Post-Draft Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Keep: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
Cut: Rodney Williams II

Rodney Williams had a really solid first year as a Steelers contributor in 2023, but MyCole Pruitt had to be signed with the intention of him making the team, right? Hot Rod would be a tough cut.

Last year: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

TACKLES (4)

Keep: Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook
Cut: Devery Hamilton, Tyler Beach, Kellen Diesch

The only real question at this position seems to be whether or not the Steelers will field trade offers for Dan Moore Jr. after landing Troy Fautanu in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Last yar: Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, Broderick Jones, Dylan Cook

CENTER/GUARDS (5)

Keep: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Zach Frazier, Nate Herbig, Mason McCormick
Cut: Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Anderson Hardy, Joey Fisher

Spencer Anderson is the first player on the cut list that spent most of last season with the team, but the Steelers drafted two interior linemen in center Zach Frazier and guard Mason McCormick, and only lost one by cutting Mason Cole. Maybe the team will move Anderson back to right tackle and let him battle with Dylan Cook for the second backup spot there. Seems like a better path to the roster.

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, Breiden Fehoko, Jonathan Marshall, Jacob Slade

Last year, the Steelers seemed to have an embarrassment of riches on the defensive line coming out of training camp. They cut Breiden Fehoko, only to have him stick around all season between the practice squad and the active roster.
Fehoko is back, the team lost just one 2023 player (Armon Watts) and added two in free agent Dean Lowry and sixth-round rookie Logan Lee. Now the battle will be even tighter in 2024.

With so much depth, and without a clearly established role in Pittsburgh’s rotation through two seasons, it’s easy to see a player like DeMarvin Leal being traded this offseason, if another team shows interest.

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, Jeremiah Moon
Cut: David Perales, Kyron Johnson, Julius Welschof

I expected the Steelers to bring in someone to push Nick Herbig for the third outside linebacker job, but they haven’t so far. They must really like Jeremiah Moon, who they claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Ravens during the playoffs.

Last year: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig

INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)

Keep: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
Cut: Tyler Murray, Jacoby Windmon

This really depends on Cole Holcomb’s health, as he has not yet returned after mid-season knee surgery last year. If Holcomb starts the season on the PUP list, the Steelers could conceivably just keep four here and go with an extra defensive back.

They could just go with four if Holcomb is healthy, but the changes to the kickoff rules seem to favor linebacker body types and Mark Robinson has been an effective special teamer.

Last year: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson

SAFETIES (4)

Keep: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
Cut: Trenton Thompson, Nathan Meadors, Jalen Elliot

If the Steelers only went with eight linebackers, Trenton Thompson would be the play I’d add back to the 53-man roster. He played well when called upon last season. Otherwise, I suppose he could beat out Miles Killebrew, but it doesn’t seem likely that the Steelers would move on from their All-Pro special teamer.

Last year: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew

CORNERBACKS (6)

Keep: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush, Ryan Watts, Beanie Bishop
Cut: Josiah Scott, Luq Barcoo, Kalon Barnes, Thomas Graham

The Steelers have plenty of big-bodied outside cornerbacks, but almost no small, quick slot options. Undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop takes that place on the roster by default, but someone like Cam Sutton, Chandon Sullivan or Patrick Peterson could easily claim that spot in the slot.

Chris Watts isn’t a guarantee to make the roster, either, and if one of those veterans is signed, it could be Watts against Bishop for the final slot.

Last year: Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, Joey Porter Jr., Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre, Elijah Riley

SPECIALISTS (4)

Keep: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Cut: Matthew Wright

Nothing to see here, though Matthew Wright might be the closest they’ve had to a real challenger for Chris Boswell in a while.

Last year: Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz