Perspective Of An Common Steelers Fan: City Corridor 2025 Roster Prediction

A number of Steelers Depot readers talk about the Black and Gold each Monday Evening on the Clubhouse app. This previous Monday, we made early predictions on what the Steelers preliminary 53-man roster will probably be, primarily based on the present roster.

There’s already modifications resulting from Pittsburgh’s most up-to-date transactions over the previous few weeks. And there will probably be extra as soon as coaching camp begins. We’ll follow-up with a revised roster halfway by way of camp. This was our closing prediction final yr.

Right here is the offense we produced this previous Monday:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

Aaron Rodgers
Mason Rudolph
Will Howard

Follow Squad – Skylar Thompson

No surprises right here. Three quarterbacks with a fourth stashed on the apply squad. The Steelers usually carry three. In 2019, they made an exception and traded Josh Dobbs to Jacksonville. Simply Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph on the roster. Ben was misplaced for the season. Mason was concussed towards Baltimore, and that led to the “Duck Season” with Devin Hodges introduced out of NFL obscurity.

Operating Backs (4)

Jaylen Warren
Kaleb Johnson
Kenneth Gainwell
Trey Sermon

Follow Squad – Cordarrelle Patterson

The primary three backs are simple to pick out. However we debated between retaining Patterson or Sermon on the roster. Patterson does return kicks however proved ineffectual final yr. Kickers began the season avoiding him. By season’s finish, they have been kicking to him as an alternative of Jaylen Warren.

Tight Ends and Fullbacks (4)

Pat Freiermuth
Darnell Washington
Jonnu Smith
JJ Galbreath

Follow Squad – Connor Heyward and fullback DJ Thomas-Jones

We mix tight ends and fullbacks. Fullback appears to be nearer to tight ends resulting from H-backs and gamers in twin roles. New acquisition Jonnu Smith is an apparent selection for the roster. We went forwards and backwards between Galbreath and Heyward. In 2024, Connor performed half the offensive snaps from 2023. However his 303 particular groups snaps tied with Myles Killebrew for many on the workforce in 2024. However in the long run, Galbreath’s greater body and youth gained out. We in contrast Heyward’s state of affairs to Roosevelt Nix. His offensive alternatives declining and youthful gamers able to step into particular groups roles.

Large Receivers (5)

Calvin Austin III
DK Metcalf
Roman Wilson
Ben Skowronek
Robert Woods

Follow Squad – Scotty Miller, Brandon Johnson and Roc Taylor

We first talked about what number of receivers to maintain – 5 – 6? However since Arthur Smith likes tight finish heavy schemes, we went with 5. Metcalf, Austin and Wilson have been simple decisions for the roster. Skowronek was subsequent for his potential as a gunner on particular groups. We debated about youth versus expertise. And having a dependable backup for Metcalf. Roc Taylor and Brandon Johnson have been thought of. However Scotty Miller labored out with Aaron Rodgers. They usually picked up Robert Woods. We determined Johnson and Taylor have been greatest fitted to Follow Squad. Then picked Woods over Miller extra for the scale distinction.

Offensive Line (9)

Zach Frazier
Isaac Seumalo
Mason McCormick
Broderick Jones
Troy Fautanu
Ryan McCollum
Max Scharping
Spencer Anderson
Dylan Prepare dinner

Follow Squad – Gareth Warren and Doug Nester

We wished to maintain 10 offensive linemen since this group was hit by accidents final yr. However different positional wants saved us at 9. The primary 5 characterize the beginning line-up. Ryan McCollum a back-up heart and Max Scharping an inside line back-up. We had a protracted chat concerning the swing deal with. A number of of us appreciated Gareth Warren for his measurement (333 kilos). However swing is just too vital to entrust to a rookie. So, we shifted to Calvin Anderson or Dylan Prepare dinner. Prepare dinner is a pair years youthful and just a little heavier with some NFL expertise giving him the nod. Spencer Anderson a logical selection resulting from his versatility all alongside the road.

Protection (25)

Right here is the protection we produced:

Defensive Line (7)

Cam Heyward
Derrick Harmon
Keeanu Benton
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Logan Lee
Daniel Ekuale
Yahya Black

Follow Squad – DeMarvin Leal and Dean Lowry

We wished to maintain eight defensive linemen like final yr. However shedding Minkah Fitzpatrick means defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin should be inventive with the secondary. Heyward, Harmon and Benton, clearly. We included Logan Lee, however he must set a powerful tempo after lacking final season. Yahya Black’s measurement and status as a run stuffer get him on the roster resulting from final season’s weak spot.

Initially, we dropped each Loudermilk and Leal. Favoring Dean Lowry over who’ve underdelivered. Final yr, we stated “Leal had yet another yr to show his value.” He performed his least variety of snaps in 2024 in his quick profession. Plus, Loudermilk used extra on particular groups. Then we took Daniel Ekuale, who performed for the Patriots final season. He’s about the identical age as Lowry and we thought the workforce wished some recent beef on the road.

Linebackers (8)

Outdoors Linebackers/Edge

T.J. Watt
Alex Highsmith
Nick Herbig
Jack Sawyer

Inside Linebackers

Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Malik Harrison
Cole Holcomb

Follow Squad – Carson Bruener, Mark Robinson, Jeremiah Moon, and Julius Welschof

Outdoors linebacker fairly simple. Simply rookie draft decide Jack Sawyer supplanting Jeremiah Moon. Extra changeover with the within linebackers. Queen and Wilson the seemingly starters with Mali Harrison and Cole Holcomb backing them up. We’ll see if Holcomb is absolutely recovered and a full participant at first of camp. He attended the OTA’s which is encouraging. We left Mark Robinson off final yr. Simply eight defensive snaps final yr, however a beastly 301 particular groups snaps. The Steelers may activate him from the apply squad as wanted, however simply not sufficient room on the roster. Welschof a freebie to carry on the apply squad.

Secondary (10)

Cornerbacks (6)

Joey Porter Jr.
Darius Slay
Jalen Ramsey
Cory Trice Jr.
Beanie Bishop
Brandin Echols

Safeties (4)

DeShon Elliott
Juan Thornhill
Miles Killebrew
Sebastian Castro

Follow Squad – James Pierre, Donte Kent

We consider Omar Khan might not be accomplished tinkering with this room. Two starters are gone from final season: Minkah Fitzpatrick and Donte Jackson. The commerce for Jalen Ramsey looms massive together with his potential to play security, outdoors nook and the slot. Hoping stories of Daris Slay’s knee issues are exaggerated. However we’re bullish on Trice if he avoids the damage bug. Undecided Thornhill is an sufficient alternative for Minkah. That is the place the protection should be inventive. Perhaps one-safety defenses with further corners. James Pierre is one other veteran on his approach out.

Specialists (3)

Ok Chris Boswell
P Corliss Waiman
LS Christian Kuntz

Boswell and Kuntz are locks for the roster. However it’s good that Tucker Addington, who’s 4 years youthful than Kuntz, was introduced in for competitors. Essentially the most intriguing battle is at punter. Cameron Johnston began the yr however bought damage within the first recreation. Corliss Waitman changed him and had a stable season as a punter and place kick holder. We gave the sting to the present incumbent. Returners appear to have issue cleanly fielding his punts.

Conclusion

Our preliminary 53-man roster has 25 offensive and 25 defensive gamers together with the three specialists. On the apply squad, we went with 9 on offense and eight on protection.

Rebuilding shouldn’t be within the Pittsburgh Steelers vocabulary. However we now have 18 gamers who weren’t on Pittsburgh’s roster in 2024. Over one third of the workforce is new and beginning in key positions: quarterback, broad receiver, operating again, line of defense and the secondary. The present 91 man roster is youthful. Solely one of many 15 offensive linemen is over 30. Identical for the quarterback, operating again, broad receiver and linebacker rooms. All of the tight ends are underneath 30. It looks like an intentional transfer to get youthful and maybe extra aggressive.

Omar Khan has been a busy man. There are seemingly going to be extra transactions between now and the top of coaching camp. We’ll kind predictions mid-camp and a closing prediction earlier than the primary preseason recreation. Did we miss any gamers on the present 91-man roster we must always have included on the 53? Tell us.

Your Track Choice

I at all times like to incorporate a little bit of music. “Candy Disposition” by Mood Entice exemplifies the younger gamers having relentless vitality and being prepared to go away all of it on the sphere of play.