“Way Too Early” Steelers 2023 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. So 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 has come and gone, some of the top spots should already be in place. Typically, that could be 35-40 players who have a “secure” spot on this year’s roster. However, there are some 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)
Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
The Steelers traditionally roster three quarterbacks and there’s little reason to believe this group will look any different than how last season ended, with Pickett as the starter entering, and exiting camp. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph will back up the second-year pro from Pitt.
Running Backs (3)
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Connor Heyward
Connor Heyward will make the team, the question is how will he be listed as far as his position?
The Steelers currently list Heyward as a FB/TE, but I’ll place him in the former and with the running backs room, which will go back to having Najee Harris as the 1a to Jaylen Warren spelling him as a 1b.
The Steelers have a precedent of keeping their RB3 on the practice squad (Fitzgerald Toussaint, Trey Edmunds) and will likely do the same this season with Anthony McFarland missing the 53-man cut.
Wide Receivers (6)
Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Hakeem Butler, Miles Boykin
With the recent release of Anthony Miller, this group appears to be cut-and-dry unless the bottom end of the roster makes for some difficult choices with Boykin (namely a special teams player) and the larger Butler, who was added after an impressive showing in the XFL this spring.
Gunner Olszewski will be fighting for a roster spot after losing his job as a return specialist last season: which, unfortunately, is the appeal to keeping him. If Calvin Austin takes over those duties in camp and proves to be a viable alternative, there won’t be enough space to keep Gunner on the 53.
The addition of Allen Robinson from the Rams also makes for these difficult choices as the veteran receiver should be a lock to make the team too.
Tight Ends (3)
Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Darnell Washington
Washington joins two of last year’s veterans in this position group, as he eases into playing time as a rookie.
Connor Heyward, noted above, is also listed as a tight end and fullback: he makes the team further up this article with the running backs.
Offensive Linemen (8)
Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Isaac Seumalo, Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr., Nate Herbig, Kevin Dotson
The overhaul of the Steelers offensive line this offseason makes for some tough choices, with Dan Moore Jr. likely sliding into a reserve, swing tackle role as well as last year’s starting guard, Kevin Dotson, moving down the depth chart.
Like last year, Dotson will compete with Kendrick Green, but this time it’s Dotson getting the last spot on the roster rather than a starting position over Green, who will probably be off of the team come September.
Defensive Linemen (7)
Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, DeMarvin Leal, Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Armon Watts, Breiden Fehoko
Another stacked room will see lots of competition and always leaves me wondering how many players the team will carry with this group too.
The biggest battle should come at nose tackle, where the rookie Benton should win the Week 1 starting job, but is flanked by last year’s starter Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, and Breiden Fehoko.
If the staff was comfortable with Adams, they wouldn’t have brought in as many bodies as they did to replace him. Therefore I believe his days in a Steelers uniform are numbered.
Linebackers (9)
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Markus Golden, Tanner Muse, Nick Kwiatkoski, Mark Robinson, Nick Herbig
Another stacked group of new faces and veteran additions, the linebackers generally number between eight and ten carried on the roster at any given time. Most of the reserve backers will wind up playing special teams, which is where Robinson and Herbig will need to ply their craft.
Muse and Kwiatkoski offer special teams upside too, with Muse potentially sliding over into a hybrid safety role. Both were brought in for a reason and that’s depth. They will make the team without issue.
Cornerbacks (6)
Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre, Cory Trice
With the releases of Ahkello Witherspoon and Arthur Maulet, the path is wide-open for seventh round draft pick Cory Trice to snag a roster spot: and potentially over veteran James Pierre, who will be on the hot seat with all of the new faces at the cornerback position.
Chandon Sullivan was added this offseason to replace Maulet as the nickel cornerback. Unless another of the corners gets some time in the slot, it’s his spot to lose.
Safeties (5)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew, Tre Norwood
Kazee should ascend to be the starting counterpart to Fitzpatrick. The wildcard is Neal, who will see playing time but has battled health issues over the years as hybrid player.
Miles Killebrew is a special teams beast and favorite of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. His spot is safe, but an injury to anyone else amongst this group could cost him a roster spot for someone who is a full-timer at safety.
Specialists (3)
Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
This group hasn’t changed much over the last few seasons and barring some incredible camp battle at the punter or long snapper positions, it should remain the same for 2023 as well.
Full List (53)
Here’s the remaining names compiled from the lists above and how the full 53-man roster shakes out.
