Some positions on the upcoming roster seem fairly set for the time being, while others will have some intense battles in training camp. The pre-season process is about to kick into high gear as players try to make rosters in the NFL. The Steelers will have some tough decisions to make as a couple of known names could be on the chopping block if they get beaten out in certain battles.
Rules have changed some across the league as clubs are now allowed to have 90 players on their rosters until the final cut down day. That will account for 37 cuts being announced in a few days before clubs shift their focus to the regular season. Some roster tinkering could happen from there as other cuts are made on other rosters and potential free agents could add a new wrinkle to this team.
Steelers do end up with a new specialists on the roster in 2023
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Braden Mann (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
An undrafted free agent was brought onto the club to try and make some competition with Chris Boswell. Things are not looking good for B.T. Potter as he will have almost zero chance to make this club, barring a massive upset. He could be a nice candidate to make the practice squad in case Boswell suffers another lengthy injury like he did last year.
Braden Mann makes the team over Pressley Harvin III in this scenario. He is not an amazing punter, but he is better statistically over his career than Harvin. This should be a tough fight, but Mann is an experienced guy that is used to punting in cold weather environments. Christian Kuntz is a solid long snapper and should keep his job without any competition on the roster.
Pittsburgh secures the last spot at quarterback by bringing back an old friend
Quarterback (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
It seems like the third string quarterback is currently not on this roster, even though Tanner Morgan was signed through undrafted free agency. There is no quality experience behind Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky. The Steelers play the long game here and sign Mason Rudolph right before training camp starts up.
His market in free agency seems limited and that could make a reunion more of a possibility. Rudolph is not great, but he is an upgrade third stringer with NFL starting experience. You could do much worse than him as your number three and it might be the most beneficial for both parties to renew for another season.
Everything seems pretty cut and dry for the running back group
Running back/fullback (4): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr., Connor Heyward
For the most part, this group of running backs, plus a fullback, seems like a slam dunk. Monte Pottebaum might push for a spot on the roster, but Connor Heyward should be able to take over the fullback duties. He is more of a utility guy that can play a bunch of different roles for this club.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren should be able to take the next step as a duo behind an improved offensive line. Anthony McFarland Jr. could be the dark horse from this group that could miss out on the final roster. That decision will be based on his pre-season performance and if the club adds anyone else between now and the regular season.
The receiving group should be a deeply talented bunch for the Steelers
Wide receiver (5): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin
Another group that should end up like this when you look at their competition in camp. Anthony Miller could make some noise for challenging Calvin Austin III, but the Steelers would probably like to keep him around. The top three of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson are slam dunk starters.
The final spot or two is where things could get interesting for this group. Five or six spots are likely open for this position, and Hakeem Butler could make some noise this pre-season. He will battle Miles Boykin in camp and the better of the two at special teams will likely stick to the roster.
Pittsburgh should enjoy one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Zach Gentry
Depending on how Pittsburgh judges Heyward's position, there could be four tight ends making this roster. Darnell Wright and Pat Freiermuth make a great one-two punch at tight end. Zach Gentry is great value as a third string tight end that can add some good elements in the blocking game.
This could be the best positional group on paper for the black and gold heading into the pre-season process. All three could start if need be, even though Gentry would be a drop-off. Tight end is now a strong point for this roster, and it could really benefit this club.
Plenty of depth and quality should fill the offensive line this season
Offensive line (10): Broderick Jones (OT), Isaac Seumalo (OG), Mason Cole (OC), James Daniels (OG), Chuks Okorafor (OT), Dan Moore Jr. (OT), Le'Raven Clark (OT), Nate Herbig (OG), Kevin Dotson (OG), Spencer Anderson (OG/OC)
Massive changes have been implemented to the offensive trenches of the Steelers. They have been able to upgrade at left guard, tackle, and a couple of depth spots as well. Trying to figure out where some starters may land is one thing, but figuring out who will make the final roster is another. Both starting tackles will likely be the biggest positions to sift through, but one would have to imagine that Broderick Jones will start on the left side no matter what.
Unless someone knocks Kevin Dotson off the roster, it seems like one roster spot is potentially open for business. Trying to figure out who the starters will be, especially at tackle, and those that are backups behind them will be the main factors to figure out. The final roster spot in this case came down to Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, and William Dunkle.
Anderson won that battle in this case because of his position flexibility and athleticism. He has a higher ceiling than any of the other players listed in the competition for that final spot. This offensive line has the makings of one of the deepest and potentially most talented groups that we have seen in a long time.
Competition for the last two spots on the defensive line should be fierce
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward (DT), Larry Ogunjobi (DT), Keeanu Benton (NT/DT), DeMarvin Leal (DE/EDGE), Breiden Fehoko (NT), Armon Watts (DT)
Another group that seems fairly set in stone despite a few depth chart settings. The three starters seem ready to go with Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi playing the defensive ends for this defense. Keeanu Benton was just taken in the second round, and he will likely be the starter at nose tackle and a pivotal role player as a defensive end. This group has some quality depth behind it, but the starters are a solid three front for the first time in years.
DeMarvin Leal is still trying to figure out his role as many believe that he will likely play as a defensive end and a potential edge rusher hybrid. Breiden Fehoko, Armon Watts, and Montravius Adams will battle for a few depth roles along with Isaiahh Loudermilk. Four people will enter that fight for the final two spots on the defensive line.
In this case, both Adams and Loudermilk were let go from the team. Adams has not been the same player that he was during the stretch run a couple of seasons ago. Many counted on him to take pressure off Tyson Alualu last season and that never materialized. Another disappointment last year was Loudermilk as experts thought that he would take a step forward. That also never happened and that cost these two in the end.
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.
Likely one or two spots available will cause for tough decisions
Cornerback (6): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Arthur Maulet, Chandon Sullivan, Levi Wallace, Cory Trice
For the most part, this cornerback room seems to be set up beside the final spot on this roster. Unless someone jumps out and shocks this team before the regular season Arthur Maulet and Chandon Sullivan will be the two battling for depth chart positioning. Other than that the two outside cornerbacks seem set in stone. There will be only a couple of spots where unsuspecting performers could push to make the final roster.
Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter Jr. will likely start on the outside. That will leave Levi Wallace as the primary backup to them, which is good depth. The final roster spot is where things could get interesting at cornerback. It seems like three or four defensive backs will be battling for that final roster spot, and it went to the draft pick in this instance.
Cory Trice was able to beat out James Pierre and others to make the team. He has some medical concerns coming out of the draft, but he has great ability on the field if he can stay healthy. Pierre would be one of the bigger names to be cut from the team, but trying to store Price on the practice squad was too hard of a gamble for Pittsburgh to pull off.
Safety will likely remain the same as the Steelers had last season
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Tre Norwood
Another obvious choice for those that make the team is at safety position. Both starters are set, and Damontae Kazee will play a big role in this club. Miles Killebrew makes the club off his leadership and special teams play. Tre Norwood can wear many hats and that will get him on this roster for yet another season.
The Steelers practice squad infuses youth and some known names
Practice squad (16): Tanner Morgan (QB), Monte Pottebaum (FB), William Dunkle (OG), Trevor Downing (OC), Hakeem Butler (WR), Anthony Miller (WR), Montravius Adams (NT), Isaiahh Loudermilk (DT), Tae Crowder (LB), David Perales (EDGE), Elijah Riley (S), James Pierre (CB), Master Teague (RB), B.T. Potter (K), Jordan Byrd (RB/RS), Emeke Egbule (EDGE)
Welcome to the fun zone of the practice squad that will 100% be spot on when you check back in a few months. Overall, this is a quality group that provides depth to the actual roster and provides some players that could develop into something. There are a couple of guys on here that could be called up to play special teams at a moment’s notice, which is a nice benefit to have.
On the offensive side of the ball, there are a some interesting names that do stick to this portion of the team. Most notable names include Hakeem Butler, Trevor Downing, and Tanner Morgan. All three are recent signings that should make a push for the roster in different capacities in camp if they can stay healthy. Each one of them could develop into a better player, and Butler could add a new target to this offense if someone would go down with an injury.
Defensively, there are a couple of interesting names that make the practice squad for the Steelers in this instance. Isaiahh Loudermilk, David Perales, and James Pierre all re-sign onto the black and gold as practice members. Both Loudermilk and Pierre provide a good chunk of snaps on defense. Perales is a developmental edge rusher that could become a solid third or fourth option for this team in a year or two.