{"id":271765,"date":"2026-08-25T07:16:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T07:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/271765\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T07:16:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T07:16:11","slug":"mccorkle-pittsburgh-steelers-2026-final-53-man-roster-prediction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/271765\/","title":{"rendered":"McCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Final 53-Man Roster Prediction"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Final roster cuts are due Sunday, Aug. 30, leaving the Steelers just one week of practice and the preseason finale to settle any remaining questions before trimming their roster to 53 players. With training camp and the initial two preseason games out of the way, we now have a pretty good idea of which way they are leaning at several different position battles.<\/p>\n<p>With the caveat that Thursday\u2019s finale in Buffalo (or injuries) could change things, here is my final 53-man roster prediction for the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, I\u2019ll include practice squad predictions as well.<\/p>\n<p>Check out my last three versions below to see how my thinking has evolved.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/2026\/05\/mccorkle-pittsburgh-steelers-2026-53-man-roster-prediction-pre-otas\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pre-OTAs<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/2026\/06\/mccorkle-pittsburgh-steelers-2026-53-man-roster-prediction-pre-training-camp\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pre-Camp<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/2026\/08\/mccorkle-pittsburgh-steelers-2026-53-man-roster-prediction-mid-training-camp\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mid-Camp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Offense \u2013 26<\/p>\n<p>Quarterbacks (4)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Mike McCarthy <a href=\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/2026\/08\/mccarthy-refutes-idea-will-howard-has-already-made-steelers-roster\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">slightly pushed back<\/a> on the idea of Howard already making the roster, but Gerry Dulac heard it from somewhere inside the building. And it makes sense given the team\u2019s need to win now while also thinking about the future without Rodgers. It\u2019s rare, but this is one of the few instances where it makes sense. Howard\u2019s two-interception preseason game doesn\u2019t change my thinking, especially after a solid debut the week prior.<\/p>\n<p>Running Backs (3)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0I don\u2019t see them keeping more than three running backs, and it\u2019s become clear Kaleb Johnson isn\u2019t the No. 3. McCarthy stressed the importance of contributing on special teams if you don\u2019t start, and Johnson didn\u2019t play a single snap on special teams in the second preseason game. Homer is valuable in that area, and McCarthy cited him as an example of a player who can contribute in every phase.<\/p>\n<p>Wide Receivers (6)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0I have my suspicions about the safety of Wetjen\u2019s spot, but somebody\u00a0needs to handle return duties, and it\u2019d be rare to cut a fourth-round rookie. But McCarthy wasn\u2019t shy about challenging him to do more after an impressive preseason debut. And he followed it up with one fumble and very nearly another.<\/p>\n<p>Tight Ends (4)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski (FB\/TE)<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Tonyan has earned a spot, but will they give him one? Stashing him on the practice squad to be called up or signed to the roster later in the season isn\u2019t unthinkable. I think he did enough to make himself a tough cut.<\/p>\n<p>Offensive Tackles (4)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Troy Fautanu, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0With Iheanachor finally returning to practice and Jones struggling against future furniture movers late in the last preseason game, part of me wonders if Jones is safe. Experienced depth at tackle is enough to squeeze him in.<\/p>\n<p>Interior Offensive Linemen (5) \u2013 Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Dunker didn\u2019t play in Friday\u2019s preseason game with an injury of some sort. Even with a return to practice, he seems like a strong candidate to end up on IR as a player already in need of a developmental redshirt year. If they go that route, would they keep him on the initial 53 to make him eligible to return this year, or could they shut him down for the year to save on already-tight roster math? I have him making the initial 53 for a possible return later in the season.<\/p>\n<p>If it plays out this way, the Steelers may need to look for another veteran interior to add to the roster or practice squad from elsewhere around the league, especially if Steven Jones is still dealing with an injury.<\/p>\n<p>Defense \u2013 24<\/p>\n<p>Defensive Linemen (6)\u00a0\u2013 Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Rubio has shown enough to be worth keeping on the 53-man roster as a rotational run stuffer. His combination of size and youth makes him more difficult to stash on the practice squad than somebody like Esezi Otomewo or Dean Lowry.<\/p>\n<p>Outside Linebackers (4)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0No changes here.<\/p>\n<p>Inside Linebackers (5)\u00a0\u2013 Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Elandon Roberts sealed Malik Harrison\u2019s fate, and he also makes it hard to roster any fewer than five inside linebackers. If one gets squeezed out, Cole Holcomb would make the most sense.<\/p>\n<p>Cornerbacks (6)\u00a0\u2013 Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Brandin Echols, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Injuries could complicate things with Everette sitting out of the second preseason game and Brandin Echols being injured since early in camp, but this is the group if they\u2019re all healthy. Keep a close eye on the Porter situation, though, with the two sides <a href=\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/2026\/08\/mike-mccarthy-steelers-are-at-an-impasse-with-cb-joey-porter-jr\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cat an impasse\u201d<\/a> in contract negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>Safeties (3)\u00a0\u2013 DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Rayshawn Jenkins is a tough cut after a strong finish to training camp and a couple nice performances in the preseason, but he was a free agent until the Steelers signed him on Aug. 1. Perhaps the lack of interest then would carry over and make it easier to stash him on the practice squad now. Spears-Jennings can contribute on special teams now, and with his combination of youth and speed, he carries too much long-term potential to risk losing.<\/p>\n<p>Special Teams \u2013 3<\/p>\n<p>Kicker (1)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Chris Boswell<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0The only other kicker was cut after missing a 44-yarder, and Boswell just got a big extension. Easy decision here.<\/p>\n<p>Punter (1)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Cameron Johnston<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0Johnston was the star of the Steelers\u2019 second preseason game, averaging over 50 yards per punt.<\/p>\n<p>Long Snapper (1)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Christian Kuntz<\/p>\n<p>Analysis:\u00a0The Steelers didn\u2019t even bother bringing in competition for him this year during training camp.<\/p>\n<p>Practice Squad \u2013 17<\/p>\n<p>QB \u2013\u00a0None<br \/>RB \u2013 Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich<br \/>TE \u2013\u00a0Lake McRee<br \/>WR \u2013\u00a0Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith<br \/>OL \u2013\u00a0Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester, Steven Jones<br \/>DL \u2013\u00a0Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomweo, Kyler Baugh<br \/>EDGE \u2013 Julius Welschof*<br \/>ILB \u2013\u00a0Jacoby Windmon<br \/>CB \u2013\u00a0D\u2019Shawn Jamison, Doneiko Slaughter<br \/>S \u2013\u00a0Sebastian Castro, Rayshawn Jenkins<\/p>\n<p>*International exemption<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Final roster cuts are due Sunday, Aug. 30, leaving the Steelers just one week of practice and the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":271766,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,75,74,1833,995],"class_list":["post-271765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-trending"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271765"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271765\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/271766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=271765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=271765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}