McCorkle: 2025 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction (Ultimate Model)
The Pittsburgh Steelers will trim their 90-man roster all the way down to 53 on Tuesday with their closing preseason sport out of the best way. There weren’t that many true competitions for beginning roles, however loads of fascinating place battles performed themselves out all through coaching camp and the preseason during the last month.
Together with the cutdown to 53, the Steelers can place two gamers on IR/Designated to Return straight away to keep away from having to carry out roster gymnastics to stash essential gamers. All of that was taken into consideration when formulating this roster.
Try my unique prediction earlier than the beginning of camp to see what has modified.
OFFENSE – 24
Quarterbacks (3) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson
Evaluation: Will Howard looks like a candidate to be positioned on IR/Designated to Return at cutdowns so the Steelers can hold onto Thompson, who carried out very nicely within the preseason, whereas retaining management of the rookie. Even when Howard is near returning, he has zero NFL expertise. Stashing him on IR looks like one of the best route to maximise the present 53.
Operating Backs (3) – Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
Evaluation: Lew Nichols and Trey Sermon each impressed within the preseason and ought to be priorities for the follow squad.
Tight Ends (4) – Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
Evaluation: Arthur Smith groups virtually all the time maintain 4 tight ends. JJ Galbreath flashed in the beginning of camp, however Connor Heyward is extra versatile, a greater particular teamer, and drew reward from Aaron Rodgers as a “sensible participant.”
Broad Receivers (5) – DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller
Evaluation: Skowronek and Austin are battling by accidents, however they need to be on the preliminary 53 until their accidents are worse than anticipated or they endure setbacks. Skowronek is just too helpful as a particular teamer and appears to have loads of help from each coaches and friends to get launched. I don’t sense that Austin or Skowronek will begin the season on IR, however they will not be prepared for Week 1.
Robert Woods performed deep into preseason video games and hasn’t seemed good all through the summer season. Scotty Miller alternatively has impressed. Ke’Shawn Williams looks like a primary choice to stash on the follow squad and elevate on sport day as an additional WR and punt returner whereas Austin works his manner again from damage.
Offensive Tackles (3) – Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Andrus Peat
Evaluation: It wasn’t an accident that Peat instantly jumped Dylan Prepare dinner on the depth chart after he signed. The Steelers need to have an skilled backup. Calvin Anderson may very well be an IR/Designated to Return candidate, however they may additionally choose to stash Prepare dinner on the follow squad to raise as wanted.
Offensive Guards (4) – Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Doug Nester
Evaluation: Spencer Anderson was the beginning guard for many of camp and the preseason as Isaac Seumalo labored his manner again from damage. The ultimate guard spot is essentially the most fascinating right here with just a few worthy candidates. I nonetheless like Nester for his measurement and flexibility, however Max Scharping and Steven Jones are different choices. Don’t rule out the Steelers including another OL both, with reported curiosity in Dalton Risner final week.
Facilities (2) – Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum
Evaluation: McCollum’s play final 12 months whereas Frazier was out is sufficient to make the reduce, however he had some shaky play within the preseason.
DEFENSE – 26
Defensive Ends (5) – Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Evaluation: No participant did extra for his roster probabilities than Yahya Black throughout coaching camp and the preseason. He put an exclamation level on that with a two-sack efficiency within the preseason finale. Loudermilk beats a few of his competitors by the use of expertise within the system. The ultimate spot comes all the way down to Logan Lee and Otomewo. Emergency lengthy snapping apart, I’m unsure Lee did sufficient to justify his roster spot along with his play on protection.
Nostril Tackles (2) – Keeanu Benton, Daniel Ekuale
Evaluation: Ekuale’s expertise and flexibility make him the best backup right here. He could even break up some beginning snaps with Black at DE if Derrick Harmon’s knee damage holds him out a sport or two.
EDGE Rushers (4) –T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Evaluation: DeMarvin Leal stood out within the closing preseason sport, however not in a great way. He had a pair dangerous penalties and a missed sack or two. He’s wildly athletic for his measurement however hasn’t put it collectively as a soccer participant. A recent begin elsewhere is critical. Nick Herbig’s hamstring damage, if it seems to be worse than anticipated, is the one path for Leal.
Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
Evaluation: As a lot as I like Mark Robinson on particular groups, Carson Bruener has extra upside and is youthful. He did sufficient within the preseason to win the particular groups position that has Robinson crammed in current seasons. The opposite 4 have been locks since camp started in my eyes.
Cornerbacks (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, James Pierre, Cory Trice Jr.
Evaluation: I beforehand wrote about Beanie Bishop Jr.’s path to the 53 earlier than camp, and I don’t assume he did sufficient to hold onto a spot. If Cory Trice Jr. will get positioned on IR/Designated to Return, then Bishop may have a spot till Trice is wholesome. However Ramsey and Echols have sufficient versatility to cowl the slot, and Pierre provides extra on particular groups.
Donte Kent sadly couldn’t keep wholesome to follow or play within the preseason. They might take the Logan Lee route and stash him on IR, however they’d have to hold him on the preliminary 53-man roster to try this. If Trice goes IR/Designated to Return, perhaps they carry Kent at first to stash him after which attempt to re-sign Bishop.
It doesn’t assist that Bishop performed zero snaps within the closing preseason sport.
Safeties (4) – DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
Evaluation: Clark and Thornhill will help fill the opposite beginning security spot when Ramsey isn’t flexing again there. Killebrew ought to retain his position as a particular groups captain.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell
Evaluation: Ben Sauls made himself some cash with two lengthy area targets within the preseason finale, however not in Pittsburgh.
Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston
Evaluation: If this punter battle was neck and neck all preseason, Waitman’s 35-yard punt within the preseason finale could have sealed it. He seemed like he knew it within the second, too.
Lengthy Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz
Evaluation: A fractured sternum isn’t supreme, however he appears to assume he might play in Week 1.
