Steelers 2021 Roster Prediction

QB(3): Roethlisberger, Rudolph, Haskins

Rudolph not playing last night tells us he had the QB2 job locked up. Haskins and Dobbs were competing for the third spot. Neither guy took the job by the throat against the Panthers, but Dobbs’s injury may have made that decision for by default.

RB(5): Harris, McFarland Jr., Ballage, Snell Jr., Watt

Based on reports coming out of Steelers practices, the FB position was featured heavily in the early going. Trey Edmunds can back up Derek Watt, but he’ll clear waivers and can be stashed on the practice squad. Najee can be a three-down back, but I like McFarland on 3rd and long, and Ballage on 3rd and short. Benny Snell couldn’t get on the field in preseason, and didn’t do much against Carolina. But he’s good insurance against injury, and the room looks more rounded with him around.

TE(3): Ebron, Freiermuth, Gentry

Came down to Gentry v. Rader. Either could probably be carried on the practice squad. Freiermuth’s addition to the blocking game should make Rader’s contributions redundant.

WR(5): Smith-Schuster, D. Johnson, Claypool, Washington, McCloud

Matthew Sexton did his best to lose the returner job, putting two punts on the ground Friday against the Panthers. He also offers nothing offensively, and Ray-Ray McCloud showed an ability to be dynamic catching passes. With all the other weapons the Steelers have, let’s hope they don’t need him to run routes.

OL(9): Okorafor, Dotson, Green, Turner, Banner, Moore, Finney, Hassenaeur, Haeg

Coward isn’t quite ready yet, but neither was Zach Banner when he first showed up. I want to see what he can do practicing against NFL guys for a whole year, and he can be stashed. I gave his spot to an extra defensive lineman, as Tuitt insurance.

DL(6): Tuitt, Alualu, Heyward, Buggs, Wormley, Loudermilk

Tuitt is a bit of a question mark, but Cam Heyward isn’t worried, so neither am I. As a fan. But if I’m running a business I hope for sunshine and prepare for rain. I’d be shocked to see Loudermilk not make the 53, after the team traded up to get him.

ILB(5): Bush, Schobert, Gilbert III, Allen, Johnson

UG3 did enough in the preseason finale. Marcus Allen can provide emergency safety depth. All the good will Robert Spillane garnered by stuffing Derrick Henry at the goalline last year has evaporated by watching him in coverage this preseason.

OLB(5): Watt, Highsmith, Ingram, Jones, Marsh

Jamir Jones leapt over Cassius Marsh to go from emergency depth to a part of the pass rush rotation. Marsh could lose his spot to D-line depth (Carlos Davis) if Stephon Tuitt doesn’t trend upwards.

CB(5): Haden, Sutton, Pierre, Layne, Maulet

James Pierre showed a willingness and utility in run support in the preseason finale. His speed coming off the edge could be a devastating blitz if he gets a look at the Mike Hilton role. I also like his speed and size on the outside, and kicking Cam Sutton inside to the nickel. His football IQ should make it easier for him to step in and out of various roles.

S(4): Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Killebrew, Norwood

Granted the Steelers had an extra game on the schedule, but Miles Killebrew led the entire NFL in tackles this preseason. Tre Norwood dropped at least 3 picks this preseason, and the Steelers are neither in the horse shoes nor the hand grenades business. On the other hand, a dropped pick is still a pass defended, and Norwood isn’t trying out to be a receiver.

Specialists(3): Boswell, Harvin III, Canaday

Harvin is already close enough to Berry to be able to compete for the job, but his room to grow is what gives him the edge. The long-snapper position is the one guy you never want showing up on tape, and Canaday made himself vulnerable by racking up a resume last season. Kuntz offers more in coverage but according to Alex Kozora’s charting Canaday has the quicker snap. Ask any kicker or punter in the NFL which they’d prefer in a long-snapper.