Steelers roster projections 2.0: How the final 53 roster is shaping up

Week 2 of the preseason is here as the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills. After holding joint practices in private practices at training camp, both of these teams are forming a familiarity with one another. Just like every practice this summer, this game is another opportunity for players to show their worth.

If they want to make a case for the final roster, they will need to take advantage of every opportunity between now and when final cuts are announced in a few weeks.

Steelers roster prediction ahead of preseason Week 2

Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Russell Wilson was said to be playing in this game last week after the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans. He has been battling a calf issue throughout training camp, which has limited his chances. Wilson needs to jump on a moving train and show that he is the solidified starter. Kyle Allen remains a strong third option at quarterback.

Justin Fields has enjoyed a strong preseason thus far, but he needs to clean up his mistakes from the first game.

Running back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Sticking with three running backs here as none behind them have proven to stick on the active roster.

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren should be getting a ton of chances this season to earn a lot of yards. It will be a run-heavy offense with Arthur Smith calling the plays. Cordarrelle Patterson missed a lot of time at training camp, so hopefully he can adapt to the new kickoff rule seamlessly. He has been one of the best NFL returners throughout his career, so it shouldn't be too much of a headache.

Wide receiver (5): George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller

They could always keep six receivers, but Quez Watkins seems like he is on the outside looking in after the last game.

We will see if the Steelers do accomplish a trade for an upgrade at the position, which could shake up this entire roster. The top four receivers listed above will get plenty of playing time, and Scotty Miller has enjoyed a strong training camp. He carried that over to the game last week and should be able to continue that trend to make the team.

Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt

Hard decision at tight end but keeping four on the roster might be the best choice considering how much Smith relies on them.

Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are self-explanatory to make the club. Connor Heyward hasn't done anything great throughout the preseason process, but he is a versatile and reliable player who will chip in on special teams. MyCole Pruitt makes the team over Rodney Williams because he has remained healthy and consistent since the start of training camp.

Offensive line (9): Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, Nate Herbig, Zach Frazier

Situating how the starting offensive line will fall into place will be more important than the actual roster makeup.

It is unlikely that the Steelers keep ten offensive linemen, so the final spot, if they keep nine players at the position, will come between Spencer Anderson and Dan Cook. Both made the team last year, but it seems like it will be one or the other. Anderson has proven to be more versatile and has climbed the depth chart due to injuries. It seems like Cook might struggle to make it this time around.

Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi, Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams

The top three at the position are locked, but there are plenty of roles that could be won.

DeMarvin Leal and Montravius Adams are having great camps and carried that into the stadium last week. They are making this roster, barring some unforeseen circumstances emerging. Dean Lowry sticks here, but he missed a ton of time this preseason, so his roster spot might not be as safe as many assume.

Pittsburgh may go with seven at this position, but they go with six to keep another player elsewhere.

Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson

With Markus Golden's shocking retirement last week, there is still a roster spot up for grabs at outside linebacker.

Both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are the top-edge rushers for the Steelers. Nick Herbig is getting ready for a big season as the third guy in this group. That is a big role on defense in Pittsburgh. The final spot will come down to either Jeremiah Moon or Kyron Johnson. Both have been doing good things at camp and played well in their first preseason game.

Inside linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson, Cole Holcomb (IR)

Here is another position where the Steelers could go into the season "light".

The top three names at the position should formulate one of the best inside linebacker groups in the NFL. Tyler Matakevich is probably a lock to make the roster as his special teams value is high. Mark Robinson could lose out here if the club only keeps four at the position. He has done nothing great to earn a roster spot this preseason. Cole Holcomb will likely start the season on IR.

Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop, Thomas Graham

Lots of defensive backs make this 53-man roster. Pittsburgh decides to roll with six cornerbacks.

The top two outside guys are obvious. It seems like Beanie Bishop will make the team as the slot option while Cam Sutton is away. Cory Trice Jr. is having a quality preseason. Darius Rush hasn't done anything great, but he is a solid depth guy to keep around. If they decide to stick with five guys at this position, Rush could have problems sticking.

Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts, Cam Sutton (Suspended)

Sutton has been getting plenty of snaps at safety during training camp, so expect him to remain at the position beyond slot cornerback.

Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott will be the two starters. Damontae Kazee is a quality option in a depth role. Miles Killebrew offers leadership and some of the best snaps on special teams in the NFL. If the Steelers keep five players here, Ryan Watts has a strong shot at making the team. He has shown versatility and a knack for turning the ball over this preseason.

Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)

Cameron Johnston had a solid preseason debut last week with the Steelers, and he should provide stability at the punter position.

Christian Kuntz has zero competition for his spot as the long snapper. Expect the hometown kid to make the roster. Chris Boswell has another kicker on the team, but he has no worries about losing his spot. He has missed some kicks in a practice setting, but hopefully, that is just him brushing the rust off from this past offseason.

Practice Squad (16+1): John Rhys Plumlee (QB), Daijan Edwards (RB), Jonathan Ward (RB), Jack Colletto (FB), Dez Fitzpatrick (WR), Jaray Jenkins (WR), Rodney Williams (TE), Dylan Cook (OT), Ryan McCollum (OL), Devery Hamilton (OL), Willington Previlon (DT), Logan Lee (DT), Jeremiah Moon (EDGE), Julius Welschof (EDGE)*, Jacoby Windmon (LB), Anthony Averett (CB), Thomas Graham Jr. (CB)

Quick note, Julius Welschof does not count against the practice squad since he is an international player.

A couple of names to note on this iteration of a projected practice squad are Anthony Averett, Jacoby Windmon, Jeremiah Moon, Logan Lee, Jack Colletto, and Daijan Edwards. Each of them has had a solid preseason thus far, but it hasn't been enough to this point. If they can excel in the last two preseason games, then maybe they could earn a spot on the final roster.