With minicamp in the books, and the starting quarterback now under contract, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2025 NFL season.
There will still be changes made through training camp and the preseason, but it's at least a little easier to see how the roster might look when it's cut to 53 players on Aug. 27.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers Mason Rudolph Will Howard
With Rodgers under contract, the room is now set. It'll be the three above that make the roster, with Skylar Thompson as the fourth during training camp and the preseason. Should any of Rodgers, Rudolph or Howard suffer an injury, Thompson would bump up.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Jaylen Warren Kaleb Johnson Kenneth Gainwell
The Steelers moved on from Najee Harris, leaving Warren as the de facto No. 1 running back. However, Warren will have two others competing for touches, as well.
The Steelers signed Gainwell to a very affordable one-year, $1.79 million contract. He's a good receiving option out of the backfield and is an accomplished blocker in pass protection. Then, they secured any need at the position when they selected Johnson out of Iowa in the third round of the NFL Draft. Tomlin himself called Johnson a "high-volume and capable runner," suggesting that he's going to compete for touches right away.
Cordarrelle Patterson's still on the roster after minicamp, but I have a hard time thinking he'll earn one of 53 precious roster spots.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
DK Metcalf Calvin Austin III Robert Woods Roman Wilson Ben Skowronek
I truly believe this position will look different by the time Aug. 27 rolls around, most likely with a trade for a WR2-type of receiver or circling back around to Gabe Davis in a couple months to see if his knee is in better shape.
Until then, the room is set. Metcalf, Austin and Woods are locks. Skowronek, a special teams whiz, is also a lock, as he just signed a two-year contract. Woods is the only one of this group that's vulnerable. He's on a one-year deal, and Scotty Miller has more experience playing in Arthur Smith's offense.
If and when the Steelers acquire another wide receiver, I believe the group would most likely be Metcalf, external addition, Austin, Wilson and Skowronek with Woods/Miller as the candidates for a sixth receiver, should the Steelers carry one.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Pat Freiermuth Darnell Washington Connor Heyward DJ Thomas-Jones
This group is pretty set. Freiermuth's the main guy, Washington's the block-first guy and Heyward's the versatile piece. Donald Parham would have been a legitimate guy in this offense, but that ended when he tore his Achilles during OTAs.
I believe the Steelers will once again have four tight ends on the roster, so I have Thomas-Jones making it right now. He can play fullback when needed, and he was an active member in the passing game throughout OTAs and minicamp.
The Steelers still may explore external additions, as they've made calls to the Dolphins about Jonnu Smith and the Falcons about Kyle Pitts, both of them former players under Smith.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Broderick Jones Isaac Seumalo Zach Frazier Mason McCormick Troy Fautanu Calvin Anderson Spencer Anderson Ryan McCollum Dylan Cook
The quintet of Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, McCormick and Fautanu is the starting five. It's a young group anchored by one veteran, but it's a group that needs to play together as much as possible. That's crucial for both their individual and collective development.
The Steelers brought back Calvin Anderson to be the swing tackle, Spencer Anderson will be the versatile piece that can play guard or tackle and McCollum proved his worth as a backup center while filling in for Frazier for a couple games last season. Cook has been a depth piece at tackle the Steelers have liked for a while, so I have him rounding out the room.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward Keeanu Benton Derrick Harmon Daniel Ekuale Yahya Black Isaiahh Loudermilk Logan Lee
With Karl Dunbar last week naming Harmon as a starter at left defensive end, the starting three up front is set. Heyward and Harmon are the two ends with Benton as the nose tackle. The only thing that's left to be seen is whether Harmon or Benton play most often next to Heyward when the Steelers only have two defensive tackles on the field in their nickel and dime packages.
As for depth, Ekuale seems like a pretty solid lock. I don't want to call Black a lock just yet, but there was a lot of positivity that came from his participation in OTAs and minicamp. Loudermilk seems to be a consistent part of the rotation, especially in run defense, and his contribution on special teams could earn him a spot. Should the Steelers carry seven defensive tackles, which I believe they will, they could go with the young Lee over keeping Dean Lowry.
EDGE RUSHER (4)
T.J. Watt Alex Highsmith Nick Herbig Jack Sawyer
Easiest position to project. Watt and Highsmith are the starters, Herbig's the first guy on the field when either of them need a spell and Sawyer is a run-first depth option. He'll be this year's Preston Smith, but with some upside as a rookie.
DeMarvin Leal is trying to make the roster as an edge, but I just don't see him making it at all. The defensive tackle room is too deep, and edge is even deeper. It just never panned out with him and the Steelers. Maybe Omar Khan can pull off some late summer trade to recoup something, like he did with Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson a couple years ago.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen Payton Wilson Cole Holcomb Malik Harrison Mark Robinson
Queen and Wilson are the primary two guys here, and Holcomb is a bit of a wildcard coming off not playing for a season and a half due to a gruesome knee injury. Should he return to pre-injury form, this could be a dangerous group.
The Steelers moved on from Elandon Roberts in March. They opted to sign Harrison, a former Raven, to a two-year, $10 million contract while Roberts signed with the Raiders for a very affordable one-year, $3.01 million deal. Harrison's not going anywhere.
The purpose of the Harrison signing is to have a depth linebacker that can both stop the run and play special teams. The Steelers had that with Roberts as the former and Tyler Matakevich as the latter last season, but now Harrison can do both for the price of just one roster spot. The issue is Harrison has yet to prove he can be as effective, especially in run defense. He didn't really get his first crack at extended time playing linebacker until 2024 when Trenton Simpson was benched midseason.
There won't be room for six linebackers, so Robinson and Carson Bruener will have some sort of competition in training camp. The better special teams player will likely have the upper hand.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Joey Porter Jr. Darius Slay Beanie Bishop Cory Trice Jr. Brandin Echols Donte Kent
Swapping Donte Jackson for Slay is a major upgrade. According to both Pro Football Focus, Slay ranked third-best in reception percentage when targeted (51.7%) and fourth-best in forced incompletion percentage (20%) among cornerbacks who played at least 350 snaps in 2024. And, Slay's comfort with lining up and making plays off the ball will translate well to the Steelers' Cover 3-heavy scheme, though I believe his presence will lead to more man coverage this season.
Outside cornerback is taken care of. Behind Slay are Echols and Trice, in that order. The Steelers still have high hopes for Trice. He just needs to stay on the field. Echols is a cheap free-agent signing that can play both outside and in the slot.
Slot corner is completely up for grabs, but it's Bishop's spot to lose. Kent, the team's second of two seventh-round picks in this year's draft, is his main competition for the spot. That's probably the biggest actual position battle to watch during training camp, but I believe both will make the roster.
SAFETIES (4)
Minkah Fitzpatrick DeShon Elliott Juan Thornhill Miles Killebrew
Along with edge rusher, just an easy position to project. The Steelers swapped out Damontae Kazee for Thornhill, which is an uprgade. Thornhill had his struggles in Cleveland, but he's the centerfielder the Steelers need to let Fitzpatrick get back to being the ball-hawking safety he was prior to 2023. No more of him lining up 25 yards off the line of scrimmage to be a firefighter. Upgrading outside cornerback and adding Thornhill, in theory, should do that.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell Cameron Johnston Christian Kuntz
The only question here is at punter. That's both out of cautious concern over Johnston's recovery from a bad knee injury and a credit to Corliss Waitman for doing a phenomenal job in his stead last season. However, if there are no concerns over Johnston's knee, he'll be the guy. But, it's great to have those two in training camp in case something bad happens.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
10:31 pm - 06.16.2025South SideHalicke: A post-minicamp 53-man roster projection
With minicamp in the books, and the starting quarterback now under contract, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2025 NFL season.
There will still be changes made through training camp and the preseason, but it's at least a little easier to see how the roster might look when it's cut to 53 players on Aug. 27.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers
Mason Rudolph
Will Howard
With Rodgers under contract, the room is now set. It'll be the three above that make the roster, with Skylar Thompson as the fourth during training camp and the preseason. Should any of Rodgers, Rudolph or Howard suffer an injury, Thompson would bump up.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Jaylen Warren
Kaleb Johnson
Kenneth Gainwell
The Steelers moved on from Najee Harris, leaving Warren as the de facto No. 1 running back. However, Warren will have two others competing for touches, as well.
The Steelers signed Gainwell to a very affordable one-year, $1.79 million contract. He's a good receiving option out of the backfield and is an accomplished blocker in pass protection. Then, they secured any need at the position when they selected Johnson out of Iowa in the third round of the NFL Draft. Tomlin himself called Johnson a "high-volume and capable runner," suggesting that he's going to compete for touches right away.
Cordarrelle Patterson's still on the roster after minicamp, but I have a hard time thinking he'll earn one of 53 precious roster spots.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
DK Metcalf
Calvin Austin III
Robert Woods
Roman Wilson
Ben Skowronek
I truly believe this position will look different by the time Aug. 27 rolls around, most likely with a trade for a WR2-type of receiver or circling back around to Gabe Davis in a couple months to see if his knee is in better shape.
Until then, the room is set. Metcalf, Austin and Woods are locks. Skowronek, a special teams whiz, is also a lock, as he just signed a two-year contract. Woods is the only one of this group that's vulnerable. He's on a one-year deal, and Scotty Miller has more experience playing in Arthur Smith's offense.
If and when the Steelers acquire another wide receiver, I believe the group would most likely be Metcalf, external addition, Austin, Wilson and Skowronek with Woods/Miller as the candidates for a sixth receiver, should the Steelers carry one.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Pat Freiermuth
Darnell Washington
Connor Heyward
DJ Thomas-Jones
This group is pretty set. Freiermuth's the main guy, Washington's the block-first guy and Heyward's the versatile piece. Donald Parham would have been a legitimate guy in this offense, but that ended when he tore his Achilles during OTAs.
I believe the Steelers will once again have four tight ends on the roster, so I have Thomas-Jones making it right now. He can play fullback when needed, and he was an active member in the passing game throughout OTAs and minicamp.
The Steelers still may explore external additions, as they've made calls to the Dolphins about Jonnu Smith and the Falcons about Kyle Pitts, both of them former players under Smith.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Broderick Jones
Isaac Seumalo
Zach Frazier
Mason McCormick
Troy Fautanu
Calvin Anderson
Spencer Anderson
Ryan McCollum
Dylan Cook
The quintet of Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, McCormick and Fautanu is the starting five. It's a young group anchored by one veteran, but it's a group that needs to play together as much as possible. That's crucial for both their individual and collective development.
The Steelers brought back Calvin Anderson to be the swing tackle, Spencer Anderson will be the versatile piece that can play guard or tackle and McCollum proved his worth as a backup center while filling in for Frazier for a couple games last season. Cook has been a depth piece at tackle the Steelers have liked for a while, so I have him rounding out the room.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward
Keeanu Benton
Derrick Harmon
Daniel Ekuale
Yahya Black
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Logan Lee
With Karl Dunbar last week naming Harmon as a starter at left defensive end, the starting three up front is set. Heyward and Harmon are the two ends with Benton as the nose tackle. The only thing that's left to be seen is whether Harmon or Benton play most often next to Heyward when the Steelers only have two defensive tackles on the field in their nickel and dime packages.
As for depth, Ekuale seems like a pretty solid lock. I don't want to call Black a lock just yet, but there was a lot of positivity that came from his participation in OTAs and minicamp. Loudermilk seems to be a consistent part of the rotation, especially in run defense, and his contribution on special teams could earn him a spot. Should the Steelers carry seven defensive tackles, which I believe they will, they could go with the young Lee over keeping Dean Lowry.
EDGE RUSHER (4)
T.J. Watt
Alex Highsmith
Nick Herbig
Jack Sawyer
Easiest position to project. Watt and Highsmith are the starters, Herbig's the first guy on the field when either of them need a spell and Sawyer is a run-first depth option. He'll be this year's Preston Smith, but with some upside as a rookie.
DeMarvin Leal is trying to make the roster as an edge, but I just don't see him making it at all. The defensive tackle room is too deep, and edge is even deeper. It just never panned out with him and the Steelers. Maybe Omar Khan can pull off some late summer trade to recoup something, like he did with Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson a couple years ago.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Cole Holcomb
Malik Harrison
Mark Robinson
Queen and Wilson are the primary two guys here, and Holcomb is a bit of a wildcard coming off not playing for a season and a half due to a gruesome knee injury. Should he return to pre-injury form, this could be a dangerous group.
The Steelers moved on from Elandon Roberts in March. They opted to sign Harrison, a former Raven, to a two-year, $10 million contract while Roberts signed with the Raiders for a very affordable one-year, $3.01 million deal. Harrison's not going anywhere.
The purpose of the Harrison signing is to have a depth linebacker that can both stop the run and play special teams. The Steelers had that with Roberts as the former and Tyler Matakevich as the latter last season, but now Harrison can do both for the price of just one roster spot. The issue is Harrison has yet to prove he can be as effective, especially in run defense. He didn't really get his first crack at extended time playing linebacker until 2024 when Trenton Simpson was benched midseason.
There won't be room for six linebackers, so Robinson and Carson Bruener will have some sort of competition in training camp. The better special teams player will likely have the upper hand.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Joey Porter Jr.
Darius Slay
Beanie Bishop
Cory Trice Jr.
Brandin Echols
Donte Kent
Swapping Donte Jackson for Slay is a major upgrade. According to both Pro Football Focus, Slay ranked third-best in reception percentage when targeted (51.7%) and fourth-best in forced incompletion percentage (20%) among cornerbacks who played at least 350 snaps in 2024. And, Slay's comfort with lining up and making plays off the ball will translate well to the Steelers' Cover 3-heavy scheme, though I believe his presence will lead to more man coverage this season.
Outside cornerback is taken care of. Behind Slay are Echols and Trice, in that order. The Steelers still have high hopes for Trice. He just needs to stay on the field. Echols is a cheap free-agent signing that can play both outside and in the slot.
Slot corner is completely up for grabs, but it's Bishop's spot to lose. Kent, the team's second of two seventh-round picks in this year's draft, is his main competition for the spot. That's probably the biggest actual position battle to watch during training camp, but I believe both will make the roster.
SAFETIES (4)
Minkah Fitzpatrick
DeShon Elliott
Juan Thornhill
Miles Killebrew
Along with edge rusher, just an easy position to project. The Steelers swapped out Damontae Kazee for Thornhill, which is an uprgade. Thornhill had his struggles in Cleveland, but he's the centerfielder the Steelers need to let Fitzpatrick get back to being the ball-hawking safety he was prior to 2023. No more of him lining up 25 yards off the line of scrimmage to be a firefighter. Upgrading outside cornerback and adding Thornhill, in theory, should do that.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell
Cameron Johnston
Christian Kuntz
The only question here is at punter. That's both out of cautious concern over Johnston's recovery from a bad knee injury and a credit to Corliss Waitman for doing a phenomenal job in his stead last season. However, if there are no concerns over Johnston's knee, he'll be the guy. But, it's great to have those two in training camp in case something bad happens.
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