Steelers 53-Man Roster Predictions 1.0

QBs: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Landry Jones

I don’t see Josh Dobbs making the roster this year, unless he has experienced some exponential improvement over the off-season. He can remain on the practice squad and find himself back on the roster in 2019. I doubt the Steelers cut Jones as he is good veteran depth and he can provide the mentorship for Rudolph that Ben likely won’t want to focus on. Instead, they keep him as the No. 3 QB on the roster and let him play out his contract.

RBs: Le’Veon Bell, James Connor, Jaylen Samuels

Steelers usually go with 3 RBs, though some teams do go with 4. Le’Veon takes the vast majority of the carries, so  a No. 4 is unnecessary. Connor secures the No. 2 spot though Samuels challenges, especially with his receiving ability. Toussaint and Ridley don’t show anything spectacular and find themselves off the roster once again.

FB: Rosie Nix

No explanation needed.

WR: Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Derrius Heyward-Bey, Eli Rogers, Marcus Tucker

First three are a lock, though the last three are in question. If Eli Rogers is able to recover from his injury, he should be a lock for a spot. If not, expect Quandree Henderson to step right up into his spot. DHB is in question, though his leadership, consistency, and special-teams ability should keep him on the roster. For me, the most difficult positional battle is between Justin Hunter and Marcus Tucker. I believe Tucker is most definitely the better overall receiver, but Hunter has the type of size no other WR on this roster has. Tucker wins very narrowly.

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. Last chance for the guy until the Steelers begin looking at guys like Jake McGee or former rugby player Christian Scotland-Williamson.

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 Jerald Hawkins. Hawkins has not impressed, but may have a fighting chance to make the roster. 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, Joshua Frazier

Only change is Frazier replacing McCullers. Expect UDFA Greg Gilmore to challenge for that role as well. If Gilmore or Frazier make the roster, they may end up being inactive (same as McCullers) for the majority of the games, unless they really impress.

OLB/EDGE: TJ Watt, Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickilo, Keion Adams, Arthur Moats

Keion Adams squeezes in as a good enough pash-rusher to rotate in occasionally. He apparently drew good reviews from coaches last year. Expect Ola Adeniyi and Farrington Huguenin to fight for a stop a well. Moats, though he is a free agent currently, has interest from Pittsburgh. His experience, leadership, and his underrated play, will get him back on the roster.

ILB: Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich, Jon Bostic, Mathew Thomas

Think the Steelers go with 4 ILBs, though many are thinking 5. LJ Fort could be that 5th for sure. UDFA Mathew Thomas is a speedy, athletic, and strong ILB with insane potential for a player who went undrafted. Mike Tomlin definitely seems to have a plan for the guy, and of all the UDFAs, I think he has the highest chance to make the roster.

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, Malik Golden

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 Golden over Nat Berhe, and the Steelers end up letting go of Behre, like they did with Knile Davis last year.

K: Chris Boswell

P: Jordan Berry

LS: Kameron Canaday