With minicamp in the books, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2026 NFL season.
There's still all of training camp and the preseason to go, but it's clear there are some difficult rosters decisions to make in the coming months.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers Mason Rudolph Drew Allar
I fully believe Mike McCarthy will only stick with three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which means a tough decision is coming up on a room with the three names mentioned above, along with 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. Based on Dejan Kovacevic'sexclusive reporting on the summer's plan at quarterback, I have Rudolph earning the backup job and Allar being the development piece at QB3, making Howard the odd man out.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Rico Dowdle Jaylen Warren Kaleb Johnson Eli Heidenreich
Dowdle and Warren are the easy choices, splitting touches as the two primary running backs. I truly don't believe the team wants to just discard Johnson. I expect he'll be challenged to find a role on special teams and contribute that way. The same goes for Heidenreich, but he'll also be able to help on kick returns. Travis Homer is also an interesting option here because of his ability to be a real contributor on special teams, but the upside as a runner isn't as high compared to Johnson or Heidenreich.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
DK Metcalf Michael Pittman Jr. Germie Bernard Roman Wilson Ben Skowronek Kaden Wetjen
Metcalf, Pittman and Bernard are locks. Skowronek is also as close to a lock as possible given his prowess on special teams. Wetjen is also a solid bet, not only because of his immediate impact as a returner on both kicks and punts, but also has impressed as a receiver throughout OTAs and minicamp. As for Wilson, he's being given every opportunity to succeed in this new offense. He'll likely start out training camp as the de facto No. 3 receiver. While I don't believe that's what he'll be by the time the season begins, I also have a hard time believing he won't be on the roster.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
Pat Freiermuth Darnell Washington Riley Nowakowski
This is a little thin compared to last season, but I also don't believe the tight end position will be as featured as it was in Arthur Smith's offense a season ago. And yes, Nowakowski is the primary fullback and H-back, but he's spending the most amount of time with the tight ends, so he belongs here and will be utilized as such. A fourth tight end can be kept on the practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Troy Fautanu Mason McCormick Zach Frazier Spencer Anderson Dylan Cook Max Iheanachor Brock Hoffman Ryan McCollum Gennings Dunker
Fautanu, McCormick, Frazier, Anderson and Cook are the starting five to begin training camp with two primary battles. The first is at right guard, in which Anderson has a leg up over Hoffman and Dunker. Right tackle is the other battle, where Cook is currently slotted in as the starter. However, I don't want to assume Iheanachor can't win the job, either. He's got some growing to do, but already looks more polished than expected. I expect all those players to make the 53-man roster with McCollum as the backup center. As for Broderick Jones, I have him starting the season on injured reserve.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward Keeanu Benton Derrick Harmon Sebastian Joseph-Day Yahya Black Esezi Otomewo Dean Lowry
This number could easily be eight players, but I have it at seven for now due to the expected usage of subpackages by Patrick Graham. There will be a heavy emphasis on rotation, with Heyward, Benton and Harmon getting the bulk of the snaps. Joseph-Day and Black are two other nose tackles that can also line up at other spots. Otomewo really played well down the stretch last season and could earn a spot again. If Lowry is healthy coming off his torn ACL, he could earn a spot, too. I'd watch for sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio here, as well. I don't have him here because I have a hard time justifying four nose tackles out of seven total defensive linemen, though Rubio can play other spots, too.
EDGE RUSHER (4)
T.J. Watt Alex Highsmith Nick Herbig Jack Sawyer
There's no need to overthink anything here. Watt, Highsmith and Herbig are the main guys while Sawyer can earn a few defensive snaps per game while mainly contributing on special teams.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen Payton Wilson Cole Holcomb Carson Bruener Malik Harrison
Queen, Wilson, Holcomb and Bruener are locks, with Bruener primarily a special teams ace. Harrison isn't nearly as much of a guarantee, as former first-round pick Jamin Davis just earned a spot on the 90-man roster after a tryout at minicamp. Davis played previously under Graham, so there's a real possibility he beats out Harrison for a roster spot.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Joey Porter Jr. Jamel Dean Jalen Ramsey Daylen Everette Asante Samuel Jr. Brandin Echols
Teams don't often keep six cornerbacks. But, with the depth the Steelers have here, plus the expected uptick in nickel and dime defenses, there's a real chance the Steelers keep all six guys listed above. Also, with how much Ramsey will move around, he'll earn some snaps at safety, so that helps address that position as well. Echols will be kept to be the primary slot cornerback if and when Ramsey isn't on the field or is lined up as safety. Samuel figures to be the third outside cornerback right now. As for Everette, he's been really impressive thus far. Watch out for him during training camp.
SAFETIES (3)
Jaquan Brisker DeShon Elliott Robert Spears-Jennings
The Steelers have typically kept four safeties in the past, but as I mentioned, Ramsey contributing snaps here every now and then could provide a reason to roster only three of them. Brisker and Elliott will see lots of playing time, while Spears-Jennings will be given an opportunity to play a ton of special teams. Sebastian Castro and Darnell Savage are two names to watch here if the Steelers want to keep four true safeties. Both Castro and Savage can play more of the traditional centerfield free safety.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell Cameron Johnston Christian Kuntz
While there are two kickers and two long snappers on the roster, neither Boswell nor Kuntz are going anywhere. Johnston is also the only punter currently on the roster, paving the way for him to be the guy going into 2026.
THE ASYLUM
53-man roster projection: Difficult decisions
With minicamp in the books, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2026 NFL season.
There's still all of training camp and the preseason to go, but it's clear there are some difficult rosters decisions to make in the coming months.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers
Mason Rudolph
Drew Allar
I fully believe Mike McCarthy will only stick with three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which means a tough decision is coming up on a room with the three names mentioned above, along with 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. Based on Dejan Kovacevic's exclusive reporting on the summer's plan at quarterback, I have Rudolph earning the backup job and Allar being the development piece at QB3, making Howard the odd man out.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Rico Dowdle
Jaylen Warren
Kaleb Johnson
Eli Heidenreich
Dowdle and Warren are the easy choices, splitting touches as the two primary running backs. I truly don't believe the team wants to just discard Johnson. I expect he'll be challenged to find a role on special teams and contribute that way. The same goes for Heidenreich, but he'll also be able to help on kick returns. Travis Homer is also an interesting option here because of his ability to be a real contributor on special teams, but the upside as a runner isn't as high compared to Johnson or Heidenreich.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
DK Metcalf
Michael Pittman Jr.
Germie Bernard
Roman Wilson
Ben Skowronek
Kaden Wetjen
Metcalf, Pittman and Bernard are locks. Skowronek is also as close to a lock as possible given his prowess on special teams. Wetjen is also a solid bet, not only because of his immediate impact as a returner on both kicks and punts, but also has impressed as a receiver throughout OTAs and minicamp. As for Wilson, he's being given every opportunity to succeed in this new offense. He'll likely start out training camp as the de facto No. 3 receiver. While I don't believe that's what he'll be by the time the season begins, I also have a hard time believing he won't be on the roster.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
Pat Freiermuth
Darnell Washington
Riley Nowakowski
This is a little thin compared to last season, but I also don't believe the tight end position will be as featured as it was in Arthur Smith's offense a season ago. And yes, Nowakowski is the primary fullback and H-back, but he's spending the most amount of time with the tight ends, so he belongs here and will be utilized as such. A fourth tight end can be kept on the practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Troy Fautanu
Mason McCormick
Zach Frazier
Spencer Anderson
Dylan Cook
Max Iheanachor
Brock Hoffman
Ryan McCollum
Gennings Dunker
Fautanu, McCormick, Frazier, Anderson and Cook are the starting five to begin training camp with two primary battles. The first is at right guard, in which Anderson has a leg up over Hoffman and Dunker. Right tackle is the other battle, where Cook is currently slotted in as the starter. However, I don't want to assume Iheanachor can't win the job, either. He's got some growing to do, but already looks more polished than expected. I expect all those players to make the 53-man roster with McCollum as the backup center. As for Broderick Jones, I have him starting the season on injured reserve.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward
Keeanu Benton
Derrick Harmon
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Yahya Black
Esezi Otomewo
Dean Lowry
This number could easily be eight players, but I have it at seven for now due to the expected usage of subpackages by Patrick Graham. There will be a heavy emphasis on rotation, with Heyward, Benton and Harmon getting the bulk of the snaps. Joseph-Day and Black are two other nose tackles that can also line up at other spots. Otomewo really played well down the stretch last season and could earn a spot again. If Lowry is healthy coming off his torn ACL, he could earn a spot, too. I'd watch for sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio here, as well. I don't have him here because I have a hard time justifying four nose tackles out of seven total defensive linemen, though Rubio can play other spots, too.
EDGE RUSHER (4)
T.J. Watt
Alex Highsmith
Nick Herbig
Jack Sawyer
There's no need to overthink anything here. Watt, Highsmith and Herbig are the main guys while Sawyer can earn a few defensive snaps per game while mainly contributing on special teams.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Cole Holcomb
Carson Bruener
Malik Harrison
Queen, Wilson, Holcomb and Bruener are locks, with Bruener primarily a special teams ace. Harrison isn't nearly as much of a guarantee, as former first-round pick Jamin Davis just earned a spot on the 90-man roster after a tryout at minicamp. Davis played previously under Graham, so there's a real possibility he beats out Harrison for a roster spot.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Joey Porter Jr.
Jamel Dean
Jalen Ramsey
Daylen Everette
Asante Samuel Jr.
Brandin Echols
Teams don't often keep six cornerbacks. But, with the depth the Steelers have here, plus the expected uptick in nickel and dime defenses, there's a real chance the Steelers keep all six guys listed above. Also, with how much Ramsey will move around, he'll earn some snaps at safety, so that helps address that position as well. Echols will be kept to be the primary slot cornerback if and when Ramsey isn't on the field or is lined up as safety. Samuel figures to be the third outside cornerback right now. As for Everette, he's been really impressive thus far. Watch out for him during training camp.
SAFETIES (3)
Jaquan Brisker
DeShon Elliott
Robert Spears-Jennings
The Steelers have typically kept four safeties in the past, but as I mentioned, Ramsey contributing snaps here every now and then could provide a reason to roster only three of them. Brisker and Elliott will see lots of playing time, while Spears-Jennings will be given an opportunity to play a ton of special teams. Sebastian Castro and Darnell Savage are two names to watch here if the Steelers want to keep four true safeties. Both Castro and Savage can play more of the traditional centerfield free safety.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell
Cameron Johnston
Christian Kuntz
While there are two kickers and two long snappers on the roster, neither Boswell nor Kuntz are going anywhere. Johnston is also the only punter currently on the roster, paving the way for him to be the guy going into 2026.
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