It’s time to select the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster for the opening week of the season. I definitely think there will be a few surprises.
Offense
Quarterbacks (2) – Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick
The Steelers go with just two and the top two are no-brainers. Let’s leave it at that.
Running Backs (4) – DeAngelo Williams, Josh Harris, Dri Archer, Roosevelt Nix
Obviously, Le’Veon Bell will return and a roster spot will have to be vacated. Personally, I think the Steelers will drop Harris and look to add a cast off from another team. The final preseason game convinced me that Nix has overtaken Will Johnson. He’s a better blocker and proved he could be an asset on special teams as well.
Wide Receivers (6) – Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates, Shakim Phillips, Tyler Murphy
Martavis Bryant is in the same boat as Bell. Once he is eligible to return a roster spot must be vacated. I think they go with six WRs because Murphy gives the Steelers the added benefit of an emergency QB if necessary. Phillips is a reach here but I think he’s been the most consistent of those second level guys.
[Update:] Phillips was released today.
Tight Ends (3) – Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Jesse James
Is there really anything to be said here?
Offensive Line (8) – Maurkice Pouncey*, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert, Kelvin Beachum, Alejandro Villanueva, Cody Wallace, Doug Legursky
*Pouncey must be on the roster in order to return from the IR.
With Mike Adams still on the PUP list, Villanueva is the swing tackle. Legursky and Wallace can each play guard if necessary. I believe the Steelers will add a player at this position as well in the next 48 hours.
Defense
Defensive Line (6) – Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Steve McLendon, L.T. Walton, Dan McCullers, Ethan Hemer
This is where my biggest surprise is. I’ll take the cheaper Hemer over Cam Thomas who I think they could probably re-sign in a few weeks much cheaper if they wanted to do so. Walton is very raw but has shown some flashes.
Linebackers (9) – James Harrison, Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Arthur Moats, Terrence Garvin, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Lawrence Timmons, Sean Spence
No surprises here unless you consider Garvin one. He’s been a long-time favorite of Keith Butler and has been one of the more consistent tacklers in the preseason.
Cornerbacks (6) – William Gay, Cortez Allen, Brandon Boykin, Antwon Blake, Kevin Fogg, Doran Grant
Pretty straight-forward here. The Steelers like Grant on special teams and he would likely get picked up if he were relegated to practice squad duty.
[Update:] Fogg was released today.
Safeties (6) – Mike Mitchell, Shamarko Thomas, Will Allen, Rob Golden, Ross Ventrone, Gerod Holliman
I’m not crazy about Golden or Allen but who replaces them? Ventrone is a special teams monster who easily gets a hat. Frankly, there isn’t one guy on this unit that instills any confidence in me. I just have this gut feeling they keep Holliman. Crazy I know.
Specialists (3)
Josh Scobee, Jordan Berry, Greg Warren
I like Berry to win the punting job based strictly on his hang-time and ability to boom the ball on kickoffs if called upon as he was in Buffalo.
[Update]: Brad Wing was traded to the NY Giants for a late round selection.
