As final cuts continue between now and Sunday at 6:00 PM EST, the Pittsburgh Steelers have several difficult decisions to make as it pertains to the last handful of players to make the roster.
With just about 28 hours remaining for cuts to be made at the time of writing, this is how I see the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster looking.
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Quick disclaimer: This isn’t what I would do at every position, per se – though there are some fringe guys who I believe will make the roster who should – but this is what I believe they will do.
Quarterback (4): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, Will Howard
It’s possible they put Howard on IR to start the year, but I believe they’ll keep all four. They shouldn’t, but it looks like they will.
Running back (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Lew Nichols, Travis Homer
I’d give Eli Heidenreich that last spot, but I believe he’ll begin the year on the practice squad. Kaleb Johnson gets cut.
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Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Probably the easiest position group to predict. This is practically written in pen, though I personally would ship Wilson elsewhere and sign a veteran.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski
Nowakowski could be grouped in either the running back or tight end spot, but I’ll put him here. Tonyan had a great preseason, I’d be surprised if he isn’t on the 53-man roster.
Offensive line (9): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones, Gennings Dunker, Brock Hoffman
I believe the last spot will come down to Hoffman and Ryan McCollum. Neither would surprise me if they make the roster as a depth interior piece. The other questions on the offensive line are all on the right side. Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker will both be starters by mid-season.
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Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio, Esezi Otomewo
Rubio has done more than enough to make the roster, he was fantastic in the preseason. If they opt to keep eight, I’d also put Dean Lowry in here. It could end up being Lowry over Otomewo.
EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Jamin Davis was almost a name I put here, but there just isn’t enough space. I’d like to see him get a practice squad spot.
Inside linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
Malik Harrison ends up getting let go, which saves the Steelers just under $5 million against the cap. Bruener had a strong preseason and will continue being a big special teams presence while seeing his defensive snaps increase.
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Defensive back (7): Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter, Jamel Dean, DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Asante Samuel, Daylen Everette
Robert Spears-Jennings is player No. 54 because of Howard getting a roster spot. That’s why it makes absolutely zero sense to keep all four quarterbacks, frankly speaking. Brandin Echols also misses out on a roster spot.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Cam Johnston, Christian Kuntz
No surprises here.
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