Steelers way-too-early 53 man roster prediction
With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to take a way-too-early look at the Steelers 53 man roster. This is simply a fun exercise to see how the roster could shape going into the 2017 season.
Some position groups are more or less locks, but not all. The biggest competition will be at wide receiver and cornerback. Both positions were infused with free agent signings and draft picks this offseason and will likely be decided in training camp and the preseason.
Let’s take a look at how the 53 roster man roster may look like in September.
Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Josh Dobbs (3)
No real surprises here. With Zach Mettenberger being recently released, this group is all but solidified. Dobbs could push Jones for his number two backup spot, but Jones’ experience starting in the system likely secures that spot for me.
Running back: Le’Veon Bell, James Conner, Knile Davis (3)
Bell and Conner are locks on this roster, nobody will question that. The competition for the #3 spot is open though. Fitzgerald Toussaint has been around for awhile and has managed to flash his talent before, but the #3 spot’s main job will primarily be to return kick-offs. That is an area Knile Davis is experienced at and has done well in his career. Davis’ kickoff return ability may give him an edge over Toussaint.
Fullback: Roosevelt Nix, David Johnson (2)
No surprises here. Nix is a special teams demon and a force opening holes for Bell. Johnson isn’t a sexy player by any means, but he is versatile and can play both tight end and fullback. The Steelers love players who can wear multiple hats.
Tight end: Ladarius Green, Jesse James, Scott Orndoff (3)
While Green has struggled with injuries during his tenure, the coaching staff appears to have confidence in him still. James was a fairly reliable player during 2016 and is a great #2 option at tight end – both of these guys are safe. I think a surprise player to make the roster will be former Pitt tight end, Scott Orndoff. The Steelers have had undrafted free agent’s surprise and make the roster before. I think Orndoff will come into camp and flash his potential as a blocking tight end. Xavier Grimble has never proven to be a consistent option for the Steelers so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him surpassed by Orndoff.
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey (6)
Now, this is a tough position. It’s hard to declare any of these players locks beyond Brown and JuJu. Bryant and Coates have to prove they can be dependable players, Rogers needs to show growth, and Heyward-Bey must show he can be a reliable option and continue to thrive on special teams. Ideally, Bryant’s spot is safe, but considering he’s returning from a year-long suspension it makes sense to be apprehensive about him.
A dark horse in this race is Justin Hunter, who the Steelers signed in free agency. He has a similar profile to Coates/Heyward-Bey and could push either of these guys off the roster if he can flash the ability that got him drafted in the 2nd round years ago. Like most depth players, special teams will play a significant role in who makes the roster. Demarcus Ayers and Cobi Hamilton will also fight for a roster spot, but the cards appear to be stacked against them. The wide receiver battle in training camp this year is going to be exciting!
Offensive line: Alejandro Villanueva, Marcus Gilbert, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, Jerald Hawkins, B.J. Finney, Chris Hubbard (8)
The Steelers usually like to keep more than 8 offensive lineman, but with the depth at other positions some groups will have to suffer. It helps too that the depth the Steeler have at offensive lineman is very solid. Jerald Hawkins, 2016 4th round pick, impressed in training camp but unfortunately went down with an injury and missed the 2016 season. Assuming he’s healthy he will be the primary tackle back-up. Finney can played both guard and center and proved last year he is capable of starting; he started the at left guard versus the Buffalo Bills in 2016 – the game where Bell rushed for 236 yards. Hubbard is an experienced back-up who has proven he can play any spot on the offensive line. A dark horse in this race is Brian Mihalik; he is a converted defensive end who finished the 2016 season on the 53 man roster. He could impressive come training camp and push for a roster spot.
Defensive line: Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, Tyson Alualu, Letterius Walton, Daniel McCullers (6)
Another competition that probably won’t be too intense. Heyward, Tuitt, and Hargrave are locked in as the starters on the defensive line and aren’t going anywhere. Alualu was signed as a DE/DT this offseason and is primed to be the main back-up. Walton’s job seems safe; he’s built perfectly for a 3-4 defensive end and played solid last year. While McCullers play during his tenure hasn’t been too inspiring, there isn’t really anybody to compete for his job. DE/DT Francis Kallon was signed as an undrafted free agent and has potential, but he will likely need a year or two on the practice squad before being able to contribute.
Outside linebackers: James Harrison, Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, Arthur Moats, Anthony Chickillo (5)
While the top of the depth chart is safe for the outside linebackers, things could get competitive at the bottom. The Steelers drafted Keion Adams in the 7th round of the 2017 NFL draft and he has the potential to push Chickillo or Moats for a roster spot. With Harrison, Dupree, and Watt likely to be the primary pass rushers this season, guys like Moats and Chickillo will be relied on mostly for special teams. If Adams can prove himself in this area, he has the potential to make the roster. Moats’ spot especially will be one to watch, for Adams provides a younger and cheaper option with more upside. Despite these possibilities, I anticipate both Moats and Chickillo to make the 53 man roster. Both of their contracts expire next offseason, so Adams can sit on the practice squad for a year and prepare to potentially take one of their spots for 2018.
Inside linebacker: Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, L.J. Fort, Tyler Matakevich (4)
This is another group with no real surprises. With other positions like wide receiver and cornerback congested, the inside linebacker may be thinner than last year. If the Steelers have faith in Fort and Matakevich as back-ups, then the Steelers could avoid only keeping four. Steven Johnson could potentially put up a fight and push for Fort or Matakevich’s roster spot.
Cornerback: Artie Burns, Ross Cockrell, Cameron Sutton, Coty Sensabaugh, Senquez Golson, Brian Allen (6)
Like the wide receiver position, there will be an intense competition between the cornerbacks. The Steelers drafted two cornerbacks in the 2017 draft, giving them seven total that could potentially make the roster. Burns, Cockrell, and Sutton appear to be the only locks at the moment. Sensabaugh could be argued as a lock considering he was signed this offseason and has the versatility to play both inside and outside.
The primary competition will likely be between William Gay, Senquez Golson, and Brian Allen. Gay is getting older and slower and while he’s been a reliable player for years, the Steelers may opt for youth. Golson has been injured 2 straight years and though the former 2nd round pick has potential, nobody knows what he’s capable of contributing. Brian Allen was drafted in the 5th round in the 2017 draft; he has the most height and length of the entire depth chart. He is a raw player and likely won’t contribute his rookie year, but the Steelers may not want to risk placing him on the practice squad. This group will be a crapshoot, but for now, I will assume Golson remains healthy and Allen flashes potential – sorry Gay.
Safety: Mike Mitchell, Sean Davis, Robert Golden, Jordan Dangerfield (4)
The safety spot is more or less locked. All four of these players were on the roster last year and nobody was added to the roster to provide any serious competition. It’s possible a player could push Dangerfield, but he’s proven to be valuable on special teams so I would say he is safe.
Specialist: Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, Colin Holba (3)
Who would’ve expected there to be a long snapper competition at training camp this year? The Steelers will be putting two-time Super Bowl winning long-snapper Greg Warren against 2017 draft pick Colin Holba. I’m giving Holba the edge here primarily because of Warren‘s age and the fact that the Steelers spent a 6th round pick on him. Fans were mad we even spent a draft pick on a long-snapper, I’d hate to see how they react if he doesn’t even make the roster.
