The preseason is finished and over the next few days, the Steelers will be tasked with slimming down their roster to 53 before Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline.
Tough decisions await, but there's a lot to take away from the work the team put in since arriving at Saint Vincent College in late July. They've come a long way in terms of installing Arthur Smith's offense, assimilating new players on both sides of the ball and working their way through injuries that have hampered young players looking to earn their keep.
In their preseason finale against the Lions, the first-team offense started showing in-stadium spurts as Russell Wilson found George Pickens for a 32-yard connection before Cordarrelle Patterson galloped 31 yards into the end zone for the Steelers' first preseason touchdown. But, there is now more work to be done as the Steelers prepare for the regular season.
"I’m just excited about the work opportunities that we have in front of us between now and then," Mike Tomlin said after the Steelers' loss to the Lions. "There’s a lot to be excited about, I’m sure for all 32, but it’s about the work, it’s about how you tee up performance and how we position ourselves for the opener. So it’s now time to start doing that.”
As of Sunday evening, the Steelers hadn't made any roster moves to get closer to the 53-man limit, but expect moves to come over the next few days and possibly in several different forms -- trades, releases and signings. A lot can happen between now and then.
But, until those moves occur, plenty of things need to be worked out. So, let's take one last stab at projecting the 53-man roster:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
• Russell Wilson
• Justin Fields
• Kyle Allen
After Wilson suffered a calf injury while pushing a weighted sled during the Steelers' conditioning test, Justin Fields took full advantage of his opportunities and tried to capture the starting spot. However, while Tomlin hasn't officially named a starter, it's Wilson's job. He's been in "pole position" since the beginning of camp and has done nothing that would result in him losing that position. He'll be under center when the Steelers take the field in Atlanta on Sept. 8.
Fields has also had a great camp though. He's improving his all-around game -- if you saw his pass over the middle to MyCole Pruitt on Saturday you know what I mean -- and his natural athletic ability is something that Smith could take advantage of in different situations.
The Steelers will carry three quarterbacks and there is a big gap between Kyle Allen and John Rhys Plumlee. Despite Plumlee's efforts to do whatever it takes to make the roster, Allen is going to take the roster spot here. However, Plumlee has taken snaps at quarterback and wide receiver and has also returned kicks and punts this season, so he could be an interesting practice squad addition.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
• Najee Harris
• Jaylen Warren
• Cordarrelle Patterson
Nothing is going to change on this front. Najee Harris has been solid throughout camp and when he's paired with a healthy Jaylen Warren, who's been dealing with a hamstring injury, they could be one of the best running back tandems in the league. However, after seeing Patterson in action this preseason I don't think his contributions should be discounted. If he can stay healthy, he could have a large role in this offense.
That leaves the likes of Jonathan Ward, La'Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin and Daijuan Edwards. All four have flashed at different times throughout camp but I don't believe any of them have done enough to find a spot on the 53-man roster. Perine tried to make a final case for himself Saturday and did find the end zone on a one-yard run. But, again, it wasn't enough.
That also leaves Jack Colletto on the outside looking in. While I was positive he'd make the roster toward the beginning of camp, it seems less likely now. I don't think he's showcased enough versatility on special teams to crack the roster, but I think he's definitely on the bubble. If he doesn't make the 53, he could be a possible practice squad addition.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7)
• George Pickens
• Van Jefferson
• Calvin Austin III
• Roman Wilson
• Scotty Miller
• Dez Fitzpatrick
• Quez Watkins
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin II and Roman Wilson are locks to make this roster. Pickens is the No. 1 guy, but Jefferson and Austin have both flashed throughout camp. I don't believe either of them can be a viable true No. 2 guy if Pickens went down with an injury, but they've both been solid options.
Wilson has been out since the early parts of camp with an ankle injury. He's started to work his way back and was seen working along the sidelines at practice last week. Despite not playing in a preseason game, he showed what he is capable of before his injury. I'm sure he'll find a way to prove himself before Sept. 8. That leaves Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins and Dez Fitzpatrick. Miller has been the most consistent of the three and has displayed versatility by returning punts and kicks. His shiftiness and quickness in the slot have received praise from both Wilson and Fields so I think he will find his way onto the roster.
Watkins and Fitzpatrick are toss-ups at this point. Watkins probably got dinged for the fumble on a punt return in the first preseason game, but I think he's done enough to break onto the roster. He can be a deep threat down the field if needed and has been pretty consistent since that first preseason game. Fitzpatrick has come on throughout the back half of camp and led the team in receiving yards Saturday with two catches for 64 yards. He's also taken snaps at gunner in an attempt to display more versatility on special teams.
I do feel as though there will be some type of move made at the receiver position before the regular season begins. If that addition happens before Tuesday's deadline, I think Watkins is the odd man out.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
• Pat Freiermuth
• Darnell Washington
• Connor Heyward
• MyCole Pruitt
At this point in the process, we know Smith loves his tight ends, so that's why I believe all four of these players will make the roster. Pat Freiermuth is a given and I think he's in for a career season. If there are no additions made at wide receiver, Freiermuth could be the No. 2 option in this offense behind Pickens.
Darnell Washington will play a role in this offense as well, but I think he'll primarily be a blocker. Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt both have versatility and could slip into that fullback role if needed. I think Heyward has had a great camp and he's showcased his talents on countless occasions with big plays.
Pruitt's ability to slide into the backfield, and his familiarity with Smith after playing for him in Atlanta, may give him the edge over Rodney Williams. But we'll see as Williams has played well this preseason too.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8)
• Dan Moore Jr.
• Isaac Seumalo
• Zach Frazier
• James Daniels
• Broderick Jones
• Troy Fautanu
• Mason McCormick
• Spencer Anderson
This is where we see a slight change compared to recent projections. With Nate Herbig going to the IR with a torn rotator cuff, it opens a spot for Zach Frazier to slide in at starting center. Outside of that, Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels have the guard positions locked down and Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu -- when he's fully recovered from his knee injury -- will man the tackle spots in some way, shape or form.
That leaves Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson. Anderson has stepped in at left guard during camp and he has the versatility to play all of the positions on the line. So I think he has a good shot as we know how Tomlin loves versatility. McCormick has consistently backed up Daniels at right guard and he also played center on Saturday against Detroit so there's that versatility factor as well.
There's a good chance this number could climb to nine throughout this process as well. An outside hire, maybe an interior lineman or maybe Ryan McCullom could slide into that spot as well. I'll leave it at eight for right now.
The Steelers also must decide what to do about Dylan Cook. He's been in a walking boot over the past week after suffering a left foot injury during the joint practice with the Bills. The Steelers have the option of designating two players to return from injured reserve during the cutdown period. So, Cook doesn't have to be on the initial 53-man roster when the deadline passes on Tuesday. So the Steelers have options here.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7)
• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Keeanu Benton
• Montravius Adams
• Dean Lowry
• DeMarvin Leal
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
No big changes here. Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton are locks and have all had solid camps. I think Benton could have a big season, which would provide the Steelers the opportunity to rest the other two at times. But, Montravius Adams has also had a solid training camp, so those would be the first four for me.
Dean Lowry fits in here as well. He battled a pre-existing injury early on in training camp, but he's played well since returning to full health. I think he eats up a roster spot and provides the line with a little bit of depth.
DeMarvin Leal came into training camp in the best shape of his life and he's had a really great camp. He's also started to play a little bit of outside linebacker and has also contributed on special teams. He may be considered a bubble guy but I think he makes the roster.
The last spot is a toss-up. Logan Lee has had a solid camp and has also displayed a little versatility by playing multiple roles on special teams, while also long snapping balls to Cameron Johnston on the side of practice. However, Lee missed the final preseason game with an undisclosed injury. Isaiahh Loudermilk has also had a pretty solid camp and provides depth to the defensive front. So, I'll give him the edge here. But, if Lee is fully healthy, I'd go with him.
EDGE DEFENDERS (4)
• T.J. Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Nick Herbig
• Jeremiah Moon
The first three of this position are pretty straightforward. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are locks. Herbig has had a phenomenal preseason and while he's the first edge defender on the field if Watt or Highsmith step off, he's potentially played his way into an even bigger role. The last spot is up in the air.
Despite not playing in the final preseason game, I think Jeremiah Moon gets it. You need four edge defenders and after Markus Golden's retirement, no one has necessarily stepped up to take this spot from Moon. Leal has taken some snaps on the outside, but I don't think he's someone they can lean on there consistently, at least not yet. However, Kyron Johnson could take this spot as well.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
• Patrick Queen
• Elandon Roberts
• Payton Wilson
• Tyler Matakevich
The first three of this position are locked up. Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts are your starters with Payton Wilson being the first one off the bench. They've solidified that rotation throughout camp. When it comes down to a fourth I think it's up in the air. Tyler Matakevich was brought back to Pittsburgh for his special teams prowess. He has the versatility to contribute on kickoffs and can slide into the defense if needed.
But, Mark Robinson could be a possibility for that fourth slot as well. He recorded eight tackles against the Lions and has shown flashes throughout training camp. He's a bubble guy who could ultimately make the roster if the Steelers decide to go in a different direction at another position.
CORNERBACKS (5)
• Joey Porter Jr.
• Donte Jackson
• Cory Trice Jr.
• Beanie Bishop Jr.
• Darius Rush
Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson and Cory Trice Jr. are locks. Porter Jr. and Jackson will be the starters and after a slow start to camp Trice has solidified himself as the first backup. After that, I think a lot of things are up in the air.
Beanie Bishop Jr. has been listed as the starter at the slot cornerback position since the first depth chart was released in training camp. He was pushed by Grayland Arnold and then Thomas Graham Jr. After being held out of practice this past week, Bishop didn't play until the second half on Saturday, which could mean a lot of things. He's looked good when he's healthy but Graham has also played well. I'm going to give Bishop the edge, but I think it's a toss-up.
Lastly, I think Darius Rush will be the final outside cornerback.
SAFETIES (5)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick
• DeShon Elliott
• Damontae Kazee
• Miles Killebrew
• Ryan Watts
The first four here are locks. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott will be your starters. Damontae Kazee will slide alongside Fitzpatrick when the Steelers go to a three-safety package and Elliott slides down into the slot. Then, Miles Killebrew gets a roster spot because of his special teams prowess. Lastly, I think Ryan Watts gets a roster spot. He's had a good camp and he has the size and versatility to contribute in different ways. So I won't be surprised if he makes the final 53.
SPECIALISTS (3)
• Chris Boswell
• Cameron Johnston
• Christian Kuntz
This is easy, let's not overthink. The Steelers won't keep two kickers. Chris Boswell is the guy. That means Matthew Wright is the odd man out, but I truly think he could catch on elsewhere. Cameron Johnston has already brought new life to the punting game and Christian Kuntz is the long snapper.
