The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their final preseason game against the Detroit Lions. Every year, it feels like a few veterans have their roster spots become shakier by the day. However, who could some of those veterans be on the 2022 Steelers roster?
Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh, and Cale Berger broke down the Steelers veterans with the shakiest roster spots. Our power rankings were compiled with each first-place vote getting 10 points and so on and so forth.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Justin Layne
Justin Layne was a pretty minor participant in the Steelers defense in 2021 and in the final season of team control, he doesn’t figure to have a larger role. Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace are entrenched and slot men Arthur Maulet and Tre Norwood are well ahead of Layne in the pecking order. The Steelers kept six corners last year, but with the versatility of that group, they probably don’t need to do it again.
Marcus Allen
After playing 23% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in 2020, Allen dropped to just 6% last season. And while he is a key special teamer, the team could still be looking to go younger and cheaper with their reserve inside linebackers. Enter seventh-round pick Mark Robinson, who has impressed through the team’s first two preseason games. He has recorded ten total tackles and a game-flipping strip sack so far. Pittsburgh could see something in the physical, younger Robinson, which could result in the older, more wiry Allen receiving his walking papers.
Derek Watt
Watt has the highest cap hit among fullbacks league-wide at over $4.7 million for this coming season, yet the Steelers have used him sparingly over the last two seasons. While he has certainly been a fixture on special teams, Watt played just 7% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2021. Regardless of his special teams contributions and familial lineage, Watt usage simply does not justify his price tag. Pittsburgh also has rookie Connor Heyward, who’s versatility could allow him to fill Watt small role seamlessly.
Miles Killebrew
Killebrew signed a new 2-year contract this past offseason with the Steelers, but more and more, it feels like his roster spot is slipping from him. On defense, Killebrew is largely limited to playing only in their big nickel package. Still, he was largely rostered due to his standout special teams ability. With a pec injury holding him out for most of training camp and the fact that Killebrew has yet to suit up for a preseason game just yet, that spot gets shakier by the day. He could certainly still make the final cut due to that special teams ability, but he has to be available.
Henry Mondeaux
This is less about Henry Mondeaux and more about how loaded the Steelers are defensive line. While Mondeaux has been serviceable in the past, the Steelers are at least seven deep at the position, and players like Carlos Davis and Khalil Davis have put the charge on for Mondeaux’s spot, too. Barring injuries, there is unlikely to be a spot for Mondeaux on the final 53-man roster. He feels destined for the practice squad rather than sticking with the Steelers on the main roster for at least the start of the season.