Now that the NFL draft is over, the Steelers 90-man roster is likely set until training camp. With that comes the long wait and the speculation of depth chart spots, and who will be battling for jobs and roster spots in training camp. We will try to highlight the positions to watch for with the first Steelers 53-man roster projection. If the NFL season were to start next week, these are the 53 guys that the Steelers should carry. The names will be listed alphabetically by position.
Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man Roster Projection Post Draft
Quarterbacks (3): Joshua Dobbs, Landry Jones, Ben Roethlisberger
The Steelers immediately cut Zach Mettenberger following the NFL draft. The three who are making the team is clear as day, and the question in camp will be whether or not Dobbs can push Jones for the backup job.
Running backs (3): Le’Veon Bell, James Conner, Knile Davis
Conner is a power back and Davis is a faster, pass catching type. Davis can also return kicks which makes Fitzgerald Toussaint very expendable.
Fullbacks (1): Roosevelt Nix
Nix deserves his spot as a solid fullback and special teams performer.
Wide Receivers (6): Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey Eli Rogers, JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Steelers will hope to sneak DeMarcus Ayers on the practice squad one more time. However, he could make the team over Coates or Heyward-Bey. Justin Hunter will have to beat out Coates for a shot and Cobi Hamilton is as good as cut.
Tight Ends (3): Ladarius Green, Jesse James, David Johnson
This will be a tough decision as to whether or not to keep three or four tight ends. However, in drafting a receiver over tight end they have to feel a little more comfortable in Green’s future than Bryant’s. Xavier Grimble could sneak onto the roster but he will have to beat out one of the wide receiver, cornerback or linebacker options.
Offensive Line (8): David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, B.J. Finney, Ramon Foster, Jerald Hawkins, Chris Hubbard, Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva
Jerald Hawkins is back from a wasted season due to injury, and the Steelers will hope to get him on the roster this year. If healthy, he should be able to beat out Brian Mihalik or Matt Feiler.
Defensive Line (6): Tyson Alualu, Javon Hargrave, Cameron Heyward, Daniel McCullers, Stephon Tuitt, L.T. Walton
Jon Maxey, Lavon Hooks, and Roy Philon are practice squad options, but it would be an upset to see any of them beat out McCullers or Walton for a roster spot.
Linebackers (5): L.J. Fort, Steven Johnson, Tyler Matakevich, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams
Fort and Johnson are definitely on the bubble, but both bring so much to the table in special teams value that they will both get chances.
Edge rushers (5): Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, James Harrison, Arthur Moats, T.J. Watt
The question in training camp will be Chickillo vs. Moats and Keion Adams. Adams is the recent draft pick, but he is raw, and likely could find himself being on the practice squad with a chance to make the 2018 team.
Cornerbacks (6): Brian Allen, Artie Burns, Ross Cockrell, William Gay, Coty Sensabaugh, Cameron Sutton
The question here will be about Brian Allen. He is very raw, but they may not be able to sneak him onto the practice squad without being claimed. Senquez Golson has missed two full seasons and in signing one cornerback and drafting two it is a good sign that they do not expect much from him moving forward.
Safety (4): Jordan Dangerfield, Sean Davis, Robert Golden, Mike Mitchell
The Steelers could be able to sneak an extra cornerback on by cutting Dangerfield and sliding Gay into a safety spot. However, Dangerfield was great on special teams and fared well in a start last season. Golden is the reigning special teams captain so both should feel their jobs are relatively safe.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, Colin Holba
If the Steelers are going to use a sixth-round pick on a player he better make the active roster.
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