My latest Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster prediction following the team\u2019s 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets Friday night. I\u2019ll have one more projection ahead of the Aug. 30 cutdowns.<\/p>\n
There is one crucial change to how I\u2019m predicting this roster. Previously, I looked at it from the perspective of what the Steelers\u2019 Week 1 roster would look like. With cutdowns closer and more in focus, I\u2019m changing that lens to how the roster will look at the cutdown deadline, next Sunday at 6 PM\/EST. Keep that in mind as you check my newest changes.<\/p>\n
As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments. You\u2019ll find my previous three roster predictions below to show how they have evolved.<\/p>\n
Post-Draft Roster Prediction<\/a> Offense \u2013\u00a025<\/p>\n Quarterbacks (4) \u2013 Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0If there was any lingering doubt, Friday cemented Mason Rudolph\u2019s spot as the No. 2 quarterback. Without him even having to lift a finger. Will Howard and Drew Allar lost some of their shine from their preseason debuts, and it\u2019s doubtful either are trusted enough in current form to be one snap away from entering regular-season action.<\/p>\n Still, coaches seemed to deflect blame for Will Howard\u2019s two interceptions on other factors, specifically WR Roman Wilson and the depth of his routes,<\/a> and Howard made other positive strides during the game. The offense moved the ball before those two picks. Allar also had his moments. Keeping four is on the table and if recent reporting is to be believed, Howard\u2019s spot is already spoken for.<\/a><\/p>\n Running Backs (3) \u2013 Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Riley Nowakowski (FB)<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0One of the few, and definitely the most interesting, changes to this roster update. There\u2019s been plenty of talk about who will be the No. 3 runner. Veteran and special teamer Travis Homer, summer riser Lew Nichols, former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, or fan-favorite rookie Eli Heidenreich?<\/p>\n What if it\u2019s none of the above?<\/p>\n Remember, this is my prediction for how the roster looks immediately after cutdowns.\u00a0Not\u00a0how it\u2019ll look for Week 1 against Atlanta. Of course, the Steelers will have a third back available to them by then, but that could come through a practice squad elevation instead of someone already on the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n Have any of the No. 3 candidates truly earned a spot? Homer has minimal offensive value. Nichols has played well but hasn\u2019t forced his way onto a spot. Johnson didn\u2019t particularly impress despite a longer look against the Jets. And Heidenreich feels much more like practice squad than 53-man roster.<\/p>\n Homer, if he re-signs with the practice squad, would most likely get the roster call-up for the first three games. He isn\u2019t subject to waivers and is doubtful to garner much interest around the league. Knowing that and accounting for the chance that Pittsburgh needs to carry an injured player an extra day (even with two spots, the team could opt to wait an extra 24 hours as it did with Will Howard last year<\/a>), and in the interest of keeping the\u00a0best\u00a053, the Steelers temporarily go short at running back. It offsets going heavy at quarterback.<\/p>\n Wide Receivers (6) \u2013 DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0No changes here, though it\u2019s fair to wonder how strong the group is. Wilson, Bernard, and Wetjen have been prone to mistakes<\/a> over the summer. If Wetjen has ball-security issues in the preseason finale, is it a crazy thought that Max Hurleman could get the nod over him? He averaged 29 yards on three kicks against New York and returned his punt 14 yards.<\/p>\n Probably not given Wetjen\u2019s fourth-round value and his own flashes, but it\u2019s a thought I\u2019ve had.<\/p>\n Tight Ends (3) \u2013 Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0This group seems set. There\u2019s a chance Pittsburgh plays the roster yo-yo game with Tonyan the way I outlined above with Homer. But Tonyan\u2019s had a great summer and will be part of the Week 1 roster.<\/p>\n Offensive Tackles (4) \u2013 Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0No alterations here, either. There\u2019s still some question over who starts at right tackle but it seems likely Cook gets the nod with Jones operating as a swing tackle. Iheanachor has just missed too much time. He\u2019d need to be healthy for the Buffalo game and have a tremendous performance just to have a chance to start the season opener.<\/p>\n Internally, there\u2019s no one else pushing for a roster spot.<\/p>\n Interior Offensive Line (5) \u2013 Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Again, leaving Ryan McCollum off in a tough cut, but he didn\u2019t have a strong showing against New York. Hoffman will operate as the backup center. It\u2019s been disappointing to have Iheanachor absent all preseason along with Dunker missing Friday\u2019s game. They both face a short turnaround to the finale.<\/p>\n Defense \u2013 25<\/p>\n Defensive Linemen (6) \u2013 Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0With so much mixing and matching blurring lines between defensive end and nose tackle, I\u2019m just lumping the entire d-line together. The group is unchanged. Dean Lowry remains in the mix, but Pittsburgh goes with the rookie Rubio, who has played well and has the end\/nose tackle flexibility that Lowry lacks.<\/p>\n Edge Rushers (4) \u2013 T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0No movement here. Unless injury strikes, my final prediction will be unchanged, too. Jamin Davis has posted good preseason production,<\/a> but I can\u2019t see him making the 53 unless someone gets hurt. His skill set, notably his tightness, won\u2019t translate as well to regular-season action.<\/p>\n Inside Linebackers (5) \u2013 Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener, Elandon Roberts<\/p>\n
Pre-Camp Roster Prediction<\/a>
Post-Packers Game Roster Prediction\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n