.J. Watt is on course to become a future Hall of Famer and it seems like he is primed for a great season ahead. Alex Highsmith plays a good Robin to Watt's Batman, so their duo is dynamic.
Both depth players prove to be upgrades over the options that were present around this time last year. Markus Golden is a savvy veteran that can start games for you when needed and should play a strong role behind the starters. Nick Herbig still needs to develop as a player, but he should only see his potential rise as his rookie season pushes onward.
Inside linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Marcus Robinson, Tanner Muse, Reuben Foster
Cole Holcomb seems cemented into one of the starting spots at middle linebacker. He seems to be the only true starter potentially on the roster currently. Elandon Roberts will fill out a depth role with Mark Robinson making a push for a bigger role this year. Tanner Muse will fill out the room as a special teams ace with some coverage abilities.
One outlier that seems like a possibility of becoming reality right now is the addition of an outside piece to this linebacker group. Reuben Foster just had a terrific season in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers. The rumors are there between this player and the team and could be worth a shot to bring in. He is no slam dunk starter, but he could have a better potential of working out than some players currently with the club.
The Steelers decide to keep more cornerbacks and less safeties this year
Cornerback (6): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Cory Trice Jr., James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan
Let training camp be your guide with Patrick Peterson, but it would be lovely if he could find a new career path as a great slot corner. That would take away many concerns surrounding this retooled secondary. Joey Porter Jr. will be a starter day one and it seems like Levi Wallace will likely keep that spot too if Peterson does fill in that slot role.
Chandon Sullivan is the only player at the position with a ton of slot experience and makes the club off that. Cory Trice also makes the team as he continues his momentum from minicamp into the pre-season. James Pierre does just enough to sneak onto this roster. He plays a lot of special teams and that gets him onto this 53-man team.
Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a lock to make this roster as he continues to be one of the top safeties in the game of football. Keanu Neal could have his starting job potentially challenged in camp, but there are no favorites that stand out for that scenario to realistically play out. The biggest outcome could be if Neal's injury issues return and that could reshape this group.
Damontae Kazee returns after having a strong season in Pittsburgh last year, even though it was shortened with an injury. He could play a role in the slot as well, which could help the depth of this team as well. Miles Killebrew rounds out this light safety room as he continues to be one of the best special team players for this club.