Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Carolina Panthers, 34-9. The Steelers’ preseason has closed and the focus now is shaping the team’s initial 53-man roster to start the regular season. There were some excellent performances during the preseason and training camp for a lot of players that still may not survive the last round of cuts. Here is my projected 53-man roster for 2021!
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Quarterbacks: (3)
Mason Rudolph
Dwayne Haskins
Breakdown: Yes, despite a not-so-great performance during the preseason finale, Haskins still gets the nod over Josh Dobbs.
Running Backs: (4)
Benny Snell
Kalen Ballage
Anthony McFarland
Breakdown: Even though some of you may not agree, Snell is going to make the team. Jaylen Samuels seems to be the odd man out due to a great preseason and camp from Ballage.
Fullback: (1)
Breakdown: Not much competition here, Watt is our fullback!
Wide Receivers: (5)
Diontae Johnson
Chase Claypool
James Washington
Ray-Ray McCloud
Breakdown: McCloud’s roster spot was probably secured last night when Mathew Sexton muffed a punt. I was on the fence with Sexton, because I think he offers a little more as a returner, but HC Mike Tomlin always preaches about doing the little things and McCloud beats out Sexton in that aspect.
Tight Ends: (3)
Pat Freiermuth
Zach Gentry
Breakdown: This tight end group is all locked up barring an injury.
Offensive Line: (9)
Trai Turner
Zach Banner
Chukwuma Okorafor
Kendrick Green
Dan Moore
B.J. Finney
Rashaad Coward
Joe Haeg
Breakdown: There are a lot of new faces in this group this season and I’m excited to see the starting 5 together. The one time during the preseason they played together, they were dominant in the run game and protected the QB well. Finney offers position flexibility on the inside and he’s the better and more experienced option, so I kept him over J.C. Hassenauer. The same could be said about Coward, he’s been playing bully ball all preseason in the run game and that’s the identity the team is shooting for after an underwhelming 2020 season up front. Haeg and Moore have been consistent during the preseason at both tackle positions, and it just makes sense to have an option at both tackle spots.
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Defensive Line: (6)
Stephon Tuitt
Tyson Alualu
Chris Wormley
Carlos Davis
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Breakdown: Isaiah Buggs has improved a lot and it showed during camp and the preseason, but he is just is the odd man out here. Even with the improvement, Davis still outperformed him and could be of value on special teams as well.
Outside Linebackers: (4)
Alex Highsmith
Melvin Ingram
Jamir Jones
Breakdown: Jones is my candidate for preseason defensive MVP. He has played out of his mind this preseason and has shown that he is capable of getting to the QB. I decided to cut Quincy Roche and Cassius Marsh to keep a 6th corner.
Inside Linebackers: (5)
Joe Schobert
Marcus Allen
Robert Spillane
Buddy Johnson
Breakdown: In my eyes, Allen was battling for a roster spot with Ulysses Gilbert and just shows he’s more consistently available. Availability is the most important ability. Spillane is most likely the top backup to come on in the case of an injury and Johnson will see the field a lot on special teams with Allen.
Safeties: (4)
Terrell Edmunds
Miles Killebrew
Tre Norwood
Breakdown: The primary backup safety will most likely be Norwood, but he also offers position flexibility at the slot corner position as well. Killebrew will take on Jordan Dangerfield’s old role as the team’s special team’s ace.
Cornerbacks: (6)
Cameron Sutton
James Pierre
Justin Layne
Arthur Maulet
Mark Gilbert
Breakdown: I believe the Steelers will keep 6 corners on the initial roster, because they usually do. Layne has struggled at times during the preseason and camp, but has found ways to make plays during game action. Maulet was battling for the slot corner position with Antoine Brooks Jr., who was recently cut, cleared waivers, and returned to the team to be placed on IR. Brooks being placed on IR has also opened the door for the team to keep another corner and my pick for the 6th spot is undrafted rookie Gilbert. Gilbert has shown a lot of promise during preseason action and had a really strong camp.
Special Teamers: (3)
Chris Boswell
Christian Kuntz
Breakdown: Harvin III beats out incumbent Jordan Berry. Both have performed really well this preseason and in camp, but I think Berry has had been too inconsistent in the past and the Steelers have attempted to replace him the past couple of years. The time is now and Harvin has a massive leg! Kuntz is just a better athlete than incumbent long snapper, Kameron Canaday, so he gets the spot!
How do you see the Steelers initial 53-man roster shaping up? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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