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<\/a><\/p>\nMay 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
It\u2019s pretty clear that the Steelers want Will Howard to win the QB2 job. He was given QB2 reps during the offseason program, and Pittsburgh would love if he shows he can be the primary backup to Aaron Rodgers in 2026. If it\u2019s close, it\u2019ll be a tie goes to the runner situation where the Steelers will opt to keep Howard, and in turn, flip Rudolph in a trade that involves a pick swap i.e. sending Rudolph and a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Then again, Kenny Pickett was traded for a fourth-round pick last offseason on two occasions, so if they can get that for Rudolph, they\u2019d do it in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n
Running back (4): Rico Dowdle, Jaylen Warren, Eli Heidenreich, Travis Homer<\/p>\n
Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Eli Heidenreich (29) participates in drills during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Dowdle and Warren are the undisputed top two backs, but it gets interesting when you try to fill the rest of the room. Kaleb Johnson had just 28 carries for 69 yards as a rookie and he doesn\u2019t play special teams. Travis Homer is a special teams stud, and that will lead to him securing a roster spot. That leaves a battle between Johnson and Eli Heidenreich, which Heidenreich wins. He\u2019s more versatile and he\u2019ll provide Pittsburgh with another special teams hand. If the Steelers could get a Day Three pick for Johnson, that would be a win.<\/p>\n Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Germie Bernard, Noah Brown, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen<\/p>\n LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 01: Noah Brown #85 of the Washington Commanders reacts during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n As I pointed out previously<\/a>, I fully expect the Steelers to add veteran competition at wide receiver for what will be one open spot. Five slots at receiver are safe: Metcalf, Pittman, Bernard, Skowronek, and Wetjen, with the latter two taking up the WR5 and WR6 spot, respectively. Skowronek is there to play special teams and Wetjen will purely be a returner. Thus, the WR4 spot will come down to a competition between Roman Wilson and an outside addition, which I\u2019ll pick to be Noah Brown. Curtis Samuel is another name that could be intriguing, but his injury history is a red flag. Brown\u2019s the safer choice, and I\u2019ll take a swing and say he comes in and wins the WR4 job over Wilson, who then gets shipped to the Los Angeles Chargers to reunite with Jim Harbaugh.<\/p>\n Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Riley Nowakowski<\/p>\n Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Barry Reeger-Imagn Images<\/p>\n This is one of the easier positions to sniff out. Freiermuth and Washington will be the No. 1 and No. 2 tight end, respectively, with Nowakowski playing the hybrid fullback\/tight end roll.<\/p>\n Offensive line (9): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones, Gennings Dunker, Brock Hoffman<\/p>\n Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (71) participates in drills during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n One of the more intriguing aspects of the Steelers\u2019 roster is what they will end up doing with Broderick Jones. Will he be put on IR? It\u2019s definitely possible, which would open a spot for someone like Ryan McCollum. If the Steelers don\u2019t put him on IR, will he start? Will he even be ready to play? There\u2019s a lot of unknown. He\u2019s another name I would look to move in favor of receiving a draft pick, as the team didn\u2019t pick up his fifth-year option and he will hit free agency in 2027.<\/p>\n The rest of the unit is pretty straight forward. Cook is a versatile depth piece, with Hoffman being an interior backup who can play center or guard. I\u2019d expect Dunker to start the season behind Spencer Anderson, but taking over the starting job before mid-season.<\/p>\n Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomewo<\/p>\n Jul 24, 2025; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward (97) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Another group that feels pretty easy to outline. The final spot will come down to Otomewo, Rubio and Logan Lee, which Otomewo wins with Rubio going to the practice squad. Lee could land there, as well, but don\u2019t be surprised if he is playing somewhere else in 2026. Dean Lowry is coming off a torn ACL he suffered last year in training camp, so we\u2019ll see if he is able to produce at a respectable level, but I\u2019ll pencil him in for a roster spot. The top five names in the group give Pittsburgh some very nice rotational depth.<\/p>\n Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer<\/p>\n Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) participates in drills during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Perhaps the easiest position to predict on the Steelers\u2019 roster. Unless a trade occurs sending Highsmith elsewhere, don\u2019t expect anything to change in terms of the names here. Let\u2019s just hope we see more snaps for Nick Herbig in 2026. Jamin Davis just misses the cut, but is placed on the practice squad.<\/p>\n Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener<\/p>\n Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) participates in drills during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Queen and Wilson will continue to be the top two linebackers, while Holcomb rotates in as a solid No. 3. Bruener proved himself to be a good special teamer, and could take a small step forward and become part of the defensive rotation. I\u2019d prefer seeing the Steelers go that route and part ways with Malik Harrison, especially for the $6.8 million price tag.<\/p>\n Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr, Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr, Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n