“Way Too Early” Steelers 2022 53-man roster prediction
It’s that time again! June in the NFL is as dead as a doornail, with nothing but conjecture to speak of, let’s prophesize on something that will happen in the very near future: the Steelers trim down from 90 players on the roster to 53.
While that cutdown won’t occur until preseason football is well underway, some of the top spots should already be in place. Typically, that could be 35-40 players easily.
However, there are some roster spots that are in jeopardy. Let’s have a look at some of those battles and who I believe will make the cut, in this “way too early” prediction for the Steelers Week 1 team make up.
Quarterbacks (3)
Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett
So many people are convinced that Mason Rudolph won’t be on this team after training camp: I’m not one of them.
The Steelers learned a hard lesson in 2019 by not having a quarterbacks coach and also allowing for a backup passer who has never taken an NFL snap. They won’t repeat their earlier error in 2022, as Rudolph and Trubisky each have similar contracts for this year.
The only way this gets upset is if Kenny Pickett ascends to starter. The Steelers may not keep two quarterbacks at $4 million each. However, I think Pickett is going to sit for most if not all of his rookie season, and therefore, each of the other two QBs is inexpensive to retain with one eventually becoming the starter – and perhaps Pickett’s future backup in 2023 or beyond.
Chris Oladokun, the team’s seventh round pick, should be headed to the practice squad to develop as a future QB3. He will mostly find time as a scout quarterback emulating the other mobile QBs that the team will face throughout 2022.
Running Backs (4)
Najee Harris, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., Derek Watt
I believe the Steelers could add to this room, but for now, the top three running backs should all be locks to make the team.
Derek Watt, a special teams standout who is listed officially as a fullback, is that unit’s captain and an ace. He will remain on the roster as I add Connor Heyward in below with another group.
Wide Receivers (6)
Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Miles Boykin, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski
Miles Boykin might be the surprise here, as I think the Steelers use a veteran wide receiver over both rookies, Pickens and Austin, to start the season. He’ll be on a short leash though.
Olszewski is strictly a special teams return specialist and forces Pittsburgh to roster six wide receivers, not much unlike they have in the past.
Tight Ends (3)
Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
With an extra receiver on the roster, and Derek Watt already listed as a traditional fullback, I’m lumping Cameron Heyward’s younger brother in with the tight ends group as an “H-Back”. The Steelers have used players in a similar role in the past, such as David Johnson and Will Johnson, while also retaining a regular fullback on the roster.
Heyward’s spot as TE3 means that on and off again practice squad journeyman Kevin Rader gets bumped off of the 53.
Zach Gentry improved immensely in his third season. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Steelers extend him this offseason as he moves into Freiermuth’s backup role.
Offensive Linemen (8)
Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Kendrick Green, J.C. Hassenauer, Joe Haeg
I believe the Steelers would like to keep nine offensive linemen, but there isn’t a ninth to consider making the 53 at this moment.
Joe Haeg is the only true swing tackle available as a backup. Cole, Green, and Hassenhauer are all versatile interior linemen and will make the cut.
The expanded practice squad rules will allow for some fluctuation between other journeymen vets and free agents who enter training camp, but until someone makes a mark or another player is cut from a different team, these are the eight linemen I’m rolling with, as I had to make some room below for defensive spots.
Defensive Linemen (6)
Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams
I always struggle with the amount of defensive linemen the Steelers will retain each season. Just like the offensive side of the ball, they will likely carry an additional player who isn’t popping off of the page right now.
There are no real surprises for cuts or players making the grade here, and my thoughts are strictly based on the numbers game of keeping an extra receiver, rostering an H-back, and the sheer number of players available to the secondary. (See below.)
Linebackers (9)
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka, Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen, Buddy Johnson
Not listed here are Ulysses Gilbert III or rookie Mark Robinson. I feel Gilbert’s stay could be over after injury filled seasons that failed to see him gain any real traction.
Robinson is a one-year linebacker in college who should be a developmental prospect – this is due to the team bringing back Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen both as inside linebacker depth, and drafting Buddy Johnson last season.
There are enough players here to warrant keeping ten linebackers. Regardless, a limited amount of spots means someone we’re used to seeing gets released at the end of camp.
Cornerbacks (5)
Cameron Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Arthur Maulet, Justin Layne
James Pierre is my casualty here, assuming that Arthur Maulet remains a nickel corner playing in Mike Hilton’s old role.
Justin Layne could be on the hot seat as well, with the Steelers depth looking a little suspect aside from the top three corners, who should all see substantial playing time.
A lot of this rides on the next group, which is also jam packed heading into this summer…
Safeties (6)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew, Damontae Kazee, Karl Joseph, Tre Norwood
Minkah is the gem of the group, headlining a unit that has signed or re-signed four players: Edmunds, Killebrew, Kazee, Joseph and Norwood.
Edmunds will be the starter alongside Fitzpatrick, but I don’t feel any of the other spaces are safe. Kazee was added as insurance before the Edmunds signing. Joseph was a practice squad player with the Steelers for all of 2021, and Norwood was a seventh-round pick.
Killebrew, a special teamer mostly, is a favorite of new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
If the Steelers add to either of their lines, one of these names will be the first axed.
Specialists (3)
Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
Nothing new to see here, as Chris Boswell is one of the best kickers in the league.
Harvin could have competition in camp, but should still be around long enough to change someone’s mind either way as to his future punting. (One bad performance might make him expendable.)
Kuntz won a battle over Kam Canaday last season and is the favorite to be the starter again.
Full List (53)
Overall, the full list makes some assumptions as to how many bodies are kept with each group.
The spots I would trim are from the receivers and safeties, to create room for another offensive or defensive lineman. It’s also possible the Steelers retain an additional linebacker, but I don’t see them doing so over the thin depth they have at defensive back, especially with their cornerbacks.
James Pierre is the likely candidate I have for making the team who is not on my current list: he would bump one of the other safeties, but that’s also not a given based on his inconsistent play last season.
Here’s the remaining names compiled from the lists above and how the full 53-man roster shakes out.
