Early Steelers 53-Man Roster Predictions

Fullbacks (2): Derek Watt, Connor Heyward

My guess is the Steelers will get creative to keep both siblings on the roster. Conner Heyward comes in as someone with some good versatility and can play in multiple positions, and could potentially even run the ball if asked to. The popular solution would be to cut Watt and run with the younger Heyward, but I think Watt’s value and leadership as a special teams captain are too much to let go of. It’s not unheard of for the Steelers to carry two fullbacks on the roster, having done so in 2015 with Will Johnson and Roosevelt Nix. 

Tight End (2): Pat Friermuth, Zach Gentry

To keep both fullbacks on the roster I have the Steelers opting to go with only two true tight ends to start the year. Conner Heyward, who is listed on the website as TE/FB, would serve as the third tight end when necessary. Previously the Steelers opened with 5 total backs and 3 tight ends, this time those lines are blended with Conner Heyward, but the numbers work out the same with Heyward in both roles. 

Wide Reciever (6): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin lll, Anthony Miller, Gunner Olszewski 

A unit that looks pretty different when compared to last year, I have the Steelers opening the season with six receivers, breaking the trend from the past couple of years. Gunner was brought in to return kicks, so that’s mostly what he’ll be doing. A battle to watch will be Anthony Miller competing with Miles Boykin for that last receiver spot, but for now, I’ll give the edge to Miller who has been in the system longer. 

Offensive Line (8): James Daniels, Kendrick Green, Mason Cole, Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, Dan Moore Jr., John Leglue, Joe Haeg

Looking quite different from the group that opened the season last year, but it would be hard to argue that the group got worse in the offseason. Leglue impressed towards the ends of the season last year, so I think he sticks around. Haeg is back again for another year as a swing tackle. 

Defensive Line (8): Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams, Chris Wormley, Isaiah Loudermilk, Carlos Davis

If Tuitt comes back to the team, and Alualu is healthy, it would be hard to find a better defensive line group in the league. I’m a fan of the depth that this group has and the amount of talent throughout. That's not even counting guys who have played in the past here like Henry Mondeaux.

Linebackers (9): T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Myles Jack, Alex Highsmith, Marcus Allen, Robert Spillane, Buddy Johnson, Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka

The inside linebacker depth is pretty solid, the outside linebacker room could probably use another veteran presence, but for now, I’m rolling with who the Steelers already have. Tuszka is back for another year behind Watt, and Avery was brought over from the Eagles. Allen, Spillane, and Johnson all have good value as backups and special teams players. Seventh-round pick Mark Robinson is the only rookie I don’t have on my initial roster, but I think he can be stashed on the practice squad for a year as he continues to learn the position. 

Defensive Backs (9): Levi Wallace, Cameron Sutton, Akhello Witherspoon, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Arthur Maulet, Tre Norwood, Damontae Kazee, Justin Layne

This is one more DB than the team opened with last year, but I don’t see anyone here that doesn’t belong. Maulet is a solid run defender, I like Kazee as a backup and have him edging out Karl Joseph. The team clearly likes Norwood, giving him plenty of playing time as a rookie last year. That last spot is up for grabs with UDFA Chris Steele, Miles Killebrew, and James Pierre all being guys competing for it, but I give the edge to Layne because of his skill as a gunner on the punt unit. 

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

I don’t see this unit changing coming into the new season. You could make a case that Harvin shouldn't be here, but the team invested in him and I expect he gets another year to prove his worth. Barring injury Boswell and Kuntz should be good to go. 

Bonus! Practice Squad Prediction:

• Cody White, WR
• Trey Edmunds, RB
• Henry Mondeaux, DL
• Kevin Radar, TE
• Chaz Green, OL
• Mark Robinson, LB
• Sam Sloman, K
• Chris Steele, DB
• Steven Sims, WR
• Jace Sternberger, TE
• Ulysees Gilbert lll, LB
• Khalil Davis, DL
• Karl Joseph, DB
• Malcolm Pridgeon, OL
• John Simon, LB
• Daniel Archibong