QBs (3): Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph
Despite reports that he had the best camp of the group, many fans feel Rudolph is extraneous to the Steelers plans. With 2019 still raw in our memories it’s unlikely Omar Khan pulls the trigger on a trade that would leave his team with only two signal-callers – neither of whom have taken a live snap for this team.
RBs (4): Najee Harris, Benny Snell, Jaylen Warren, Derek Watt
Snell has Danny Smith to thank for his job; so does Watt, for that matter. I’ve often said Warren is Najee Lite and would be stashed on the practice squad as a reasonable facsimile if god forbid… He appears to have surpassed expectations. I’d keep Anthony McFarland for his change-of-pace value over Snell, but who cares what I think.
TEs (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
Many asked if Heyward – a few inches shorter than any NFL TE, ever – had a path to the roster that didn’t go through Derek Watt. Connor quieted that snark by playing much bigger than his frame and showing the hands/ball-tracking ability that made him a mismatch over the middle at MSU.
WRs (7): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin, Steven Sims
This is a sneaky-deep group that will require some tough decisions. CA3 says his foot injury “feels great” but his lack of participation in preseason positions him as an IR candidate. Sims’ and Tyler Vaughn’s preseasons will make them risky on the waiver wire (say that three times fast) but Sims’ facility with the return game makes him the more valuable currency. Boykin’s been Pittsburgh’s best gunner this preseason (90.3 PFF grade for special teams).
OL (8): Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, JC Hassenauer
Much of Steelers Nation was grousing about Chuks’ contract extension a few months ago and now he looks like the most stable of the lot. Green isn’t staying because I like much (or any) of what he’s shown me, but because I’m not seeing enough from Dotson. It’s a classic “quantity, not quality” situation. The depth was a revolving door through camp so its not surprising there aren’t any surprises here.
DL (7) : Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, Tyson Alualu, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk
That Mondeaux sack dance has certainly made him one of my favorites, but he and the Davis brothers are headed for the practice squad. They’ll keep their phone ringers on; there’s a reason I kept seven here. It’s an experienced unit but that incurs its own risks. Adams missed the entire preseason so he’s another IR candidate.
EDGE (4): TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Derek Tuszka, [Outside Hire]
Genard Avery was a better pass rusher his rookie season than Highsmith was last year. Nobody saw his cut coming; I wonder if some behind-the-scenes stuff went down (“If it quacks like a Melvin Ingram…”). Rashed’s pass rush win rate through the first two games (11.5%) was second only to TJ’s (12.5%) but he laid an egg in the finale. UPDATE: the Steelers have traded for Broncos LB Malik Reed.
ILBs (4): Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Mark Robinson, Robert Spillane
Robinson did one thing very well this preseason: coming downhill. Coverage and containment are works in progress but the guy can sure hunt. I don’t enjoy cutting bait on Buddy Johnson after his second preseason but at least three other position groups need injury buffers. Sorry, kid; it’s not you it’s me.
CBs (5): Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Arthur Maulet
Justin Layne’s the odd man out here. His “gimme” interception in the middle preseason game will not be enough to save his job.
S’s (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Tre Norwood, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
Kazee had one of the loudest preseasons for this Steelers defense but was seen in an air cast after injuring a wrist in last night’s finale. He’s headed to IR but if he’s on the initial 53 he’ll be eligible to return after three weeks. Killebrew has been hampered by a pectoral injury all summer but makes the team on the strength of his two punt blocks from 2021. If he’s not ready, Elijah Riley – who came to Pittsburgh only three days prior and made a couple noticeable plays last night – certainly will be.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Presley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
No surprises this year. By the way, Jordan Berry lost another camp punting battle out in Minnesota.
Steely Cam 