It's that time in the calendar in which the NFL is the quietest it'll be all year. The time between minicamp and training camp is a calm before the storm, in which players, coaches, scouts, executives and pretty much anyone who is employed by an NFL franchise plan weddings, vacations -- pretty much anything that can't be done any other time of the year.
But, that doesn't mean we can't take a peak ahead to what this Steelers team might look like by the time the final 53 players are selected for the final roster ahead of the opener in Atlanta.
Sure, there's a whole training camp and preseason to go through, along with any last-minute signings or trades that could take part between now and Sept. 8, so there's a good chance the next roster projection will look a bit different.
For now, here's how I'd project the 53-man roster by the time the Steelers make final decisions in late August:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
• Russell Wilson
• Justin Fields
• Kyle Allen
A very easy position to project. Wilson is in "pole position" among this trio, as both Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith have stated. But, it'll be an important camp and preseason for Fields, who is technically in competition with Wilson this summer.
As for the third quarterback, it makes much more sense to go with a veteran such as Allen compared to an undrafted rookie with a lot of question marks such as John Rhys Plumlee.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
• Najee Harris
• Jaylen Warren
• Cordarrelle Patterson
Another easy position to project. Harris and Warren are one of the league's best running back duos and each figure to get their fair share of touches.
Sure, Patterson could get some snaps here and there, and even fill in every now and then at receiver, if needed. But, Patterson's main role on this roster will be in the return game, thanks to the NFL's new kickoff format.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
• George Pickens
• Van Jefferson
• Calvin Austin III
• Roman Wilson
• Scotty Miller
• Quez Watkins
Pickens is the clear No. 1 receiver on this team. With the current options, Jefferson and Austin stand the best chance to be the primary guy to line up outside opposite Pickens. Wilson can come in with a strong training camp and preseason to earn the job as the primary slot receiver as a rookie. Pickens is the only true lock here, but the other three as close to locks as can be with the way the position looks right now.
The Steelers don't always carry six receivers, but they did it last year by keeping both Gunner Olszewski and Miles Boykin for special teams purposes. Given the many options at receiver, they could do it again, which is why I have both Miller and Watkins making it right now. But, a trade for an impact receiver this summer could make this whole position look a lot different.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
• Pat Freiermuth
• Darnell Washington
• Connor Heyward
• MyCole Pruitt
A lot of people expected the Steelers to keep four tight ends last summer, having Washington and Zach Gentry serve as blocking tight ends alongside Freiermuth as the primary receiving option, with Heyward serving in a hybrid role between tight end and fullback. As we know now, Gentry was let go and the Steelers kept only three.
Given Smith's fondness for the tight end position, I'm going with four tight ends in this new offense. Freiermuth, Washington and Heyward all reprise their roles from last season with Pruitt, who has experience playing under Smith, joining the bunch.
CENTERS/GUARDS (5)
• Zach Frazier
• Isaac Seumalo
• James Daniels
• Nate Herbig
• Mason McCormick
Spencer Anderson would be a tough player to cut, but that speaks to the depth at the interior of the offensive line now. Frazier can be the starting center on Day 1, and Seumalo and Daniels are a formidable pair of starting guards. I also believe Herbig would have a big edge over Anderson, and I believe McCormick is being groomed to possibly take over at right guard in case Daniels leaves via free agency next spring.
With those five having a leg up over Anderson, and considering the foursome the Steelers would likely keep at tackle, I have a hard time believing the Steelers would dedicate 10 spots of the 53-man roster to offensive linemen. It is possible, though. And if they do, Anderson would likely be the guy.
TACKLES (4)
• Broderick Jones
• Dan Moore
• Troy Fautanu
• Dylan Cook
I'm fully confident that Jones will be a starter no matter what. The x-factor here is Fautanu, the Steelers' first-round pick in this year's draft. Should Fautanu have a phenomenal camp and preseason, he could be the starter at right tackle. That would likely make Jones the starter at left tackle, making Moore expendable as a trade candidate or insurance for a potential injury.
I'm skeptical of the Steelers shopping Moore this summer, but Omar Khan proved last year that he's willing to make such a move as both Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green were traded. Trading Moore could also be another way to keep Anderson in the fold, especially since Anderson is more versatile than Moore, who is pretty much cemented exclusively at left tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7)
• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Keeanu Benton
• Montravius Adams
• Dean Lowry
• DeMarvin Leal
• Logan Lee
Heyward, Ogunjobi and Benton are locks here, with Benton having a big opportunity to take snaps away from the other two. Adams looked really good before suffering a midseason injury last year, and he'd be a solid depth option here, with Lowry also providing more veteran depth.
As for the two final spots (the Steelers typically carry seven defensive linemen), I have a hard time believing both Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk earn roster spots. Both are so far off the radar, only Leal might have more chances left since he was drafted more recently. Thus, I have Lee earning the final spot at this position as a guy who can contribute right away on special teams, and perhaps even block a field goal.
EDGE DEFENDERS (4)
• T.J. Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Nick Herbig
• Jeremiah Moon
The top three here are a slam dunk, and I'd be very intrigued to see Herbig step up as the third edge rusher. But, it wouldn't surprise me if Khan added a veteran again. Markus Golden is still a free agent. Maybe run it back with the same foursome from a season ago, a group that combined for 33 sacks.
For now, I've got Moon as the fourth guy here, who's spent the past two season on the Ravens' practice squad with eight NFL games under his belt. But, Moon, David Perales, Kyron Johnson and Julius Welschof could have an intense battle during training camp.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
• Patrick Queen
• Elandon Roberts
• Cole Holcomb
• Payton Wilson
The only question here is if the Steelers opt to keep a fifth linebacker, which is not very typical. Queen, Roberts, Holcomb and Wilson will all earn spots here. The only question is if the Steelers decide to cut back at another position, such as receiver, to keep the likes of Mark Robinson as a fifth linebacker.
CORNERBACKS (6)
• Joey Porter Jr.
• Donte Jackson
• Cam Sutton
• Cory Trice Jr.
• Darius Rush
• Beanie Bishop
With the recent signing of Sutton, the starters are now set with Porter and Jackson on the outside and Sutton in the slot. The Steelers also have some very intriguing depth options. Like Porter, both Trice and Rush are second-year players, but both have much to prove. Bishop is really interesting as an undrafted free agent, as he fits the profile of an NFL slot cornerback.
While there's no official word yet, I'd expect there to be some sort of suspension for Sutton. Should that happen, sixth-round pick Ryan Watts could make his way onto the roster as an option alongside Bishop to play snaps inside. Josiah Scott is another option for the cornerback room should Sutton serve a suspension.
SAFETIES (4)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick
• DeShon Elliott
• Damontae Kazee
• Miles Killebrew
This is a pretty easy position to forecast. Fitzpatrick, Elliott and Kazee will handle the defensive snaps while Killebrew earns a spot based on his All-Pro status as a core special teamer. Guys such as Trenton Thompson and Watts could earn a spot on the practice squad to provide more depth in case of injuries.
SPECIALISTS (3)
• Chris Boswell
• Cameron Johnston
• Christian Kuntz
Not much to say here. Boswell is one of the best kickers in the game, Johnston is an accomplished veteran punter and Kuntz just signed a three-year deal to remain the Steelers' long snapper. Matthew Wright is a solid option as a second kicker during camp, but no team uses two roster spots on kickers.
