The 2024 preseason is in the books, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are wasting no time cutting their roster down to just 53 players. The connections they made with dozens since the start of the offseason will be coming to an end, and only the strong will survive.
Preseason performances will no doubt play a factor when it comes to which players are being kept and who will be thrown back on the pile. When the clock strikes on the NFL cutdown deadline at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 27, every team must be roster compliant with just 53 players on their squad.
While many of these decisions are no-brainers, parting ways with a few talented players on the roster bubble (and possibly even 2024 draft picks) will be much more difficult. Here's my final 53-man roster prediction for the Steelers.
Final Steelers 53-man roster prediction:
Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
John Rhys Plumlee did everything to show off his versatility in training camp and the preseason, but it won't be enough. The Steelers will keep three quarterbacks, as they always do, and veteran Kyle Allen will be the third.
Running back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Keeping four running backs in an Arthur Smith offense isn't out of the question, but the talent outside of the top three names on the Steelers' depth chart isn't worth keeping. Cordarrelle Patterson is a shoo-in for the final spot -- especially after his 31-yard touchdown run in the preseason finale. I don't have the Steelers keeping a fullback this year.
Wide receiver (6): George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick
In every 2024 Steelers roster prediction I comprised, I had Pittsburgh keeping just five wide receivers... until now. Because Roman Wilson was never able to suit up in his rookie preseason and Calvin Austin III didn't do much to impress, I have Mike Tomlin keeping the veteran presence of Scotty Miller around this year. Dez Fitzpatrick also makes the team thanks to his special teams ability and frame to work on the outside in a pinch.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
These four tight ends have been the same since the beginning. There were some questions as to whether or not Rodney Williams could beat out MyCole Pruitt for the final spot thanks to his special teams ability, but Pruitt was simply the better player this summer and can aid the offense as a blocker and receiver.
Offensive line (9): Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum
Injuries to Nate Herbig and Dylan Cook have them missing the roster in my final prediction. With nine total spots devoted to the offensive line, a versatile Spencer Anderson and center Ryan McCollum are two roster-bubble players who narrowly make the cut.
Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk
I've remained consistent about the Steelers keeping seven interior defenders. Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi are locks to make the team. From there, I have Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, and Isaiahh Loudermilk making the roster; though I feel the least confident about Loudermilk. This means that rookie DL Logan Lee will begin his career on the practice squad.
Edge rushers (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson
The Steelers never deviate from four outside linebackers. The first three are easy. With the final spot at the position, I have Kyron Johnson beating out Jeremiah Moon. Johnson flashed in the preseason. I wouldn't be surprised if they later swap Johnson for an edge rusher cut from another team.
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson
Cole Holcomb missed the entire preseason as he still attempts to work his way back from a gruesome knee injury he suffered last year. This paves the way for both Tyler Matakevich and Mark Robinson to make the Steelers' 53-man roster.
Cornerback (5): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Beanie Bishop Jr., Darius Rush
Cory Trice sustained a groin injury in Pittsburgh's preseason finale against the Lions, but he was clearly the best cornerback not named Joey Porter Jr. or Donte Jackson this summer. Outside of Trice, I have Beanie Bishop and Darius Rush claiming the final two CB spots. This means that Thomas Graham Jr. misses the mark.
Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
To make room for a sixth wide receiver (Scotty Miller), I had to cut back somewhere. In my previous roster prediction, I had rookie defensive back Ryan Watts making the cut as Pittsburgh's fifth safety. After suffering a scary injury against the Lions, which later was labeled as a stinger, I have Watts beginning his career either on IR or the practice squad.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
The three specialists are as anyone would have predicted. Cameron Johnston had some booming punts during the preseason. Meanwhile, long-time kicker and long-snapper combo, Chris Boswell and Christian Kuntz, will be working together again in 2024.