{"id":414,"date":"2016-09-02T13:08:19","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T17:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=414"},"modified":"2016-09-02T13:08:19","modified_gmt":"2016-09-02T17:08:19","slug":"pittsburgh-steelers-final-53-man-roster-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/02\/pittsburgh-steelers-final-53-man-roster-projection\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Projection"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the final preseason games in the books,\u00a0teams are now closing in on the 53-man roster cuts. This is significant as the players who do not make a\u00a0roster will have to clear waivers to potentially make the practice squad. The Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Projection<\/h2>\n

Quarterbacks (3) <\/span><\/h3>\n

Ben Roethlisberger<\/a>, Landry Jones<\/a>, Zach Mettenberger<\/a><\/p>\n

The signing of Zach Mettenberger<\/strong> was all that needed to be done to finalize the roster. With Landry Jones<\/strong> becoming a free agent at the end of the\u00a02016 season\u00a0there is a chance that next year the Steelers enter the year with Ben Roethlisberger<\/strong>, Mettenberger, and a 2017 draft pick as the quarterbacks on their roster.<\/p>\n

Running Backs (3)<\/h3>\n

DeAngelo Williams<\/a>, Fitzgerald Toussaint<\/a>, Daryl Richardson<\/a><\/p>\n

With Le’Veon Bell<\/strong> suspended for three games, the Steelers will not have him count against their 53-man roster. Daryl Richardson<\/strong> will have three games to prove he is worth a roster spot after Week 3,\u00a0while navigating the \u00a0Karlos Williams<\/a> rumors. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fullback (1)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Roosevelt Nix<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

Roosevelt Nix<\/strong> is locked into the fullback position and had no competition.<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver (5)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Antonio Brown<\/a>, Markus Wheaton<\/a>, Eli Rogers<\/strong>,\u00a0Darrius Heyward-Bey<\/a>, Sammie Coates<\/a><\/p>\n

Cobi Hamilton<\/a> and rookie DeMarcus Ayers<\/strong> have not done enough to win a roster spot.\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/strong>, Markus Wheaton<\/strong>, Eli Rogers<\/strong>, Darrius Heyward-Bey<\/strong> and Sammie Coates<\/strong> are clearly the\u00a0five receivers who will make the roster to start the season.<\/p>\n

Tight End (3)<\/h3>\n

Jesse James<\/a>, David Johnson<\/a>, Xavier Grimble<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Ladarius Green<\/a> on the PUP list, Paul Lang<\/strong> is the only other name on the roster. It would be a surprise for the Steelers\u00a0to keep only two tight ends so Jesse James<\/strong>, David Johnson<\/strong> and Xavier Grimble<\/strong> will most likely make the original 53-man.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line (9)<\/h3>\n

Alejandro Villanueva<\/a>, Marcus Gilbert<\/a>, Ryan Harris<\/a>, David DeCastro<\/a>, Ramon Foster<\/a>, Chris Hubbard<\/a>, B.J. Finney<\/strong>, Maurkice Pouncey<\/a>, Cody Wallace<\/a><\/p>\n

The Jerald Hawkins<\/strong> injury almost certainly opened up a roster spot for B.J. Finney<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

Defensive Line (6)<\/h3>\n

Cameron Heyward<\/a>, Stephon Tuitt<\/a>, Ricardo Mathews<\/a>, L.T. Walton, Javon Hargrave<\/strong>, Daniel McCullers<\/a><\/p>\n

If any other lineman were to make it, it would be Caushaud Lyons<\/strong>. However, the Steelers have been clear in their\u00a0preseason rotations\u00a0that they are comfortable with their depth at defensive line. With bigger questions at linebacker and cornerback, these six should be all Pittsburgh\u00a0needs.<\/p>\n

Linebackers (10)<\/h3>\n

James Harrison<\/a>, Bud Dupree<\/a>, Jarvis Jones<\/a>, Arthur Moats<\/a>, Anthony Chickillo<\/a>, Lawrence Timmons<\/a>, Ryan Shazier<\/a>, Vince Williams<\/a>, L.J. Fort<\/a>, Steven Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n

There is almost no doubt that the Steelers keep ten linebackers. The five outside linebackers are locks. On the inside, L.J. Fort<\/strong> has done everything needed to earn a roster spot this year. Johnson and Tyler Matakevich<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Cornerbacks (5)<\/h3>\n

William Gay<\/a>, Ross Cockrell<\/a>, Artie Burns<\/strong>, Doran Grant<\/a>, Montell Garner<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Safety (5)<\/h3>\n

Michael Mitchell<\/a>, Robert Golden<\/a>, Sean Davis<\/strong>, Shamarko Thomas<\/a>, Jordan Dangerfield<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sean Davis<\/strong> will play the slot but will still be considered a safety. Jordan Dangerfield<\/strong> was the real winner of the final preseason game as he probably\u00a0solidified himself a spot on the roster in the game.<\/p>\n

Specialists (3)<\/h3>\n

Greg Warren<\/a>, Chris Boswell<\/a>, Jordan Berry<\/a><\/p>\n

No surprises here, all three are locked into their spots<\/p>\n

Practice Squad (10):<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Tyler Matakevich <\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Travis Feeny <\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Cobi Hamilton <\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Brandon Brown-Dukes <\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Al Hajj-Shabazz<\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Cashaud Lyons <\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. DeMarcus Ayers<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Matt Feiler <\/strong><\/li>\n
  9. Donald Washington<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Lavon Hooks <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Main Photo:<\/p>\n

    \n
    Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n