Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection: Two More Players Coming

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to training camp. The players arrived at Saint Vincent College, set to begin their final journey before the 2025 regular season.

There's going to be plenty of moves between now and the end of the preseason, but only a few that are significant enough to change their 53-man squad. Heading into Day 1 of camp, here's how the Pittsburgh roster is likely to shake out at the end of cuts.

Quarterback

- Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph

The Steelers easiest position to guess is quarterback. Mason Rudolph will be the backup, with Will Howard being the third, and maybe the team decides to keep Skylar Thompson on the practice squad. But chances are, unless something drastic happens, it's an easy three to predict.

Running Back

- Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

The Steelers have five running backs heading into training camp but they aren't going to keep all of them. Cordarrelle Patterson is the biggest question mark right now, with the team having big plans for him a year ago, but them not working out. Now, they have Kenneth Gainwell to return kicks and be the team's RB3. Really, there's no room for Patterson or Trey Sermon.

Tight End

- Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

The Steelers will utilize all four of their tight ends this year. The group is one of their strongest and is going to be a focal point to the offense. Expect Jonnu Smith to play all over the place and Pat Freiermuth to get plenty of looks this season. The four above are nearly locks to make the team.

Wide Receiver

- DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Robert Woods, Other

This is where things start to get interesting. General manager Omar Khan sure sounds like he enjoys the group of wide receivers the team has now, but only time will tell if that works out. With plenty of options out there via trade and free agency, it's hard to see the Steelers avoiding an addition all summer.

It might not be immediate, but if Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are stars from the jump, expect Pittsburgh to start looking at options.

Offensive Line (Interior)

- Zach Frazier, Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Max Scharping

The Steelers choose to keep an extra interior option instead of another swing tackle. A move that may not look great on paper, but one they've done in the past. This year, Spencer Anderson and Ryan McCollum are the backups at guard and center, with Max Scharping making his way into the fold as the 53rd guy.

Offensive Tackle

- Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson

Calvin Anderson signed a two-year contract this offseason, indicating that the team believes he's their swing tackle this season. Dylan Cook will get a chance to beat him out, but until anyone steps on the field, all signs point to Anderson being the backup to Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu.

Defensive Tackle

- Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Daniel Ekuale

The Steelers toughest competition this offseason will be at defensive tackle. They have their starters in Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon. But everyone behind them is going to compete, and there are some names worth watching on that list.

Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Daniel Ekuale, DeMarvin Leal, Logan Lee and Dean Lowry are all going to fight for the final three spots on the team.

For Leal, it wouldn't be surprising if he's traded before the start of the season. Logan Lee will likely end up on the practice squad, and Lowry's time with the team may be over after Ekuale's arrival.

Edge Rusher

- T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

The Steelers edge rusher group is crowded as well, but it's impossible for the team to move on from rookie Jack Sawyer or third-year stud Nick Herbig. So, Jeremiah Moon gets the short end of the stick, leaving Pittsburgh with four options, and maybe a special teams guy on the practice squad.

Inside Linebacker

- Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener

Pittsburgh's inside linebacker competition will also be fun to watch. Malik Harrison has a lot of AFC North experience and special teams ability. Plus, his inside, outside versatility is going to give him an upper-hand in the competition.

Carson Bruener versus Mark Robinson will be the real battle, but Bruener will hold the edge. Unless the seventh-round pick isn't capable of playing in the NFL, he's younger and has family ties to the organization. Robinson is on the last year of his rookie deal, making him an easy name to move on from.

Cornerback

- Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop

While the Steelers cornerback room looks pretty loaded with plenty of competition, there really isn't much. Beanie Bishop versus Donte Kent will be the two to watch, and even though Bishop makes it here, it's not a guarantee by any means.

James Pierre is the other odd man out as the team looks to keep Brandin Echols and Cory Trice as backups to Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay.

Safety

- DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew, Other

Pittsburgh needs another safety. Right now, Juan Thornhill is set to start, which is fine. If the Steelers believe he's capable of being their free safety to replace Minkah Fitzpatrick, that's not a terrible decision. But they have NO ONE behind him.

If the Steelers were to make just one more move this offseason, safety is the bet. They have options in free agency like Justin Simmons and Jordan Whitehead. Maybe they make another blockbuster trade. But don't expect this group to be the same heading into the regular season.

The Steelers will add someone to their room.

Specialists

- Chris Bowswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)

Corliss Waitman is a great piece to keep on the practice squad if the Steelers don't lose him to another team. But Ben Sauls isn't beating out Chris Boswell and Christian Kuntz didn't sign a two-year deal this offseason for nothing.

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