Predicting the Steelers Next Five Cuts

The Steelers, just like all the other NFL teams, must cut five players on Tuesday in order to dwindle the roster from 85 players to 80 players. It is never an easy decision for any team to make the cuts, but it is a way to shrink down the herd to get towards the final 53-man roster. So, who could potentially be on the chopping block in Pittsburgh?

Nick Farabaugh and Alan Saunders give their predictions on the five potential players who could be among the releases on Tuesday.

OLB Ron’Dell Carter

The Steelers have three somewhat recent additions to their outside linebacker group in Ron’Dell Carter, Hamilcar Rashed Jr. and James Vaughters. Carter was the first to arrive and has made the smallest impact, so with more than three teams’ worth of players at the position, he’s a cut the team can afford to make before the final preseason game.

DT Donovan Jeter

Donovan Jeter has been solid when he’s gotten reps with the Steelers, but it’s been hard to find consistent ones. With Tyson Alualu, Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi back into the mix, it’s hard to see the team having reps for more than three full teams of defensive linemen. It’s one of the deepest positions on the team right now, with nine players with NFL experience, third-round draft pick DeMarvin Leal and Jeter. With more tough cuts coming, the Steelers could lose some of that depth to the waiver wire, which could make Jeter a good fit for the practice squad.

WR Christian Blake

The Steelers are incredibly deep at wide receiver. Christian Blake thus far has likely been the least impressive of the group. Sure, he looks the part of an NFL receiver and has that past experience with the Falcons that could aid him in that battle to make the team. Still, there have to be more receivers who flashed above him, including Tyler Snead. That makes Blake more expendable than the rest of the receivers.

RB Max Borghi

Since coming to Pittsburgh, Max Borghi has not done much. While the running back room has its fair share of injuries at this point, the top four are rather solidified. It appears that Borghi could be on his way out sooner rather than later. He has only had a few limited snaps, and in those, there has simply not been much he has done. It is more about the opportunity at this juncture, and Borghi has not had enough of it to make a large impact.

OT Trent Scott

There is no secret that the Steelers have been displeased with their offensive line play up to this point. They have flipped the third-team offensive line on its head by releasing a number of players on that line over the last few weeks. That could easily continue, and Trent Scott has experience in the NFL but has not shown enough yet. When he has played, Scott has been beaten too many times and has played with sloppy technique. He could find himself on the outside looking in.