Now that the 53-man roster is complete, the Steelers will hope to retain ten of those players for a season on the practice squad. Who are the ten players that the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad should be composed of?
Predicting Pittsburgh Steelers Practice Squad
Jacob Hagen – Safety
Hagen is likely the first name that the Steelers are calling. He has looked strong in preseason and was on the practice squad last season. Hagen is on track to be next in line of the players taking this route to a Steelers roster. From Ross Ventrone to Robert Golden to Jordan Dangerfield, Hagen is on track to be that next player.
Marcus Tucker – Wide Receiver
Tucker returned kicks and looked impressive as a receiver in the preseason. He did not play until late in games and did not see great quarterback play, but there is some potential in his game. Tucker should have an inside track to spend another season on the practice squad.
DeMarcus Ayers – Wide Receiver
Ayers spent a lot of his time on the sideline in the preseason with some injury issues. It definitely affected his roster status, but coming into camp, he was a player getting 53-man roster consideration. After another season on the practice squad, Ayers could be a player fighting for a job again next season.
Brian Mihalik – Offensive Tackle
Mihalik has the look of a left tackle but does not have the play. He is a prospect based on size, but he has looked just as raw as Jerald Hawkins. However, Hawkins has shown a greater upside and put some stuff down on tape this preseason. Mihalik could use another year with the team and could be an interesting case coming into 2018.
Ethan Cooper – Offensive Guard
Cooper is stout but strong and it showed at times. However, coming from the small school of Indiana Pennsylvania he is not quite on par with the NFL standards. He is a bit of a project, but a project worth investing in due to his size, strength and clear desire for football. Cooper could be competing for a roster spot in the next two years.
Farrington Huguenin – Linebacker
There were small whispers that the team was considering Huguenin for the 53-man roster. He is a fast pass rusher who looks like he can contribute on special teams. Arthur Moats having his success in the preseason may have bought him one more year, but next year Keion Adams and Huguenin are coming for him.
Trey Williams – Running Back
Williams had a strong preseason in the return game. Then, he muffed a punt in week four. It killed any consideration that he had earned for himself, but his ability should have caught the Steelers eyes heading into 2018.
Lavon Hooks – Defensive Tackle
Hooks emerged above Roy Philon as the better prospect. Between Hooks and Johnny Maxey, Maxey is likely to find himself a job somewhere else.
Matt Galambos – Linebacker
Galambos stood out on special teams and made some plays late into games on defense. Galambos is a hard worker and an under the radar player but with a year on the practice squad, he could be fighting for a roster spot in 2018.
Jake McGee – Tight End
McGee was signed in the middle of camp but looked really strong as a blocker. He beat out Phazahn Odom as a player the Steelers wanted to see more and given the type of playing time he was getting in the preseason they absolutely want to keep him around.
Main Photo:
