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’s cutdowns by 6 PM/EST. The roster can, and likely will, still change from there but this prediction is for the initial group.

As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Post-Draft Roster Prediction
Pre-Camp Roster Prediction
Post-Packers Game Roster Prediction 
Post-Jets Game Roster Prediction 

Offense – 25

Quarterbacks (4) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, Will Howard

Analysis: Mike McCarthy cheekily acknowledged all four quarterbacks are worth keeping, and the winds have been blowing this direction throughout the summer. Howard’s possible head injury after getting beat up in the preseason finale is a complicating factor.

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’ll assume he avoids it; at least, initially.

Running Backs (3) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Riley Nowakowski (FB)

Analysis: Sticking with my belief that the Steelers will keep just two running backs initially to take advantage of increased roster flexibility.

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 “yo-yo” candidate just in the way S Chuck Clark, OL Max Scharping, and CB James Pierre were last year.

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.

Wide Receivers (6) – DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen

Analysis: Ben Skowronek’s possible concussion also throws a wrinkle into things, but hopefully it’s not serious enough to compel an injured reserve stint. Frankly, I don’t even understand why Mike McCarthy played him in the finale. Wetjen calmed nerves with his 45-yard punt return touchdown in the finale to keep Max Hurleman at bay. Roman Wilson not dressing signals his spot isn’t anywhere close to the danger zone.

Tight Ends (3) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan

Analysis: A solid top three with Tonyan having a strong summer. He was held out of the finale. There’s a chance he could yo-yo on and off the roster, but Homer is more likely.

Offensive Tackles (4) – Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones

Analysis: The quality of the group is up for debate, and it’s 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?

Interior Offensive Line (5) – Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker

Analysis: This 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’t be shocked if he rotates with Hoffman.

Defense – 25

Defensive Linemen (6) – Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio

Analysis: This 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 and working to the side during practice this week, a signal he won’t miss the first month of the year.

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’s battling Dean Lowry, who didn’t dress and has enjoyed a strong summer. In the end, I gave the spot to Rubio. He’s younger and subject to waivers with more position flexibility. Lowry could circle back to the roster, but he’s easier to cut Sunday than Rubio.

Edge Rushers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Analysis: A group that’s been easy to predict throughout the summer. Importantly, a group that’s healthy and ready for Week 1.

Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb

Analysis: Cole Holcomb’s 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’t 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.

Cornerbacks (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols

Analysis: It was great to see Daylen Everette healthy and play last night after missing the Steelers’ 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.

Safeties (4) – Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Rayshawn Jenkins, Robert Spears-Jennings

Analysis: No changes here, either. In fact, my final prediction mirrors my previous version. Jenkins didn’t dress and is poised to make the team while Spears-Jennings has done all he can to be one of the top 53.

Special Teams – 3

Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell

Analysis: An obvious decision.

Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston

Analysis: A nice summer for Johnston, who spent it as Pittsburgh’s only punter.

Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz

Analysis: Kuntz with a solid tackle last night in a reminder he can do more than snap the football.

Injured Lists

Injured Reserve: Sebastian Castro, Logan Lee, Daequan Hardy
Reserve/PUP: CB Donte Kent

Castro was reportedly in a boot earlier this week and didn’t play in the finale. In my world, he won’t be a designated-to-return candidate and will go straight to season-ending injured reserve. Of course, he might also just be waived. Lee and Hardy are already on IR.

Kent will transfer to Reserve/PUP while on the mend from his December 2025 ACL tear. He’ll be eligible to practice in two weeks and eligible to play after four games. I’ll assume Joey Porter Jr. doesn’t get transferred here. If he does, look out.

Just Missed The Cut

To get a window into my roster construction, March Madness style, here are the final names inside the bubble and my first five outside of it.

No. 51: TE Robert Tonyan – Tonyan had a great summer and deserves a spot as the No. 3 tight end. There’s just a chance he could get bounced around because of his vet status. 
No. 52: S Rayshawn Jenkins – Jenkins not even dressing Thursday was a sign his spot is sewn up, but he’s a potential yo-yo candidate because of his veteran status and cheap contract.
No. 53: ILB Cole Holcomb – I surprised myself by nearly leaving Holcomb off the roster. He played deep into the preseason finale, and I’m unsure what his role will be on the team. Perhaps he logged so much time against the Bills because the defense needed someone to absorb snaps, but he ends the summer on shakier ground than I expected him to be.
No. 54: DL Dean Lowry – Don’t count him out as a potential yo-yo candidate, too. Makes more sense to cut him than a young guy, which helps give Rubio an additional edge. If I had one more spot, Lowry would get it.
No. 55: RB Travis Homer – In my world, Homer will be elevated 24 hours before the Atlanta Falcons game to serve as the No. 3 running back. He could, of course, just make the roster in that role. It was interesting that Homer was one of the few vets who dressed Thursday, and he saw nine snaps he didn’t need. Tells me he makes the most sense of the yo-yos.
No. 56: WR Max Hurleman – Hurleman had a great summer. He couldn’t have done much more to stick. The receiver spots are simply spoken for and Kaden Wetjen calmed nerves with his 45-yard punt return touchdown. Hurleman could easily be elevated and make his debut midseason. 
No. 57: C Ryan McCollum – McCollum is an experienced center, and Brock Hoffman didn’t see many reps at the pivot. Still, his background there is deep enough to justify serving as Zach Frazier’s backup. Pittsburgh will try to get McCollum to the practice squad.  
No. 58: RB Lew Nichols – I’m a card-carrying member of the Lew Nichols fan club. He’s fun to watch. He just falls short, especially in my world of carrying only two true runners. If injuries force the team to require a third, Nichols should get the nod over Homer.

Practice Squad – 17

QB – None
RB – Travis Homer, Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich
TE – Lance Mason
WR – Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith
OL – Ryan McCollum, Jack Driscoll
DL – Dean Lowry, Kyler Baugh, Esezi Otomewo
EDGE – Jamin Davis, Julius Welschof*
ILB – Jacoby Windmon
CB – D’Shawn Jamison, Devan Boykin
S – Jack Henderson

*International exemption

Analysis: Trio of running backs stick. Mason caught the ball well in the finale and has size. Hurleman is a near-lock and Smith was healthy enough to play in the finale. Driscoll beats out Doug Nester.

Lowry lands on the practice squad. Otomewo had a quiet summer but is a good athlete while Baugh competes hard. Davis played well at a new position. Windmon offers depth and likes to hit. Jamison came on strong in the finale while Boykin surged in exhibition action. Henderson grabs a final spot over the injured Sebastian Castro.

Pittsburgh could look for external help at tight end, wide receiver, offensive line, and safety.

Week 1 Inactives: Working under my assumption RB Travis Homer is elevated, meaning I need six inactives:

QB Will Howard
QB Drew Allar
OG Gennings Dunker
ILB Cole Holcomb
CB Daylen Everette
S Robert Spears-Jennings