Breaking Down the Steelers 53-man Roster

Offensive Line (8): Chukwuma Okorafor, Kedrick Green, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, Dan Moore Jr., James Daniels, J.C. Hassenauer, Jesse Davis

The Steelers will likely open the season with a projected starting line of Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, and Chukwuma Okorafor. The rest of the group projects to be backups. 

The new face in the room is Jesse Davis, who the Steelers acquired from the Vikings in exchange for a conditional 2025 seventh round pick. The experienced lineman has starting experience at every position at center, and could potentially be a starter once the Steelers get him up to speed. 

There could be another face joining/rejoining this group, should another player go on Injured Reserve, but for now this is the group the Steelers will operate with. 

Tight Ends (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward

I thought after the draft that the Steelers would find a way to keep both Derek Watt and Connor Heyward on the roster, and they’ve done just that, but most of the credit should go to Connor Heyward on that one. 

Muth and Gentry are the reliable top duo for the Steelers at the position, and Heyward brings some intriguing skills as well. The Steelers will likely find ways to get all three on the field during games, but this group was an expected one. 

Wide Receivers (7): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin lll, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin, Steven Sims

I’ve said previously that the wide receiver group is the most talented position the Steelers had, and evidently they agree. 

The likely scenario is that Calvin Austin will need to head to IR, and then the team will look to add help to a different position, but still it speaks to the talent in the room. 

Instead of Boykin having to battle Sims for a spot, they both make the roster. They both displayed serious talent when they got the ball in their hands, so rather than lose one of the two, the Steelers made room for both on the roster. 

Defensive Line (7): Montravious Adams, Chris Wormley, Cameron Heyward, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiah Loudermilk, Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi

The defensive line is set with mostly expected names. There was some concern about Adams and his health, but it appears things are good enough for him to make it onto the 53. If he has to go to IR, it at least means that he’ll return at some point. 

The return of Alualu should be a big boost to the group. Look for Heyward, Wormley, Ogunjobi, and Alualu to play early while the others develop and get healthy. 

Inside Linebackers (4): Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Myles Jack, Mark Robinson

The biggest surprise of this group is Mark Robinson making it over both Marcus Allen and Buddy Johnson, but he definitely earned it. 

Despite recently switching to the position Robinson was drawing Vince Williams comparisons in the preseason, even earning praise from the man himself. (https://twitter.com/VinnyVidiVici98/status/1562240681099378688) If he continues developing, the Steelers might have gotten a steal in the 7th round. 

As for the others it was nothing unexpected at this point. Jack is clearly the leader in the room, and Bush and Spillane will be competing for time with each other. 

Outside Linebackers (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Derek Tuszka, Malik Reed

Malik Reed is the other new face the Steelers added via trade, this time in exchange for a sixth round pick, they will also be getting a seventh round pick back in the deal. 

There was some uncertainty at the position after Genard Avery was released last week, but now the Steelers have their answer in Reed. 

In three seasons with the Broncos Reed has 15 sacks, and has started games in place of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. 

Tuszka gets the nod over Delontae Scott, Ron’Dell Carter, and Hamilcar Rashed. 

Corners (5): Akhello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Cam Sutton, James Pierre, Arthur Maulet

No real surprises here. It was mostly clear that Justin Layne was on his way out of Pittsburgh. Maulet should get play in the slot on early downs while Pierre plays on special teams and serves as a backup for the outside corners. 

Safeties (5): Tre Norwood, Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miles Killebrew, Damontae Kazee

There was definite concern that the injury sustained by Kazee would be season ending, but his appearance on the 53 is a very good sign that he’ll eventually return, even if they move him to the injured reserve. 

Killebrew sneaks back on the roster for his special teams play, though it would’ve been a much harder decision for the Steelers if Karl Joseph remained healthy. 

Everyone else should be no surprise. Edmunds and Fitzpatrick are the no doubt starters, with Norwood rotating in. 

Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin lll, Christian Kuntz

No surprises here, this group will remain intact for another season barring injury. 

Conclusion

It is likely that there are still a couple of roster shuffles to come before the Steelers take the field in Cincinnati, but this is the group that they’ll work with for now. 

Is there anyone you wish the Steelers didn’t cut? Is there anyone you are surprised made it onto the 53? Let us know!