QBs: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Landry Jones
I'm sticking with these three. Rudolph was a third-round pick, so the team can't just stash him on the practice squad . Dobbs, on the other hand, may be able to spend some time on the practice squad without being picked off by another team. But it is risky. If another team does take Dobbs of the Steelers, the team would have wasted a 4th round pick and thrown away a high-upside, off-the-field-really-good-guy QB in Joshua Dobbs. Personally, I prefer Dobbs. If they really think Rudolph can take over, then he must be able to convincingly beat out Landry Jones, making the third spot more open to someone like Dobbs. But they may prefer the veteran in Jones.
RBs: Le'Veon Bell, James Connor, Jaylen Samuels, Stevan Ridley
After his preseason performance, I have Ridley making the roster, and the team going from 3 backs to 4. He's a good veteran presence and offers a lot more in the passing game than expect, and he put on display against the Eagles. he has been injured, and Fitzgerald Toussaint is making a strong push, but Ridley is slightly in the lead. Ridley just gives the Steelers another option, and he can spend his time mentoring Connor and Samuels, or whoever else may attempt to take Bell's spot by the end of the year.
FB: Rosie Nix
No explanation needed.
WR: Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Justin Hunter, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Damoun Patterson
First three are a lock, though the last three are in question. Eli Rogers stays on the PUP, meaning he won't count against the 53. Derrius Heyward-Bey, Marcus Tucker, Damoun Patterson, Quandree Henderson, Justin Huter, Justin Thomas, Tevin Jones, and Trey Griffey are all fighting for the last three spots. Tucker's great on special teams and could be a possible replacement for Heyward-Bey, though the veteran's experience puts him in the lead. Trey Griffey and Justin Hunter are battling for a spot as well, as there aren't many bog-bodied receivers on the team, and the Steelers have struggled in the redzone. Griffey hasn't shown much in the preseason, so expect Hunter to come out on top. Patterson, Henderson, Jones, and Thomas are all fighting for the last spot, and, of the bunch, only Patterson has really shown any talent. But, he has been inconsistent, and if the Steelers go with 5 receivers instead of 6, he could be cut.
TE: Vance McDonald, Jesse James, Xavier Grimble
Same as last year. McDonald need to stay healthy and produce or his cap number may cause him to be a cut candidate next offseason. James is a free agent next offseason, though I do believe the Steelers re-sign him to be a consistent backup, like Matt Spaeth was for so many years. Grimble is a different story. I still think he has the highest ceiling of the bunch, but he has not produced much. He makes flashy plays on the field, but struggles to earn himself playing time. Of the other TE's (Bucky Hodges, Pharoah McKever, and Chrstian Scotland-Williamson), Hodges seems to have a convincing lead. His ability in the redzone and improved blocking does give him a slight chance to make the roster.
OL: Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Chuks Okarafor, Matt Feiler, B.J. Finney.
Looks about the same except Okarafor replaces the injured Jerald Hawkins. Feiler and Finney are two versatile T/G/C who the Steelers love.
DL: Stephon Tuitt, Cameron Heyward, L.T. Walton, Tyson Alualu, Javon Hargrave, Daniel McCullers
Same bunch as last year, with McCullers holding out for one more year. He has shown great effort and hustle this year, and can be the run-stuffer the team has wanted for so long.
OLB/EDGE: TJ Watt, Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, Keion Adams
Keion Adams and Ola Adeniyi are the big additions this year. With the loss of James Harrison, the team has a need for big-time pass rushers and the duo definitely has the potential to be exactly that. But, Adeniyi spends a year on the practice squad, simply due to the fact that there aren't enough roster spots to have 10 LBs.
ILB: Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich, Jon Bostic, Mathew Thomas, L.J. Fort
I've changed from 4 to 5 ILBs for the team.They definitely need the help. The addition is L.J. Fort. He is likely the best coverage linebacker of the bunch, and it is time he is taken seriously. Mathew Thomas is a high upside ILB, but he most definitely not NFL-ready just yet.
CB: Joe Haden, Artie Burns, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton, Brian Allen
First five corners a lock, but the question is the 6th. I see the Steelers sticking with only 5 corners, as Burnett and Edmunds have the ability to occasionally play at corner. Players who could possibly get that 6th spot include Coty Sensebaugh, Jamar Summers, and Dashaun Phillips.
S: Morgan Burnett, Sean Davis, Marcus Allen, Terrell Edmunds, Nate Behre
The first four are a lock, though Marcus Allen could spend a year on the practice squad. The 5th spot comes down to depth and special teams ability. I see the Steelers going with Behre who looked good in his preseason debut with the team. He can be the perfect special teams player to replace safety Robert Golden ad WR Darrius Heyward-Bey.
K: Chris Boswell
P: Brad Wing
Bring him back.
LS: Kameron Canaday
