NEW: Steelers 53-Man Roster Predictions

Tight End (3): Pat Friermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward

The players remain the same, but this time I’m listing Connor Heyward as a tight end. So far in camp he has been working primarily as a tight end, maybe there will be an opportunity for him to get back in the backfield down the line, but it seems like TE3 and special teams play is his way onto the roster. 

Muth and Gentry are a solid duo at the position and seem to have a good future together. 

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

Another position group that I’m not going to mess with this time around. Thankfully this offseason the first team is getting plenty of reps with one another, something that really didn’t happen all that much during camp last year. 

The odd man out is J.C. Hassenauer. This group has three guys that can play center if the need were to arise, so Haeg and Leglue get the nod instead.

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

When I did my last prediction Tuitt hadn’t retired yet. Some of the comments from the Steelers players had me feeling confident that he would be back, now we know for sure he is done. Ogunjobi slides into this group as his replacement. 

This group is a talented one, and will probably be one of the hardest positions for the coaches to sort out, but I still give the last spot to Carlos Davis, though it could realistically go a number of different ways.

Linebackers (9): T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Myles Jack, Alex Highsmith, Mark Robinson, Robert Spillane, Ulysses Gilbert III, Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka

There are a couple of swaps in this position group for the inside linebackers. Mark Robinson and UG3 make their way onto the 53 in this one. 

When he was drafted Robinson was billed as a raw player, having made the position switch somewhat recently. At camp, though he has been one of the most physical ones out there. I think he makes it to the roster, if he goes to the practice squad there is no guarantee that someone else won’t sign him. 

As for UG3, he is proving hard to move on from, and with Marcus Allen missing some practices, I lean towards UG3 making the roster instead. 

There are still plenty of chances for other players to make their push, in particular, the OLB group could end up looking different. 

Defensive Backs (8): Levi Wallace, Cameron Sutton, Akhello Witherspoon, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Arthur Maulet, Tre Norwood, Damontae Kazee

This group is the same except for the omission of Justin Layne. I opted for one additional RB instead of another DB this time. The last player in this group came down to Kazee or Joseph, and it really was a hard decision. 

Both players have seen some extra reps with Minkah missing the start of camp with a wrist injury, and both have done pretty well for themselves. That being said, I could see the Steelers doing the opposite, keeping both Joseph and Kazee instead of Jaylen Warren, but for now, this is what I’m sticking with. 

Conclusion

Despite my best efforts, I’m sure there are plenty of things that will end up being wrong once the 53 is actually released. They might opt for more DBs,  Anthony Miller may end up returning kicks, or some other surprise addition might come, but this is one way the roster might be configured. 

The best indicator for the tough decisions will come once games are actually being played, but for now, we can get excited that they are finally on the horizon.