With the NFL's 4 p.m. deadline Tuesday to cut the roster down to 53 players, the Steelers have their initial roster for the 2024 season.
As always, there were a few surprises, but nothing crazy. At least, not yet. Just because the roster is finalized, it doesn't mean Omar Khan is done adding to the roster.
The season opener in Atlanta is 11 days away, so further changes are almost guaranteed. Teams have until Wednesday at noon to place claims on players who were waived Tuesday. And, of course, there is still the trade route for external additions.
For now, here's the 53-man roster with a breakdown of each position:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
• Russell Wilson
• Justin Fields
• Kyle Allen
Absolutely no surprises here. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields always were locks, and really, Kyle Allen was a lock, as well. John Rhys Plumlee was a fun guy to have in camp, but there was no chance he was ever going to make the 53-man roster. He could, however, be an option for the practice squad. We'll see about that.
And, for anyone who still thinks there was an actual quarterback competition, no, there wasn't one. When Mike Tomlin officially announces his starting quarterback Wednesday, it's going to be Wilson. This was never a competition. Anyone who says anything otherwise has no idea what they are talking about.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
• Najee Harris
• Jaylen Warren
• Cordarrelle Patterson
Again, another position that was one of the easiest to project. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were one of just two pairs of running backs in which each gained at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Cordarrelle Patterson was brought to Pittsburgh mainly to return kicks, but he can still be a solid third option in the backfield.
As for Jack Colletto, yes, the Steelers used I-formation in the preseason. But, Colletto just didn't do enough on special teams to earn a roster spot. He's still an option for the practice squad. As for who can play fullback, look at the tight end position.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
• George Pickens
• Van Jefferson
• Calvin Austin III
• Roman Wilson
• Scotty Miller
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are the obvious top four here, respectively. Jefferson and Austin both looked good in training camp and the preseason. Wilson was having some very impressive days before having his ankle injured early in camp. We'll see how Tomlin and the coaching staff bring him along as he nears the end of his recovery. He's kind of a wild card here.
Scotty Miller makes it as the fifth receiver right now. At the end of the day, he was the most consistent of all the other guys. Dez Fitzpatrick had a real chance at making the roster as a gunner on special teams, but the Steelers opted to waive him. It's a bit surprising for now. It'll be interesting to see who the Steelers add to play there. They need to add somebody because right now, they don't have a gunner.
It's obviously not too late for external candidates, including Brandon Aiyuk, Tim Patrick or Noah Brown. Realistically, this position needs more, and any of these three would make a great addition to the room. We'll see if a trade coalesces in the nest week and a half.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
• Pat Freiermuth
• Darnell Washington
• Connor Heyward
• MyCole Pruitt
The top three of Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward was pretty much a given. Freiermuth is the potential star, Washington is the Year 2 guy that can potentially take a step forward as a receiver and Heyward is a guy that can play multiple spots, including fullback.
MyCole Pruitt is a pretty solid fourth guy here. He's played in Arthur Smith's offense previously, so he already has a comfortability within it. And, Pruitt can also line up as a fullback when the Steelers want to run out of the I-formation.
Rodney Williams is a candidate for the practice squad. The Steelers really love this guy. It's just impossible to justify five tight ends on the roster, even for an offense run by Smith.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
• Dan Moore Jr.
• Isaac Seumalo
• Zach Frazier
• James Daniels
• Broderick Jones
• Troy Fautanu
• Mason McCormick
• Spencer Anderson
• Ryan McCollum
No true surprises here. Troy Fautanu's injury isn't serious enough to warrant the PUP list or injured reserve with a designation to return. Spencer Anderson's versatility allows him to step in pretty much anywhere if a starter goes down. Keeping Ryan McCollum provides continuity at the center position.
I still wouldn't rule out the possibility of Khan looking for external help here. Waivers could be a great place to make additions.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8)
• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Keeanu Benton
• Montravius Adams
• Dean Lowry
• DeMarvin Leal
• Logan Lee
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton are locks here, with Benton having a big opportunity to take snaps away from the other two if he takes a huge leap. Montravius Adams has been a solid interior defender with the second team, and he has the ability to play multiple techniques up front. And, Adams had a great showing throughout the preseason.
DeMarvin Leal gets rewarded for an encouraging performance over the past several weeks, along with Isaiahh Loudermilk. Dean Lowry seemed like a lock from the beginning, too, just because of his experience and having depth against the run. Logan Lee was always on my radar to make the roster, given his ability to contribute on special teams and even as an emergency long snapper.
EDGE DEFENDERS (3)
• T.J. Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Nick Herbig
Nick Herbig will slide up as the first guy on the field when either T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith need a breather. That much is clear. And perhaps Leal can earn some snaps there, too. But Herbig has done more than enough to earn the spot as the third guy on the depth chart here. He will get a chance to play.
Sticking with only three edge rushers initially tells me that Leal is almost thought of as a fourth edge rusher, though he's primarily still a traditional defensive end in the basic 3-4 defense. Jeremiah Moon is on injured reserve with a designation to return, so he could be an edge option down the line. Julius Welschof was an interesting name as of late, but his season is done as he was placed on injured reserve.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
• Patrick Queen
• Elandon Roberts
• Payton Wilson
• Tyler Matakevich
• Mark Robinson
Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts are the starters. Payton Wilson is the unquestioned No. 3 here. He's earned it. Another one of the 'winners' of camp.
Tyler Matakevich gets a spot because he provides a ton of value on special teams. A fifth linebacker is usually difficult to justify, but Mark Robinson did enough to earn a spot for now. I've spoken with a few of his teammates recently, and all they've done is rant and rave about him.
One practice squad candidate to watch is Jacoby Windmon. He's really improved over the course of training camp and preseason. Even some of his other teammates have been wowed by his rapid growth.
As for Cole Holcomb, the Steelers' restructure of his deal during training camp will save them nearly $3 million as he will start the season on the PUP list.
CORNERBACKS (5)
• Joey Porter Jr.
• Donte Jackson
• Cory Trice Jr.
• Darius Rush
• Beanie Bishop
Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson look like a solid duo to start on the outside. Cory Trice Jr. has improved throughout the course of camp and the preseason, to the point where he is pretty much the third guy now.
After those three, it gets murky. Beanie Bishop won the slot corner role, but I truly think the Steelers aren't done adding here. Tomlin has continuously seemed to prefer just about anyone else over Bishop. Maybe the Steelers keep him, but I'm inclined to believe this is a position that could be addressed via waivers or trade.
Darius Rush makes it as a depth cornerback and has the ability to play as a gunner on special teams.
SAFETIES (5)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick
• DeShon Elliott
• Damontae Kazee
• Miles Killebrew
• Jalen Elliott
The top four here are as easy as can be to predict. Jalen Elliott is the only surprise here. Perhaps he doesn't make it if Ryan Watts didn't get injured in the preseason finale, but Watts was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season before it could begin.
Should the Steelers need a roster spot for any further moves, Elliott is a prime candidate to be the casualty.
SPECIALISTS (3)
• Chris Boswell
• Cameron Johnston
• Christian Kuntz
The easiest position to project. This has been ironclad ever since the team signed Cameron Johnston in free agency and re-signed Christian Kuntz to a three-year deal this spring. And, Chris Boswell is still drilling bombs. This is a formidable trio.
