The key word in the above title is “June.” Meaning, we have several weeks still until the Pittsburgh Steelers report to St. Vincent College in Latrobe for 2022 Training Camp. While there are still any number of possibilities that remain, the 90 guys expected to show for Camp are largely in place. With this thought in mind, I’m laying out what I expect to see in terms of the Steelers’ 53-man roster for the season.
Quarterbacks (3) Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Chris Oladokun
All we have to base things on is a three-day mini-camp where first round pick Kenny Pickett spent his time with the third team. That doesn’t mean a ton as Mike Tomlin loves for his rookies to prove themselves. In terms of Mason Rudolph, I just don’t see an avenue for him unless there’s an injury. While a seventh-round pick is essentially a ‘free agent,’ the Steelers clearly feel like there’s some potential with Oladokun and he’s incredible cheap.
Running Backs (4) Najee Harris, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Derek Watt
I’m not buying the “Watt will be a cap casualty” talk. Connor Heyward seems destined for a tight end spot or H-back at the very least. Watt is incredibly valuable on Special Teams and the Steelers aren’t against the cap as they usually are. Harris and Snell are no-brainers and I’m going with McFarland simply because the UDFA’s Mateo Durant and Jaylen Warren just haven’t had a shot yet.
Wide Receivers (5) Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski
Olszewski was brought in to return punts and kickoffs but it would not shock me to see him used a bit offensively in the slot. Austin is big-time quick and fast, but man is he little. They have to utilize him properly. Pickens will see playing time based strictly on how well he picks up the offense and the adjustments on the fly. Johnson and Claypool are the “veterans” of the unit. We know what Johnson is facing in terms of his contract and what he can do on the field. The wild card for me is Claypool. If he doesn’t bounce back from a very disappointing 2021 then his future becomes cloudy. Miles Boykin is a wild-card here to watch.
Tight End (3) Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
With 60 receptions in his rookie season, Freiermuth is a star on the rise. Gentry has made himself into a quality second option and that leaves the third tight end in the air. Kevin Rader is a really good blocker and showed some skills catching the ball in last year’s preseason. If Heyward can block well enough, then he becomes the guy for sure. If he struggles in that area then I think the decision becomes more difficult. Heyward’s special teams abilities do work in his favor.
Offensive Line (9) Chuks Okorafor, Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, John LeGlue, Trent Scott
The first five I listed are my projected starters. Haeg has position flexibility because he can play anywhere but specifically at guard and tackle. LeGlue was a total unknown this time last year but he acquitted himself well in fill-in action at guard. The experiment of Green at center is over for now and I think he probably challenges Dotson for the left guard spot. Scott could be the ‘swing’ tackle as he has starting experience with both the LA Chargers and Carolina Panthers.
Defensive Line (7) Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Demarvin Leal, Montravious Adams, Larry Ogunjobi
The Steelers typically go with six along the defensive front and if they do again here, Wormley could be the casualty. While he’s shown some ability to rush the passer, he struggles big time against the run. If you can’t stop the run then you just can’t play. For now though, I’ll go with seven because both Heyward and Alualu are advancing in age. Adams was a pleasant surprise last season and Loudermilk improved as the season wore on. Ogunjobi would have to be really bad not to make this roster.
Inside Linebackers (5) Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Buddy Johnson, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen
Had Johnson not dealt with so many injuries last season he may have seen more time on the field. If that continues this year then he’s likely gone. I’ll take the optimistic approach and say he stays healthy and shows exactly what the defensive staff has seen from him in practice which has been good. Spillane is a wily veteran who knows the defense despite his limitations as a pass defender. Allen makes it over Ulysees Gilbert because he’s more durable and seems to have the favor of the coaches. Bush and Jack are locked in as starters.
Outside Linebackers (4) T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Tuzar Skipper, Genard Avery
Watt and Highsmith have proven to be durable and obviously quite effective but they need breaks at times and there’s really no one that I trust to put on the field right now in their stead. That said, Skipper knows the defense and Avery is a veteran who should be up to speed quickly. While I’d like to see a veteran whose a cap casualty added during the late Training Camp period I’ll stay with just four OLBs for now.
Safety (4) Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killabrew, Tre Norwood
Killabrew actually made a few nice plays defensively last season but let’s face it; he’s a Special Teams demon and that’s why he’s here. Edmunds returned at a good price and is incredibly durable. Norwood flashed several times last season and I’m hoping that translates to even more success in 2022. I think the presence of Karl Joseph, a former first round pick, will make for an interesting battle but ultimately the Steelers take Norwood. Then there’s Minkah… The highest-paid safety in pro football.
Cornerbacks (6) Levi Wallace, Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Arthur Maulet, Justin Layne
I think Layne survives due to his solid Special Teams play but he’s on thin ice against James Pierre and several other guys. Witherspoon was really good the more he played last year and Wallace should be a nice addition as well. Maulet will anchor the nickel spot which worries me a bit due to inconsistencies as a cover guy. Sutton is very durable and overall is pretty consistent despite not being flashy.
Specialists (3) Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
Boswell is likely to get a new deal which will make him one of the top paid kickers in the NFL and he’s deserving. Despite a poor season a few years back, he is still the fourth most accurate kicker in league history. Harvin has to be given a ‘redshirt’ of sorts. Dealing with his father’s illness and ultimate passing could not have been easy. Should his issues continue in camp however, the pressure will really be on.
