My final Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 53-man roster prediction. My best guess of what the roster will look like, and this is crucial, at Sunday\u2019s cutdowns by 6 PM\/EST. The roster can, and likely will, still change from there but this prediction is for the initial group.<\/p>\n
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.<\/p>\n
Post-Draft Roster Prediction<\/a> Offense \u2013 25<\/p>\n Quarterbacks (4) \u2013 Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, Will Howard<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Mike McCarthy cheekily acknowledged all four quarterbacks are worth keeping<\/a>, and the winds have been blowing this direction throughout the summer. Howard\u2019s possible head injury after getting beat up in the preseason finale is a complicating factor.<\/p>\n Could the Steelers find an escape hatch and place him on injured reserve? They could, but Howard starting another year on IR might be unnecessary and would definitely be frustrating for him. I\u2019ll assume he avoids it; at least, initially.<\/p>\n Running Backs (3) \u2013 Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Riley Nowakowski (FB)<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Sticking with my belief that the Steelers will keep just two running backs initially to take advantage of increased roster flexibility.<\/p>\n To be clear, a third runner, probably Travis Homer, would be elevated 24 hours before the Atlanta Falcons game to give Pittsburgh a third option. The Steelers can float that position for several weeks and Homer is a clear \u201cyo-yo\u201d candidate just in the way S Chuck Clark, OL Max Scharping, and CB James Pierre were last year.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh has several other yo-yo candidates to pick, but Homer was one of the few vets who dressed and played last night even though the Steelers had four other running backs available. That signals he could be cut, signed to the practice squad, and elevated for the first three weeks.<\/p>\n Wide Receivers (6) \u2013 DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Ben Skowronek\u2019s possible concussion also throws a wrinkle into things, but hopefully it\u2019s not serious enough to compel an injured reserve stint. Frankly, I don\u2019t even understand why Mike McCarthy played him in the finale. Wetjen calmed nerves with his 45-yard punt return touchdown<\/a> in the finale to keep Max Hurleman at bay. Roman Wilson not dressing signals his spot isn\u2019t anywhere close to the danger zone.<\/p>\n Tight Ends (3) \u2013 Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0A solid top three with Tonyan having a strong summer. He was held out of the finale. There\u2019s a chance he could yo-yo on and off the roster, but Homer is more likely.<\/p>\n Offensive Tackles (4) \u2013 Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0The quality of the group is up for debate, and it\u2019s fair to feel anxious about the right tackle spot. But it feels likely these will be the tackles. How soon will Iheanachor crack the starting lineup?<\/a><\/p>\n Interior Offensive Line (5) \u2013 Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0This group feels settled. Hoffman dressed last night but only played on the field goal-protect team. Dunker will begin the year as a backup and, likely, as an inactive. Anderson is a strong bet to start at right guard, but don\u2019t be shocked if he rotates with Hoffman.<\/p>\n Defense \u2013 25<\/p>\n Defensive Linemen (6) \u2013 Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0This is where things got interesting. I wrestled with the final d-line group but ultimately left things untouched. Joseph-Day has been hurt most of the summer and is a possible injured reserve candidate. But The Athletic noted he was in pads<\/a> and working to the side during practice this week, a signal he won\u2019t miss the first month of the year.<\/p>\n Rubio played wire to wire against the Bills, but that may not mean concern for his roster spot. Pittsburgh wanted to give its young players as many looks as possible. Still, he\u2019s battling Dean Lowry, who didn\u2019t dress and has enjoyed a strong summer. In the end, I gave the spot to Rubio. He\u2019s younger and subject to waivers with more position flexibility. Lowry could circle back to the roster, but he\u2019s easier to cut Sunday than Rubio.<\/p>\n Edge Rushers (4) \u2013 T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0A group that\u2019s been easy to predict throughout the summer. Importantly, a group that\u2019s healthy and ready for Week 1.<\/p>\n Inside Linebackers (5) \u2013 Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Cole Holcomb\u2019s spot is in more danger than I thought it would be and I almost left him off the roster. But he sticks as Pittsburgh keeps its normal allotment of five inside linebackers. The Steelers didn\u2019t play Malik Harrison last night, and he may not have even dressed. A sign they wanted to keep him healthy to cut him by Sunday.<\/p>\n Cornerbacks (6) \u2013 Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0It was great to see Daylen Everette healthy and play last night after missing the Steelers\u2019 second preseason game. Echols was one of the few vets to suit up against Buffalo, but that was probably to give him additional reps after missing the first two preseason contests with a foot\/ankle injury.<\/p>\n Safeties (4) \u2013 Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Rayshawn Jenkins, Robert Spears-Jennings<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0No changes here, either. In fact, my final prediction mirrors my previous version. Jenkins didn\u2019t dress and is poised to make the team while Spears-Jennings has done all he can to be one of the top 53.<\/p>\n Special Teams \u2013 3<\/p>\n Kicker (1) \u2013\u00a0Chris Boswell<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0An obvious decision.<\/p>\n Punter (1) \u2013\u00a0Cameron Johnston<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0A nice summer for Johnston, who spent it as Pittsburgh\u2019s only punter.<\/p>\n Long Snapper (1) \u2013\u00a0Christian Kuntz<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Kuntz with a solid tackle last night in a reminder he can do more than snap the football.<\/p>\n Injured Lists<\/p>\n Injured Reserve: Sebastian Castro, Logan Lee, Daequan Hardy
Pre-Camp Roster Prediction<\/a>
Post-Packers Game Roster Prediction\u00a0<\/a>
Post-Jets Game Roster Prediction\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
Reserve\/PUP: CB Donte Kent<\/p>\n