With the NFL Draft coming to an end, the Pittsburgh Steelers off-season is beginning to ramp up again. Rookie mini-camp just concluded, Organized Team Activities [OTA] (May 21-23, May 28-30 and June 3-6.), Mini-camp (June 11-13) and in July, Training Camp at St. Vincent College are all coming soon. As these programs begin and end, the Steelers staff will get a better feel for the players currently on the roster. There will be cuts, signings and injuries that will change the roster outlook, but in May, this is what the final roster may look like.
* I have ordered these positions in depth chart order, so starters at the top, back-ups below, and so on.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3)
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Joshua Dobbs
The Steelers will carry three quarterbacks. I fully expect Mason Rudolph to take full control of the top-backup spot to Roethlisberger. Dobbs should then be the number three. If newly signed QB Delvin Hodges has a very good camp, perhaps the Steelers deal Dobbs for a 2020 pick? Longshot, but I am here for it.
Running Back (3)
James Conner
Jaylen Samuels
Benny Snell
Conner is obviously the starter with Samuels as the top-backup. Fans are a bit too quick to write off Samuels but he came along very nicely in 2018. Snell will definitely have a role, but it will be behind Conner and Samuels.
Fullback (1)
Roosevelt Nix
Nix is undefeated.
Wide Receiver (6)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Y)
Donte Moncrief (X)
James Washington (Z)
Diontae Johnson
Ryan Switzer
Johnny Holton
Going with six here becuase I truly believe the Steelers will rotate a lot of these guys. Eli Rogers doesn’t belong on this roster, sorry to break it to his fan club. Watch for Diontae Spencer to push the envelope in this group. Newly signed Holton has the skill-set to play both wide receiver and special teams, as does Switzer.
Tight End (3)
Vance McDonald
TBD Free Agent/Trade
Xavier Grimble
Biggest surprise thus far, Zach Gentry doesn’t make the team. This team cannot be comfortable with Xavier Grimble as the top backup. I believe the Steelers will add a blocking-type tight end to the mix before or early training camp. Gentry needs time and doesn’t offer much at this point. I could see the Steelers carrying him so he stays around for next year, though.
Offensive Tackle (4)
Alejandro Villanueva (LT)
Matt Feiler (RT)
Chuk Okorafor
Jerald Hawkins
Shouldn’t be any shock here. Zach Banner could make a push if any of the above mentioned are hindered with an injury.
Interior Offensive Line (5)
Ramon Foster (LG)
Maurkice Pouncey (C)
David Decastro (RG)
B.J. Finney
J.C. Hassenauer
Hassenauer is a bold prediction for me. I believe the Steelers really need a back-up center since BJ Finney isn’t the greatest there. Hassenauer played exceptionally well in the AAF. Solid group. Sadly, I don’t see Derwin Gray on this team come final cuts.
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (6)
Cameron Heyward (RE)
Stephon Tuitt (LE)
Javon Hargrave (NT)
Tyson Alualu
Isaiah Buggs
Daniel McCullers
I hope I am wrong here with McCullers, but until he is unhinged from the roster, he stays. The Steelers keep signing more and more defensive linemen to compete, none have usurped Big Dan though. Could this be the year?
Inside Linebackers (5)
Devin Bush (Mack)
Vince Williams (Buck)
Mark Barron
Tyler Matakevich
Ulysees Gilbert III
I loved the Gilbert selection this year. His athleticism and speed will be a huge asset on special teams. He’s going to really shock some people. Matakevich offers little on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s a veteran who knows the defense and is a special teams stud. I think Tegray Scales could make a push.
Outside Linebacker (EDGE) (5)
TJ Watt (ROLB)
Bud Dupree (LOLB)
Ola Adeniyi
Anthony Chickillo
Sutton Smith
It’s time for Ola to show out. If he stays healthy I think the Steelers are going to rotate him in with Dupree a good bit, especially on obvious passing downs. I was very iffy on Smith making this team, I just think the Steelers are going to highly value his speed, potential position flexibility, and special teams ability.
Cornerback (5)
Joe Haden (RCB)
Steven Nelson (LCB)
Mike Hilton (SCB)
Cam Sutton
Justin Layne
I really really wanted to put Kameron Kelly on this team. I really think he could make it, whether it be as a cornerback or a safety. I ran out of spots for him. If the Steelers carry one less OLB or IOL, perhaps he makes the team. The depth here isn’t very experienced. Poor Brian Allen was never switched to free safety when he came into the league. He never really had the opportunity to shine, I hope he does elsewhere.
Safety (4)
Sean Davis (FS)
Terrell Edmunds (SS)
Marcus Allen
PJ Locke III
Marcus Allen makes the team as the starting dime-backer. That is roughly 300 snaps in 2019. He better have a great camp. PJ Locke is a missile and will be very opportunistic and bring a ton of energy to special teams.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1)
Chris Boswell
Hope the best for Boswell that he gets his sh*t together. I’m banking on it. It would benefit him and the Steelers both greatly.
Punter (1)
Jordan Berry
I really wish the Steelers would have had a better plan for this position. Too many times have the Steelers needed a long punt and were then supplied with a short, tasteless pooch. With Berry’s contract and Ian Berryman‘s lack of a contract, Berry keeps his job. Berryman needs to have a stellar camp, while Berry a lackluster one for the incumbent to be usurped.
Long Snapper (1)
Kameron Canaday
Solid.
Practice Squad (11)
RB Travon McMillan
WR Diontae Spencer
TE Christian Scotland-Williamson
TE Zach Gentry
IOL Fred Johnson
IOL Derwin Gray
LB Tegray Scales
OLB Tuzar Skipper
CB Alexander Myres
S Dravon Askew-Henry
K Matthew Wright
The Steelers can carry 11 as opposed to 10 due to Christian Scotland-Williamson being eligible for the International Players Program. He is roster exempt. This was a tough list to comprise as some players are more than definitely suitable for the practice squad. Gentry ends up here as a former draft pick, as does Derwin Gray. I liked the little film I saw of Alexander Myres out of Houston, same goes for Fred Johnson from Florida. Safety depth is needed so Askew-Henry makes the cut. I chose to keep Wright on the roster due to any potential Boswell meltdown or injury that may occur.
Sorry to break it to you Chris but Eli Rogers ain’t going nowhere anytime soon and you know it. Why Holton? He’s nothing more than a return specialist and let’s fact it there is no such thing as a return game anymore in the NFL so unless Holton turns into a solid WR Eli is the guy. Eli has a developed repour with Ben something that you obviously doubt and don’t say otherwise cause if you didn’t doubt it you wouldn’t have put Holton who hasn’t shown anything in his career on the roster.
Eli Rogers has ONE career 100-yard game and it was in 2016. Has done nothing since. Switzer is better on offense and as a return guy. Holton can help on special teams AND as a receiver.
So because Rogers has hand only 1 100yrd he can’t stay that’s harsh. Holton won’t do jack squat on Special Teams and you know that. As far Holton being helpful as a WR you must see something that the Eagles and Raiders didn’t see in him. Rogers will end up on the opening day 53 man roster whether you like it or not. See answer me this question if you can Chris: Why cut a WR who Ben likes and trusts and who by the way has a good repour with Ben? I guess since you feel that having an unproven WR and Holton is just that UNPROVEN then why not just cut JuJu and Switzer as well?
I truly think they will explore and have plans on using Mark Barron where he originally started his career at safety.