Pittsburgh Steelers’ initial 53-man roster includes a few surprises
The Pittsburgh Steelers released their initial 53-man roster for the 2022-23 NFL regular season on Tuesday to the excitement of fans. With several positions up for grabs, so to speak, there were favorites that were certain to make the list. In fact, many of the players that the Steelers announced had made their roster was not surprising at all; there were a few names on the initial list, though, that may have caught some fans off-guard and surprised.
We’ll look at the roster, as it stands as of Tuesday’s initial release – not including the practice squad or injury-designated lists – and look at the players, including those that caught extra attention. We’ll also look at trades/transactions the Steelers made that were not necessarily anticipated.
Quarterbacks
- Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Mitchell Trubisky (3)
Fans shouldn’t read anything into the fact that Kenny Pickett was listed first by the Steelers on their list of quarterbacks; the team listed players by alphabetical order. It also should not be a surprise that Pittsburgh is carrying three signal-callers this season as they’ve traditionally rostered three in the majority of modern NFL seasons. Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph round out the list and all three are potential “starters,” although it’s likely Trubisky gets the initial nod in the Steelers’ season opener.
Runningbacks/Fullbacks
- Najee Harris, Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Warren, Derek Watt (4)
This was one group where some fans were a little surprised by the outcome. During training camp and the preseason, there was a three-way battle between Snell, Warren, and Anthony McFarland. I anticipated Warren had an edge on Snell.
It turned out that McFarland was the guy that the Steelers were less confident in, as far as their initial 53-man roster. That isn’t to say that Pittsburgh is finished with the rusher, though, since the practice squad will include 16 players instead of the ten that it held in the past.
Offensive Line
- Mason Cole, James Daniels, Jesse Davis, Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, J.C. Hassenauer, Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor (8)
The Steelers made a move I anticipated – even predicted in social media groups – after a preseason that saw the offensive line struggle. The front office, including new general manager Omar Khan, had kept their eyes open for help from the “outside,” something that head coach Mike Tomlin had said in his post-game press conference (Lions, preseason week 3) would be included in considerations before the initial 53-man roster would be made. The team brought in four-position offensive lineman Jesse Davis.
Davis enters his sixth NFL season having played in 80 games (72 starts) after leaving the Miami Dolphins (2017-21) having played right tackle, right guard, left guard, and left tackle, and signing with the Minnesota Vikings (2022). A former captain for the Vikings, the Steelers get an experienced veteran who can help the unit gel and improve.
Some fans were surprised that Joe Haeg was released. Trent Scott was also not included on the roster.
Tight ends
- Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward (3)
I was admittedly conflicted as to whether or not the Steelers might keep four tight ends or not. They solved the conundrum for me. I anticipate that Kevin Rader very well might be placed on the practice squad.
Receivers
- Miles Boykin, Calvin Austin III, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, Gunner Olszewski, George Pickens, Steven Sims (7)
This group is likely to change, quickly. With the rules that state that players must make the initial 53-man roster to then be placed on injured/reserved and play during the season (versus being put on PUP or I/R instead of the active roster), Miles Boykin and Calvin Austin III may soon get swapped out.
The only surprise, for me, was that they opted to keep such a deep list. With the injuries, however, it makes sense upfront.
Defensive Line
- Montravius Adams, Tyson Alualu, Cameron Heyward, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley (7)
The defensive line is comprised primarily of the players I anticipated it would be, including DeMarvin Leal and Montravius Adams. I’m pleased with the mix of guys that the Steelers feel can give them the best shot at stopping the run and winning the battles in the trenches.
Linebackers
Devin Bush, Alex Highsmith, Myles Jack, Malik Reed, Mark Robinson, Robert Spillane, Derrek Tuszka, T.J. Watt (8)
The surprise in the list of linebackers was that the Steelers went out and got Malik Reed from the Denver Broncos. Reed has started 34-of-45 games he’s played in over the course of three seasons and enters Pittsburgh with 118 tackles (71 solo), 15 sacks, four pass defenses, three forced fumbles, and two recoveries. Reed adds depth at “edge” that is going to give the Steelers some breathing room when it comes to spelling Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt, primarily.
“He is excited about getting on this moving train and putting his hand in the pile… He is capable of rushing from both sides. There is a lot that is attractive about his game.” – Mike Tomlin on Reed
Whether the Steelers make any additional moves to help the inside linebacker position remains to be seen as linebacker/safety Marcus Allen was cut from the initial list.
Defensive backs
- Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Arthur Maulet, Tre Norwood, James Pierre, Cameron Sutton, Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon (10)
There is a real possibility that, should Damontae Kazee and/or Miles Killebrew not be healthy enough initially, this is a roster area that could see immediate changes once the practice squad and other lists are made available.
I was a little surprised that James Pierre made the list over Justin Layne, but the two are almost identical, interchangeable players at the outside cornerback spot.
Specialists
- Chris Boswell (Kicker), Pressley Harvin III (Punter), Christian Kuntz (Long-snapper)
