The Steelers have set their 53-man roster, at least for now. There could be some changes in the coming days, but this is what it looks like as of now.
This is all likely to change and adjust moving forward, perhaps rather quickly. The Steelers have just eight offensive linemen and four cornerbacks on their roster. They're also carrying six inside linebackers. Eight rookies are also among the current 53, with three of those players being offensive or defensive linemen.
Here is a synopsis of each player on the 53-man roster and what his role will be moving forward.
2-Mason Rudolph, QB – The No. 2 quarterback, he’s gotten better, but still isn’t the long-term answer once Ben Roethlisberger retires. Is he a career backup? Maybe. But he has gotten better each year.
3-Dwayne Haskins, QB – The Dwayne Train ran off the track in Charlotte. There’s still some promise there, but he has to learn to throw guys open in the NFL instead of checking down all the time.
6-Pressley Harvin, P – The rookie beat out Jordan Berry for the punting job, though to be fair, he was given a running start to do so.
7-Ben Roethlisberger, QB – He enters Year 18 in the NFL with a chip on his shoulder after hearing all the questions about him nationally in the offseason. On a prove-it tour.
8-Melvin Ingram, LB – A big addition to the defense, though he’ll be a part-time player. If he can give the Steelers 15 quality pass rushes per game, it’s a big plus.
9-Chris Boswell, PK – Hard to believe he’s heading into his seventh season, but he remains one of the best in the league. His awful 2018 season is now the outlier.
11-Chase Claypool, WR – The team’s 2020 Rookie of the Year looks to build on a strong season in which he scored 11 touchdowns. Can he become a more crisp route runner?
13-James Washington, WR – The team’s leader in receiving yards in 2019, Washington fell by the wayside in 2020. But he’s one of the better No. 4 receivers in the league and would start for several teams.
14-Ray-Ray McCloud, WR/PR -- Made an impact early last season as a punt returner before he got gun shy after a fumble against the Ravens. Needs to regain his fearlessness as a return man. Shouldn’t play at all on offense.
18-Diontae Johnson, WR – One of the most targeted receivers in the league a year ago, he also led the league in drops. But he’s the only receiver on the team who can consistently beat press-man coverage.
19-JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR – His desire to play on the outside this season isn’t going to happen. But he remains one of the better slot options in the NFL.
20-Cam Sutton, CB – His emergence led to the team feeling comfortable allowing Mike Hilton to walk and releasing Steven Nelson. Not a star, but needs to be a solid piece of the puzzle.
21-Tre Norwood, S – The rookie will get a chance to be the main backup to Minkah Fitzpatrick at FS and perhaps factor into the dime package as the season goes along.
22-Najee Harris, RB – The franchise running back. The rookie has been everything he was advertised to be, showing wisdom beyond his years. Should get 300-plus touches this season if he can stay healthy.
23-Joe Haden, CB – Haden enters his 12th NFL season as the Steelers’ No. 1 corner. He’s not going to get the new contract he hoped for prior to the season, but he’s one of the team’s leaders.
24-Benny Snell, RB – A depth piece at running back. He’ll have to make his bones on special teams if he wants to be active on game days.
26-Anthony McFarland, RB – His rookie season was a washout, but there’s hope in Year 2 he can be a nice change of pace. He should get touches on jet sweeps over McCloud.
27-Marcus Allen, LB – Seems to have settled in after shifting from safety to linebacker last season. Can run and cover and is a willing hitter. Also a solid special teams contributor.
28-Miles Killebrew, S – The primary backup at strong safety, he should be a core special teams player after being signed as a free agent from the Lions.
29-Kalen Ballage, RB – A big back with more juice than Snell, Ballage also excels at short yardage running.
31-Justin Layne, CB – Got better as his third training camp went on, he’ll essentially be the fourth cornerback and serve as a special teams gunner.
34-Terrell Edmunds, SS – The starter at strong safety and a key component to the defense in helping with opposing tight ends. A better player than he gets credit for being.
39-Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS – The No. 1 free safety in the NFL. His ball hawking skills help give the Steelers defense teeth.
41-Robert Spillane, LB – A special teams player who was forced to play too many snaps in 2020. Good enough when paired with a linebacker who can cover, exposed when he is not.
42-James Pierre, CB – The second-year former undrafted rookie is the team’s true nickel corner. He’ll play on the outside and bump Sutton inside in the nickel. Made a big jump this year.
44-Jamir Jones, OLB – A true surprise, Jones led the Steelers in QB hits and sacks in the preseason. And he showed up on special teams. Has good size at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, too.
44-Derek Watt, FB – Last season was a wash for him in his first season with the team. But he’s in the plans for this year both offensively and on special teams.
45-Joe Schobert, LB – Acquired via trade with the Jaguars two weeks ago, he’ll pair with Devin Bush to provide a solid 1-2 punch at inside linebacker.
46-Christian Kuntz, LS – The third time was a charm in winning the long-snapper job as the former Duquesne linebacker unseated Kameron Canaday in his third opportunity to do so.
51-Buddy Johnson, LB – A fourth-round draft pick, Johnson still has a lot to learn about the nuances of playing at the NFL level. Could help on special teams until he does.
51-Trai Turner, G – Signed when David DeCastro was released at the end of minicamp, Turner is the elder statesman on the offensive line as an 8-year veteran. Had a down season in 2020 for the Chargers and the Steelers need him to bounce back.
53-Kendrick Green, C – Can get bull rushed at times, he’ll be the starting center and will have to learn to handle that kind of attack. The third-round pick will continue to get better.
54-Ulysees Gilbert, LB -- A surprise to stick on the final 53. But he's a speedy linebacker who can play special teams. Can he stay healthy? He hasn't in either of his first two NFL seasons.
55-Devin Bush, LB – Was on his way to stardom in 2020 before tearing his ACL in the fifth game. Can he regain his confidence? Playing next to Schobert will help since it will take some things off his plate.
56-Alex Highsmith, OLB – Bud who? Highsmith was selected in the third round of last year’s draft to replace Bud Dupree. He’s looked the part in this preseason.
60-J.C. Hassenauer, C – Didn't look like an NFL player a year ago, but came to camp noticeably stronger this year. He’ll be the backup at center.
65-Dan Moore, OT – The fourth-round draft pick was overmatched early in training camp, but settled in at left tackle to the point where he might start in Week 1. Crazy.
69-Kevin Dotson, G – Went from being in the doghouse early in camp to being perhaps the team’s best offensive lineman. Mike Tomlin pushed the right buttons.
71-Joe Haeg, OT – A veteran signed in the offseason for depth, he’ll likely be the No. 4 offensive tackle to start the season. If Zach Banner is injured, his role increases. But the team can honestly do better.
72-Zach Banner, OT – Presumably the starter at right tackle if he’s healthy. That’s' a big if right now as he tried to come back from a torn ACL suffered in last year’s opener.
73-Carlos Davis, NT – Saw some snaps as a rookie last season, but isn’t much more than a depth piece at this point, especially if the team plays more nickel and less base defense.
76-Chuks Okorafor, OT – Could Moore be pushing him for the starting job at LT? Perhaps. But he might be needed at RT, where he lined up last season, if Banner isn’t ready.
81-Zach Gentry, TE – The third tight end, he’s gotten better in his third season, which needed to happen. Tomlin let slip that Gentry is up to 280 pounds. He looks it.
85-Eric Ebron, TE – A dangerous receiver and mismatch problem, Ebron isn’t much of a blocker, though we’ll give him credit – at least this season he is trying.
88-Pat Freiermuth, TE – Ebron played a lot in the preseason finale, while Freiermuth barely played, meaning he got starter treatment. He might very well be the team’s No. 1 tight end earlier than anyone thought.
90-T.J. Watt, OLB – One of the best defensive players in the NFL and the reigning league sack leader. He just keeps getting better.
91-Stephon Tuitt, DE – Tuitt and Watt were two of just three players in the AFC to reach double digits in sacks last year. He hasn’t practiced in this offseason because of personal tragedy and an undisclosed injury, but is expected to be ready to go for Week 1. We’ll see.
92-Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE – Another member of this prized draft class, Loudermilk was expected to be on scholarship this season. But he’s shown some ability to help out this season.
94-Tyson Alualu, NT – When I said Alualu would be the answer at nose tackle last season, some scoffed. They aren’t any longer. Even at 34, Alualu is still a force.
95-Chris Wormley, DE – Tuitt's situation might have helped the veteran this preseason. He isn’t flashy, but he’s assignment sound. And that’s what the Steelers want.
96-Isaiah Buggs, DL – Can play on the nose or at defensive end. He’s a valuable backup piece who could potentially be Alualu’s replacement down the road.
97-Cameron Heyward, DT -- The captain of the defense, Heyward is the heart and soul of this team. Had a down year in the sack department last season with 4, but he’s capable of bouncing back.
99-Henry Mondeaux, DL – A try-hard, high-effort player with a strong motor and interesting athleticism. He’s actually a demon covering kicks and punts. A nice piece to the puzzle.