With training camp in the books, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2025 NFL season.
There can still be several changes between now and when the roster is cut to 53 players on Aug. 27. However, the bulk of those who will make the roster are already in Pittsburgh. And with training camp completed, we have a better idea of who could be on it.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers Mason Rudolph Will Howard
Skylar Thompson looked great in the preseason opener against the Jaguars. However, let's cool the jets a little bit. Howard isn't dealing with a season-ending injury. The Steelers won't risk putting him through waivers to stash him on the practice squad. Howard will be on the roster. I'm sure the Steelers would love to bring Thompson back and keep him on the practice squad, but there could be a team out there who needs a QB3, so he could be on the move.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Jaylen Warren Kaleb Johnson Kenneth Gainwell
Warren's the No. 1 back, but both Johnson and Gainwell will get plenty of touches, too. Johnson's got some room to grow, both as a ball carrier and in pass protection, but the upside is going to get him playing time. Gainwell has a specific role in this offense, lining up both in the backfield and split out as a receiver. The Steelers usually only keep three running backs, and there's nobody else who's threatening these three for a spot. Maybe Trey Sermon can be stashed on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
DK Metcalf Calvin Austin III Roman Wilson Scotty Miller Ben Skowronek
Despite the external concern for the wide receiver position, the Steelers have a lot of faith in who they have. Yes, Omar Khan is making calls when others become available, but there's no guarantee the Steelers make a move prior to the season. In the meantime, Metcalf, Austin, Wilson and Skowronek are locks for the roster. If the Steelers don't add another receiver, Miller stands the best chance, based off performance in camp and the preseason. It's not likely the team rosters six receivers, so undrafted darlings such as Max Hurleman and Roc Taylor, along with practice squad incumbents such as Brandon Johnson, stand only a chance to earn a spot on a roster elsewhere or on Pittsburgh's practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Jonnu Smith Pat Freiermuth Darnell Washington Connor Heyward
This group is pretty set. Adding Smith to the mix gives the Steelers great talent and depth at tight end, along with Washington's emergence as a borderline cheat code in training camp. Heyward has also had some very good days in camp, so he'll get a roster spot, too. I mean, Arthur Smith has 04 personnel (zero running backs, four tight ends) in the playbook. The Steelers will have four tight ends on the roster.
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.
Calvin Anderson could be in danger of not making the roster if his injury is long term. If that's the case, Andrus Peat would likely get one of the nine spots for the offensive line. Spencer Anderson is a versatile depth piece, McCollum is a solid backup center and Cook, who had a fine performance in camp, could be a quality swing tackle.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward Keeanu Benton Derrick Harmon Daniel Ekuale Yahya Black Logan Lee Isaiahh Loudermilk
Heyward, Benton and Harmon are the unquestioned starting three in the team's base 3-4 defense. Ekuale has been a pretty consistent force on the interior, and Lee's been a versatile guy, bouncing around from nose tackle to defensive end. Black has been really impressive, taking up all kinds of space and batting down passes left and right. He had a phenomenal camp. Loudermilk could still earn a spot because of his versatility to play multiple techniques, plus his ability to contribute on special teams.
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 going to be on the outside looking in. Sawyer's ahead of him on the depth chart, and it's not particularly close.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen Payton Wilson Cole Holcomb Malik Harrison Mark Robinson
Queen and Wilson are the primary two guys here. Holcomb will be the first guy on the field when either need a play off, but Queen played 100% of the defensive snaps last season, so I don't foresee him needing a break unless injuries dictate it. Harrison will be the fourth linebacker, and he can be a great force as a run defender, meaning he could see the field on short-yardage downs. Harrison is a Mack truck when he's running downhill. The Steelers could keep a fifth linebacker, and that'll be between Robinson and Carson Bruener. Really, it could be either one of them earning that spot as both can play defense and special teams. I went with Robinson because of his ability to make forcible contact in either phase of the game.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Jalen Ramsey Joey Porter Jr. Darius Slay Brandin Echols James Pierre Cory Trice Jr.
The cornerback position hasn't been this strong since ... Rod Woodson? Mel Blount? Ramsey looks like a top-5 cornerback in the league, and he's the top guy alongside Porter and Slay, who are both great man coverage corners, as well. When the Steelers are in their base defense, Ramsey will play free safety while Porter and Slay play outside cornerback. The rest of the time, when these three are on the field together, which will be as often as possible., Ramsey will shift to the slot. Echols is undoubtedly CB4, coming off a great performance in training camp. He will likely be the primary dimeback, and could very well be the backup slot cornerback if Ramsey is injured or has to play outside if Porter or Slay are injured. As for the final two spots, it comes down to Pierre, Trice and Beanie Bishop. The problem for Bishop is he only plays the slot while both Pierre and Trice can both play outside and contribute on special teams. In fact, Pierre is the best special teamer of this entire group. Thus, it's a real climb for Bishop right now.
SAFETIES (4)
DeShon Elliott Juan Thornhill Chuck Clark Miles Killebrew
Trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire Ramsey initially made the safety position a legitimate question mark, but the dust has clearly settled after three weeks of training camp. Thornhill looks like the guy who had eight interceptions in four years with the Chiefs rather than the guy who had no picks in two years with the Browns. He's the unquestioned guy at free safety when Ramsey's not there in the base defense. Elliott is, well, Elliott. We saw what he can do last season. Killebrew is a lock for the roster as one of the best core special teamers in the NFL. The Steelers brought Clark in after the start of camp, and he's looked really good with the second-team defense, playing both free and strong safety. He's healthier now than he was with the Jets last season, giving this position the stability it needs after parting ways with a three-time first-team All-Pro in Fitzpatrick.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell Cameron Johnston Christian Kuntz
Boswell and Kuntz are obvious locks, though Ben Sauls showed at camp that he's worthy of being one of the 32 kickers in the NFL. At punter, it was a legitimate competition between Johnston and Corliss Waitman. Both look incredible. With Johnston proving he's fully recovered, it's just hard to see the Steelers moving on from him. Like Sauls, Waitman absolutely deserves to be one of the 32 starters at his position. I'll put it another way: If the Steelers started the season with Sauls and Waitman as their two specialists, they'd be in great shape. Fortunately, the Steelers have the best kicker in the league and Johnston, who came close to hitting airplanes flying overhead trying to land at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe.
THE ASYLUM
Post training camp 53-man roster projection
With training camp in the books, the Steelers' roster is closer to being set for the 2025 NFL season.
There can still be several changes between now and when the roster is cut to 53 players on Aug. 27. However, the bulk of those who will make the roster are already in Pittsburgh. And with training camp completed, we have a better idea of who could be on it.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Aaron Rodgers
Mason Rudolph
Will Howard
Skylar Thompson looked great in the preseason opener against the Jaguars. However, let's cool the jets a little bit. Howard isn't dealing with a season-ending injury. The Steelers won't risk putting him through waivers to stash him on the practice squad. Howard will be on the roster. I'm sure the Steelers would love to bring Thompson back and keep him on the practice squad, but there could be a team out there who needs a QB3, so he could be on the move.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Jaylen Warren
Kaleb Johnson
Kenneth Gainwell
Warren's the No. 1 back, but both Johnson and Gainwell will get plenty of touches, too. Johnson's got some room to grow, both as a ball carrier and in pass protection, but the upside is going to get him playing time. Gainwell has a specific role in this offense, lining up both in the backfield and split out as a receiver. The Steelers usually only keep three running backs, and there's nobody else who's threatening these three for a spot. Maybe Trey Sermon can be stashed on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
DK Metcalf
Calvin Austin III
Roman Wilson
Scotty Miller
Ben Skowronek
Despite the external concern for the wide receiver position, the Steelers have a lot of faith in who they have. Yes, Omar Khan is making calls when others become available, but there's no guarantee the Steelers make a move prior to the season. In the meantime, Metcalf, Austin, Wilson and Skowronek are locks for the roster. If the Steelers don't add another receiver, Miller stands the best chance, based off performance in camp and the preseason. It's not likely the team rosters six receivers, so undrafted darlings such as Max Hurleman and Roc Taylor, along with practice squad incumbents such as Brandon Johnson, stand only a chance to earn a spot on a roster elsewhere or on Pittsburgh's practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Jonnu Smith
Pat Freiermuth
Darnell Washington
Connor Heyward
This group is pretty set. Adding Smith to the mix gives the Steelers great talent and depth at tight end, along with Washington's emergence as a borderline cheat code in training camp. Heyward has also had some very good days in camp, so he'll get a roster spot, too. I mean, Arthur Smith has 04 personnel (zero running backs, four tight ends) in the playbook. The Steelers will have four tight ends on the roster.
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.
Calvin Anderson could be in danger of not making the roster if his injury is long term. If that's the case, Andrus Peat would likely get one of the nine spots for the offensive line. Spencer Anderson is a versatile depth piece, McCollum is a solid backup center and Cook, who had a fine performance in camp, could be a quality swing tackle.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (7)
Cam Heyward
Keeanu Benton
Derrick Harmon
Daniel Ekuale
Yahya Black
Logan Lee
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Heyward, Benton and Harmon are the unquestioned starting three in the team's base 3-4 defense. Ekuale has been a pretty consistent force on the interior, and Lee's been a versatile guy, bouncing around from nose tackle to defensive end. Black has been really impressive, taking up all kinds of space and batting down passes left and right. He had a phenomenal camp. Loudermilk could still earn a spot because of his versatility to play multiple techniques, plus his ability to contribute on special teams.
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 going to be on the outside looking in. Sawyer's ahead of him on the depth chart, and it's not particularly close.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Cole Holcomb
Malik Harrison
Mark Robinson
Queen and Wilson are the primary two guys here. Holcomb will be the first guy on the field when either need a play off, but Queen played 100% of the defensive snaps last season, so I don't foresee him needing a break unless injuries dictate it. Harrison will be the fourth linebacker, and he can be a great force as a run defender, meaning he could see the field on short-yardage downs. Harrison is a Mack truck when he's running downhill. The Steelers could keep a fifth linebacker, and that'll be between Robinson and Carson Bruener. Really, it could be either one of them earning that spot as both can play defense and special teams. I went with Robinson because of his ability to make forcible contact in either phase of the game.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Jalen Ramsey
Joey Porter Jr.
Darius Slay
Brandin Echols
James Pierre
Cory Trice Jr.
The cornerback position hasn't been this strong since ... Rod Woodson? Mel Blount? Ramsey looks like a top-5 cornerback in the league, and he's the top guy alongside Porter and Slay, who are both great man coverage corners, as well. When the Steelers are in their base defense, Ramsey will play free safety while Porter and Slay play outside cornerback. The rest of the time, when these three are on the field together, which will be as often as possible., Ramsey will shift to the slot. Echols is undoubtedly CB4, coming off a great performance in training camp. He will likely be the primary dimeback, and could very well be the backup slot cornerback if Ramsey is injured or has to play outside if Porter or Slay are injured. As for the final two spots, it comes down to Pierre, Trice and Beanie Bishop. The problem for Bishop is he only plays the slot while both Pierre and Trice can both play outside and contribute on special teams. In fact, Pierre is the best special teamer of this entire group. Thus, it's a real climb for Bishop right now.
SAFETIES (4)
DeShon Elliott
Juan Thornhill
Chuck Clark
Miles Killebrew
Trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire Ramsey initially made the safety position a legitimate question mark, but the dust has clearly settled after three weeks of training camp. Thornhill looks like the guy who had eight interceptions in four years with the Chiefs rather than the guy who had no picks in two years with the Browns. He's the unquestioned guy at free safety when Ramsey's not there in the base defense. Elliott is, well, Elliott. We saw what he can do last season. Killebrew is a lock for the roster as one of the best core special teamers in the NFL. The Steelers brought Clark in after the start of camp, and he's looked really good with the second-team defense, playing both free and strong safety. He's healthier now than he was with the Jets last season, giving this position the stability it needs after parting ways with a three-time first-team All-Pro in Fitzpatrick.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Chris Boswell
Cameron Johnston
Christian Kuntz
Boswell and Kuntz are obvious locks, though Ben Sauls showed at camp that he's worthy of being one of the 32 kickers in the NFL. At punter, it was a legitimate competition between Johnston and Corliss Waitman. Both look incredible. With Johnston proving he's fully recovered, it's just hard to see the Steelers moving on from him. Like Sauls, Waitman absolutely deserves to be one of the 32 starters at his position. I'll put it another way: If the Steelers started the season with Sauls and Waitman as their two specialists, they'd be in great shape. Fortunately, the Steelers have the best kicker in the league and Johnston, who came close to hitting airplanes flying overhead trying to land at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe.
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