PATROBE, PA — It is almost time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to leave Saint Vincent College after over two and a half weeks and sixteen practices. Before officially breaking camp on Wednesday, the team is slated to take a day off on Tuesday.
There is not much time left for guys on the roster who are on the fringe to convince someone to stay on when the Steelers return to Pittsburgh for their preseason workouts. Let us forecast the Steelers’ opening 53-man roster even though there are still a number of unresolved camp competitions, particularly at wide receiver, defensive back, inside linebacker, and offensive line.
Note: Asterisks denote rookies
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Cut: John Rhys Plumlee*
The competition between Wilson and Fields to start in Week 1 is exciting from a roster building perspective, especially for the third quarterback position. Plumlee’s worth as a return man is enhanced. As an attempt to demonstrate his versatility, he has also begun taking snaps as a receiver. As he prepares to begin his seventh NFL season, the Steelers would most likely choose Allen’s seasoned experience over the possible X-factor that the undrafted rookie Plumlee would offer.
Running back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Cut: La’Mical Perine, Jonathan Ward, Daijun Edwards*, Aaron Shampklin
This week, Patterson started showcasing his special set of skills. They positioned him up wide in Seven Shots and then pitched him the ball on an end around. This is your room if they consider him to be the third back. But Perine or Ward might force a talk if they want to carry three legitimate running backs.
Wide receiver (6): George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson*, Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins
Cut: Dez Fitzpatrick, Jacob Copeland, Jaray Jenkins, Tarik Black, Duece Watts
The top four are surefire selections for the squad. The Steelers will then need to determine if they want to hold onto five or six receivers. Arthur Smith, the offensive coordinator, brought up Miller when questioned on Monday about the depth at the position because of their past interactions.
Kyle Allen finding a rhythm! @steelers
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Watkins adds a speed dimension that the Steelers have frequently discussed, despite the fact that he mishandled a punt in the preseason opener. His roster status is by no means assured, though. In the final two preseason games, he will need to do considerably better. The Steelers might also install something external to complete the back half of this space.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
Cut: Rodney Williams, Matt Sokol
Last season, the Steelers only retained three tight ends. But given how much Smith intends to emphasize the position, they will most likely start this season with four. This is especially relevant given that Pruitt has previously played for Smith at Atlanta and Tennessee. Williams, who has a shoulder issue that has kept him out of action, will be vying with Pruitt for the last position.
Fullback (0)
Cut: Jack Colletto
Smith is one of the few offensive coordinators in the current NFL that still starts a fullback on a regular basis, as I have previously reported. The Falcons in Atlanta last season used a fullback on almost thirty percent of their snaps, which was second most in the NFL.
On the initial official depth chart, Heyward was ranked as the starting fullback and could play that position. That would be a clever method to hold onto four tight ends while maintaining a fullback option. Colletto must prove his worth on special teams, though, if they desire a true fullback. Only then will he be eligible for this roster place. Smith emphasized that point once more on Monday. At the last minute, Colletto will be among the more interesting choices.
Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, James Daniels, Dan Moore Jr., Zach Frazier*, Troy Fautanu*, Mason McCormick*, Spencer Anderson
Cut: Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum, Joey Fisher, Tyler Beach, Devery Hamilton, Anderson Hardy, TyKeem Doss
According to this forecast, Jones, Moore, and Fautanu are the only three pure tackles that the Steelers would retain. Does that suffice? They have historically kept nine linemen. That would put Cook and Anderson—who can play all five positions but has mostly focused on guard practice this summer—in competition for the final spot. Anderson is a pure tackle. Whether the Steelers retain one or both will be interesting to watch. The severity of Fautanu’s knee injury might influence this choice.
Defense (25)
Defensive line (7): Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee*
Cut: Dean Lowry, Jacob Slade, Marquiss Spencer, Willington Previlon
Leal had a disappointing sophomore campaign the previous year, and it appears that he has something to prove. He arrived at camp visibly thinner, and if the Steelers switch to a four-man line, he can be useful as a tweener who can play on the edge in sub packages. He seems like a lock to me.
Two players on the fringe that are worth keeping an eye on throughout the preseason are rookie Logan Lee and veteran Dean Lowry, who missed time due to injuries sustained during camp. On Monday, coach Mike Tomlin admitted that Lowry’s window of opportunity to establish his case is closing.
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jeremiah Moon
Cut: Kyron Johnson, Jacoby Windmon*, Julius Welschof*
There was a gap on the roster following Markus Golden’s unexpected retirement just one week after joining the Steelers. Moon, a former Raven who was claimed off waivers in January, is the player I have listed. However, it is also feasible that the Steelers will add a veteran to this roster who might be cut later in the preseason from another team. Depending on how they perceive Leal, he might also take over for this position.
.@steelers defense is over the moon for this sack 😤
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Welschof can stay on the Steelers practice squad without using up one of the 16 available spaces because he is a part of the International Player Pathway, unless he is claimed by another team.
Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson*, Tyler Matakevich
Cut: Mark Robinson, Luquay Washington*
Other: Cole Holcomb (PUP)
The top three are guaranteed because Holcomb will be on the PUP list to begin the season. Matakevich should have the advantage against Robinson, who will also be a crucial player to monitor at the end, because the new kickoff rule will push clubs to give special teams play more weight. Robinson will be a difficult decision to make, and his destiny will rely on how the Steelers decide to construct their roster. I do not think he makes the squad.
Cornerback (5): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Beanie Bishop*, Darius Rush
Cut: Anthony Averett, Grayland Arnold, Thomas Graham Jr., Kyler McMichael
Other: Cameron Sutton (suspended)
Trice had missed his rookie season due to a knee injury, so he was far down the depth chart when camp started. At first, he was receiving very few third-team reps. He has, meanwhile, been improving throughout camp and getting chances to start on the dime defense. He has recently filled in as a starting outside corner during the last two days while Jackson has been out.
Rush might face competition from the seasoned Averett for one of the last berths. After a period of injury, Arnold has spent the previous few days running in the nickel defense with the starting squad. In a good manner, he has been one of camp’s surprises. Tomlin cautioned against reading too much into it, though, since the Steelers are still attempting to assess him following a few days rest. Bishop seems to have a chance to win the nickel eventually. However, they may decide to retain both while Sutton is suspended.
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts*
Cut: Jalen Elliott
Watts is transitioning from a safety in the NFL to a cornerback in college. Since teams do not usually cut rookie draft picks, he should be able to secure a slot. His physical composition is ideal for special teams while he develops more.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Chris Boswell
Punter: Cameron Johnston
Long snapper: Christian Kuntz
Cut: K Matthew Wright
(Photo of rookie DBs Ryan Watts, 29, and Beanie Bishop, 30: Joe Robbins / Associated Press)
