Steelers 53-man roster prediction with the 2023 NFL Draft behind us
The Steelers linebacker group will have a couple spots to battle for
Linebacker (8): T.J. Watt (EDGE), Alex Highsmith (EDGE), Cole Holcomb (LB), Elandon Roberts (LB), Nick Herbig EDGE/LB), Quincy Roche (EDGE), Tanner Muse (LB), Mark Robinson (LB)
Four spots are immediately secured by the starters of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cole Holcomb, and Elandon Roberts. Ideally, you would like to find some upgrade over Roberts, but that does not seem likely to happen at this juncture of the offseason. There will be an open battle for depth positioning and some roster spots as well between outside and inside linebacker.
Nick Herbig is a lock to make this team unless things really fall apart this pre-season. He was a fourth-round pick so nothing is guaranteed, but he was a high value pick at that point. Quincy Roche finally makes the roster this time around, but he will need to show a better performance on special teams before anything is said to him about making the club.
Tanner Muse and Mark Robinson round out the inside linebacker's room, which is lightly carrying four. There are not too many quality players at the position heading into training camp and that could lead to fewer players making the roster. Tanner Muse is solid on special teams and Robinson has some starting experience from last year. Let us hope that both Roberts and Holcomb stay healthy and play above their expectations this season.