Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Projection

Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Projection. This will list the players by how likely they are to make the team.

With the final preseason games in the books, teams are now closing in on the 53-man roster cuts. This is significant as the players who do not make a roster will have to clear waivers to potentially make the practice squad. The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to be careful choosing who should make the team. Below is a list of the players by how likley they are to make the team.

Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Projection

Quarterbacks (3)

Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Zach Mettenberger

The signing of Zach Mettenberger was all that needed to be done to finalize the roster. With Landry Jones becoming a free agent at the end of the 2016 season there is a chance that next year the Steelers enter the year with Ben Roethlisberger, Mettenberger, and a 2017 draft pick as the quarterbacks on their roster.

Running Backs (3)

DeAngelo Williams, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Daryl Richardson

With Le’Veon Bell suspended for three games, the Steelers will not have him count against their 53-man roster. Daryl Richardson will have three games to prove he is worth a roster spot after Week 3, while navigating the Karlos Williams rumors.

Fullback (1)

Roosevelt Nix

Roosevelt Nix is locked into the fullback position and had no competition.

Wide Receiver (5)

Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates

Cobi Hamilton and rookie DeMarcus Ayers have not done enough to win a roster spot. Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Sammie Coates are clearly the five receivers who will make the roster to start the season.

Tight End (3)

Jesse James, David Johnson, Xavier Grimble

With Ladarius Green on the PUP list, Paul Lang is the only other name on the roster. It would be a surprise for the Steelers to keep only two tight ends so Jesse James, David Johnson and Xavier Grimble will most likely make the original 53-man.

Offensive Line (9)

Alejandro Villanueva, Marcus Gilbert, Ryan Harris, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Chris Hubbard, B.J. Finney, Maurkice Pouncey, Cody Wallace

The Jerald Hawkins injury almost certainly opened up a roster spot for B.J. Finney. The Steelers will now enter the year thinner in terms of depth at tackle, but they will have plenty of talent and depth in the interior of their offensive line. Finney can play center and guard, and Hubbard can play tackle in emergency scenarios.

Defensive Line (6)

Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Ricardo Mathews, L.T. Walton, Javon Hargrave, Daniel McCullers

If any other lineman were to make it, it would be Caushaud Lyons. However, the Steelers have been clear in their preseason rotations that they are comfortable with their depth at defensive line. With bigger questions at linebacker and cornerback, these six should be all Pittsburgh needs.

Linebackers (10)

James Harrison, Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats, Anthony Chickillo, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, L.J. Fort, Steven Johnson

There is almost no doubt that the Steelers keep ten linebackers. The five outside linebackers are locks. On the inside, L.J. Fort has done everything needed to earn a roster spot this year. Johnson and Tyler Matakevich will be a toss-up heading into the final minutes of cuts. However, Matakevich is likely to make the practice squad, and Johnson has more experience on special teams which gives him the edge.

Cornerbacks (5)

William Gay, Ross Cockrell, Artie Burns, Doran Grant, Montell Garner

Al Hajj-Shabazz has played more special teams snaps than Montell Garner. However, Garner has played almost exclusively in the slot in the preseason. Garner is essentially holding down the spot for Senquez Golson while he recovers from a Lisfranc injury. The Steelers can use Garner as a placeholder and backup slot option in the meantime.

Safety (5)

Michael Mitchell, Robert Golden, Sean Davis, Shamarko Thomas, Jordan Dangerfield

Sean Davis will play the slot but will still be considered a safety. Jordan Dangerfield was the real winner of the final preseason game as he probably solidified himself a spot on the roster in the game.