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. With injuries and changing my mind factoring into things, there are a few changes from my first roster prediction . The Pittsburgh 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 also 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. I expect Samuels and Conner to get the bulk of touches.
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
Eli Rogers
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. Rogers and Tucker can add value as a backup slot receivers. Rogers being re-signed convinces me he’ll make the team, but I don’t think he’s a shoe-in. Having both Rogers and Tucker making the team seems a bit counterproductive, but I think one or the other doesn’t get a helmet. Justin Hunter will again push for a roster spot, but adds no special teams value. If the team is concerned about the outside receiver spot, Hunter has a much better chance to make the roster, to supplement that role. The wide receiver depth past the top three is a bit concerning.
Tight End [3]
Vance McDonald
Jesse James
Xavier Grimble
Sadly Jake McGee is facing an injury and will be out for the 2018 season. The team will have to roll with Xavier Grimble unless an unknown name tight end comes up and shows out. I am crossing my fingers for the ladder. I’d love for the Steelers to pay very close attention to the waiver wire come cuts at this position.
Offensive Line [8]
Alejandro Villanueva
Ramon Foster
Maurkice Pouncey
David DeCastro
Marcus Gilbert
BJ Finney
Chukwuma Okorafor
Matt Feiler
This group is pretty self explanatory. Sadly Jerald Hawkins will be on the sideline for 2018 with an injury. Matt Feiler is attempting to be the new utility lineman after Chris Hubbard left in free agency.
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Offense [24]
Defensive Tackle [2]
Javon Hargrave
Greg Gilmore
Gilmore can play both defensive tackle and defensive end. The team values versatility. I had Frazier here before because he was a draft pick and was coached by the current defensive line coach, but I have to play the versatile guy.
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 [5]
Vince Williams
Jon Bostic
Tyler Matakevich
Matthew Thomas
Matt Galambos
UDFA Thomas makes the team as a special teams virtuoso with rare athleticism. Galambos is my BOLD prediction. I don’t think the team decides to keep LJ Fort due to the Steelers opting to sign Sean Spence off the couch rather than start Fort. I don’t think there is confidence in Fort.
Outside Linebacker [5]
Bud Dupree
TJ Watt
Anthony Chickillo
Keion Adams
Olasunkanmi 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. I am curious to see if UDFA Trey Johnson can make this decision a bit tougher.
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 [26]
Specialists [3]
Chris Boswell
Jordan Berry
Cameron Kanady
Business as usual.
Practice Squad [11]
QB Joshua Dobbs
RB Jarvion Franklin
C Patrick Morris
WR Quadree Henderson
TE Pharoah McKever
DL Joshua Frazier
DL Kendal Vickers
LB Keith Kelsey
OLB Farrington Huguenin
CB Trey Johnson
S Malik Golden
4 comments
I’m looking at this roster and i see two glaring weaknesses. ILB and RB. In my humble opinion i would keep 4 ILB’s , then comes the Steeler weakness Conner is not better than Ridley. Conner is totally unproven and Ridley is a proven commodity. His 2012 season 1,200 yards and 14 td’s speaks for itself. And there’s not much wear on the tires. But since Conner is a homegrown product he get the nod. RB none the less is super thin and could be a problem. I don’t see a problem so much at ILB unless we repeat the mistake of playing our base defense on 3rd and long. I don;t see this defense being successful playing 2 ILBers over 25 % of the time. As they did that last year. BTW THANK GOD FOOTBALL IS BACK.
2012 was 6 years ago, Bob. That’s the year Trent Richardson and RG3 were drafted. Long time ago, especially in running back-years.
I hear you but like i said there is not much wear on the tires. And BTW Bell is just about as old with way more wear on the tires. Trent Richardson was never a hard worker, and RG3 really isn’t comparable. Like i said there weakness is there strength. It shouldn’t be next man up, it should be best man up. Don’t make me list the Tomlin favorites that had no business playing. Oh but i will make a short list, Jarvis Jones, Issac Redman, Will Allen, Will Johnson, Mike Adams, Antwon Blake.
I had this funny thought, what if after Gurley’s contract Bell and or his agent think. We can get a 4 year 80 mil. contract not play this year and still make guaranteed money.