Too Early Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction

Cutting players is never fun for NFL franchises, but it is a part of the business. For some, they will never play another down, others; they may end up in the Canadian Football League. For a select few, it is a fresh start with a new team. The Steelers must choose their best 53 players.

Quarterback [3]
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Landry Jones

This was a bit tough for me since I have no idea what the plan is for the ‘fourth’ quarterback. The Steelers only carry three and I don’t think Tomlin will want two backups with no NFL snaps behind Roethlisberger. They could try and trade Jones or Dobbs. They could try and sneak Dobbs onto the practice squad, or perhaps an “injury” gets him on the IR so he’s back next year when Jones’ contract runs up.

Running Back [3]
Le’Veon Bell
James Conner
Jaylen Samuels

The Steelers could carry a fourth running back if Samuels can’t offer much on special teams as a returner. Let’s hope it does not come to that. The three running backs are pretty self explanatory.

Fullback [1]
Roosevelt Nix

Nix is a Pro Bowl fullback who should be more heavily involved as a blocker.

Wide Receiver [6]
Antonio Brown
JuJu Smith-Schuster
James Washington
Derrius Heyward Bey
Marcus Tucker
Quadree Henderson

It seems throughout the 2017-2018 offseason that the Steelers have been flirting with the possibility of replacing DHB with another special teams ace. The team brought in Matthew Slater for a visit in free agency period and Russell Gage for a Pre-Draft visit. So far, he looks to be safe. Henderson will handle return duties and Tucker can add value as a backup slot receiver.

Tight End [3]
Vance McDonald
Jesse James
Jake McGee

Thank god, Grimble is finally not on the team. He has been a huge disappointment and has never met expectations. The team finally opts for the 3rd tight end to be one who is mainly has blocking priorities.

Offensive Line [9]
Alejandro Villanueva
Ramon Foster
Maurkice Pouncey
David DeCastro
Marcus Gilbert
BJ Finney
Jared Hawkins
Chukwuma Okorafor
Matt Feiler

This group is pretty self explanatory. The team seems to really like Feiler. Hawkins is the guy I would be the most worried about being on this list since the team opted to draft Okorafor in the third round.
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Offense [25]

Defensive Tackle [2]
Javon Hargrave
Joshua Frazier

I could see Greg Gilmore making the team in Frazier’s stead, but Frazier was a draft pick and has the defensive line coach in his corner. Dan McCullers is sent to his couch, finally.

Defensive End [4]
Cameron Heyward
Stephon Tuitt
Tyson Alualu
LT Walton

I really like what UDFA Vickers offers, but these players have established snaps in the NFL. I would be surprised if he could beat out LT Walton.

Inside Linebacker [4]
Vince Williams
Jon Bostic
Tyler Matakevich
Matthew Thomas

Only four inside linebackers? Yes. The Steelers seem to think Matakevich can back up both inside linebacker spots. UDFA Thomas makes the team as a special teams virtuoso and can push Matakevich for the back up mack spot.

Outside Linebacker [5]
Bud Dupree
TJ Watt
Anthony Chickillo
Keion Adams
Adeniyi

This position has very thin depth. Dupree, Watt and Adams all have some sort of injury history attached to them. The team needs to be prepared.

Cornerback [5]
Artie Burns
Joe Haden
Mike Hilton
Cameron Sutton
Brian Allen

Like the outside linebacker group, the cornerback position has its share of injury history. Sutton has the versatility and ability to backup both the outside and slot cornerback spots.

Safety [5]
Sean Davis
Morgan Burnett
Terrell Edmunds
Marcus Allen
Nat Berhe

I think this group is set in stone unless another safety has a Mike Hilton-like training camp.
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Defense [25]

Specialists [3]
Chris Boswell
Jordan Berry
Cameron Kanady

Business as usual.

Practice Squad [11]
RB Jarvion Franklin
C Patrick Morris
OG RJ Prince
WR Trey Griffey
TE Pharoah McKever
DL Greg Gilmore
DL Kendal Vickers
LB Keith Kelsey
OLB Farrington Huguenin
CB Trey Johnson
S Malik Golden