There are just hours until the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL need to cut down from 90 players to 53. The Steelers have already started that process, releasing 11 on Monday, and will have to get the rest of the way to 53 by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Who is in and who is out? Let’s take a look with our updated and final Steelers 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Keep: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Cut: John Rhys Plumlee
While John Rhys Plumlee has made a push with his versatility, expect him to start his NFL career on the practice squad. Russell Wilson is too old, and Justin Fields plays the game too recklessly for the Steelers to not have a solid No.3.
Last year: Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Keep: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Cut: Aaron Shampklin, Jack Colletto, Daijun Edwards, Jonathan Ward, La’Mical Perine
There could be a case for Jonathan Ward to make the roster, as I think he’s been the beset of the rest of this bunch, but his late-camp hamstring injury makes his status a bit questionable. The Steelers have enough similar backs that they should feel good about at least one of them falling to the practice squad.
We saw a lot of Jack Colletto at training camp, but not as much in the preseason, and he was working with the second-string special teams units. That’s a sign to me that he’s headed back to the practice squad
Last year: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Keep: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller
Cut: Dez Fitzpatrick, Jacob Copeland, Quez Watkins, Duece Watts, Jaray Jenkins, T.J. Luther
I still think it’s more likely than not that the Steelers will bring in someone from the outside to bolster that wide receiver group, whether it’s Brandon Aiyuk or someone like John Metchie III.
But something has changed since my last projection that has Scotty Miller back on the 53, at least for now, and that’s him stepping forward as perhaps the best of the team’s punt gunners throughout the preseason.
Last year: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Keep: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
Cut: Rodney Williams II, Matt Sokol
Rodney Williams II remains one of the toughest cuts on the roster. He’s a good special teamer and a good tight end. His camp injury, and another vet stacked on top of him in the form of MyCole Pruitt, prove to be to much to overcome. He’s someone the team should expect to lose on waivers.
Last year: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
TACKLES (3)
Keep: Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu
IR: Dylan Cook
Cut: Devery Hamilton, Anderson Hardy, TyKeem Doss
If Troy Fautanu isn’t healthy enough to dress in Week 1, they’ll have to add another body to this list. If he is, between the three listed and Spencer Anderson’s ability to play tackle, they’ll have enough to get by until Dylan Cook gets back from the IR.
Last yar: Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, Broderick Jones, Dylan Cook
CENTER/GUARDS (6)
Keep: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum
IR: Nate Herbig
Cut: Tyler Beach, Joey Fisher
Spencer Anderson has probably been the best Steelers offensive lineman compared to my expectations since the start of training camp, but it took an injury (or two) for them to find a way for him to get to the 53-man roster. Ryan McCollum is probably better suited to the practice squad, but we’ll put him here for now. It’s a deep unit, and that depth is being tested.
Last year: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Mason Cole, Nate Herbig, Spencer Anderson
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7)
Keep: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal
Cut: Logan Lee, Marquiss Spencer, Jacob Slade, Willington Previlon
This seems like it’s been set in stone for a while now. Logan Lee and Willington Previlon are both pretty good players, but they’re not going to come all that close to cracking that top seven. Lee missed practice on Monday, and may actually end up on the IR instead of the practice squad.
Last year: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
Keep: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson
Cut: Jeremiah Moon, Julius Welschof, Marcus Haynes
A very poorly time injured to Jeremiah Moon is going to cost him his roster spot, with Kyron Johnson as the beneficiary. The only question is if Moon is healthy enough to get cut or if he’ll end up on the IR. Welschof has been destined for the practice squad, but a knee injury against the Detroit Lions could have him IR-bound, as well.
Last year: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
Keep: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson
PUP: Cole Holcomb
Cut: Luquay Washington, Jacoby Windmon, Kyahva Tezino
Two linebackers to primarily play on special teams — Tyler Matakevich and Mark Robinson — seems like a luxury, and it will be untenable when Cole Holcomb eventually returns, but this should work for now. The coverage units need the help.
Last year: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson
SAFETIES (4)
Keep: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
IR: Ryan Watts
Cut: Jalen Elliot
Ryan Watts played well enough to make the 53-man roster after moving from cornerback to strong safety, but he wasn’t excelling on special teams, so he was probably a candidate to not get a helmet in the early going. That was before his stinger suffered on the final live play at Detroit. With his health in question, and no specific role waiting for him anyway, IR seems to make sense.
Last year: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew
CORNERBACKS (6)
Keep: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop, Thomas Graham,
Suspended: Cam Sutton
Cut: Kyler McMichael, Zyon Gilbert, Kiondre Thomas
The Steelers seem to have lost some faith over Beanie Bishop down the stretch run of the preseason, thanks to a sub-par first preseason game and an injury that occurred just after. I think Bishop is still in like to start in Week 1, but we’ll keep Thomas Graham around as slot cornerback insurance for now.
Last year: Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, Joey Porter Jr., Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre, Elijah Riley
SPECIALISTS (3)
Keep: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Cut: Matthew Wright
The only drama here was whether or not they’d be able to trade Matthew Wright.
Last year: Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz