Surprise! As we all know, all 32 NFL teams must go from 90 to 53 man rosters by 4 p.m. on Saturday, so I wanted to make one last roster prediction before those cut-downs occur. Lets get into it.
Offense (24)
Quarterbacks(3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Josh Dobbs
Analysis: If it wasn't already determined, Mason Rudolph 100% won the backup job in fourth game, he definitely outplayed Dobbs all preseason long. However, Devlin Hodges didn't show enough to overtake Dobbs in my opinion. An interesting practice squad candidate nonetheless.
Running backs (3): James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell
Analysis: I begrudgingly took Trey Edmunds off from my first roster prediction, as I can't see the team taking four running backs into the regular season anymore. It's tough, I really feel like Benny Snell has not impressed at all and I would rather have him on the practice squad and Trey Edmunds on the roster, because Trey Edmunds played so many special teams snaps and has been arguably way better. That being said, the Steelers can't really cut such a high pick, someone would likely take him, so for now I have these three making it.
Full back(s) (1): Roosevelt Nix
Analysis: Special teams ace and great lead blocker Nix had no challengers and is going nowhere.
Offensive Line (8): Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler, B.J. Finney, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zach Banner
Analysis: Most of this was easy, but I debated for a while whether or not Fred Johnson should make it. What it came down to whether I thought he, or Tuzar Skipper had a better chance of being claimed before making it to the practice squad and I chose Skipper to stay. It's been a while since a Steeler has been claimed off of waivers after cut down day, so I think Johnson will make it to the practice squad.
Wide Receivers (6): Juju Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer, Eli Rogers
Analysis: While not really seeing much from Switzer or Rogers this preseason, I felt like their competitors in Johnny Holton, Diontae Spencer, Tevin Jones, and Trey Griffey didn't show enough to dethrone them. Holton definitely had a solid showing in the final preseason game and Spencer looked good as a returner, but I just felt like they didn't do enough in the end.
Tight ends (3): Vance McDonald, Xavier Grimble, Zach Gentry
Analysis: I don't expect this to last. I have this as the initial roster until they trade for a tight end to replace Gentry as the number three here. Or possibly even someone who moves Grimble back into the number three spot as well. Anyhow, I expect Gentry on the practice squad not too much later after cut down day.
Defense (26)
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, Tyson Alualu, Isaiah Buggs, Daniel McCullers
Analysis: I was hoping for more from AAF stud Casey Sayles in his second stint with the Steelers, but I just didn't get it. Everyone here is pretty much locked in as no one really challenged these guys for their spots.
Inside Linebackers (5): Vince Williams, Devin Bush, Mark Barron, Tyler Matakevich, Ulysses Gilbert
Analysis: In my opinion, Matakevich needs to stay. He is the second best special teamer the Steelers have after Rosie Nix and I can't justify cutting him after losing L.J. Fort in the off-season. With Gilbert after initially thinking it was between him and Sutton Smith, it really came down to him verse Tuzar Skipper for most fans, but in my prediction, I got both. Gilbert showed a lot both on defense and special teams this preseason and while he projects as a game day inactive, he belongs on the roster.
Outside Linebackers (5): T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Ola Adeniyi, Anthony Chickillo, Tuzar Skipper
Analysis: Well, well, well. Look at Tuzar Skipper showing up and complicating things by getting two tackles on special teams in the final preseason game. Before that, he had three special teams snaps total, making him un-rosterable in my opinion. But, his performance this preseason was just ridiculous with 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles through the 4 games. That talent has to be preserved, even if he is inactive all year this year, I had to have the Steelers keep 10 linebackers for the first time since 2016.
Cornerbacks (6): Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton, Artie Burns, Justin Layne
Analysis: Now this was interesting. At the time I am writing this, I don't know the severity of Justin Layne's injury, and depending on how bad it is, he could go on IR, leaving a roster space open, but no current cornerback on the roster is good enough to make it instead of him. Spoiler alert, I don't even have another corner on my practice squad. Layne is due for a redshirt season anyway as he looks way to raw, but there may be an extra roster spot to give somewhere else if Layne needs to be placed on IR.
Safeties (4): Terrell Edmunds, Sean Davis, Kameron Kelly, Jordan Dangerfield
Analysis: For me it was too little too late for Marcus Allen. He forced a couple fumbles in the preseason, but with the rise of AAF star Kameron Kelly and Jordan Dangerfield being another really good special teams player, I couldn't have Marcus Allen make the 53 man roster. That being said, if the Steelers believe Sean Davis can't go in week 1, I can see them keeping Marcus Allen on until he is healthy for more depth.
Special Teams (3): Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, Kameron Canaday
Analysis: Wright missed both a 47 yard field goal and a PAT in the week 4 game against the Panthers, so if Boswell's spot wasn't already locked, it is now. Berryman did challenge Berry, but Berryman wasn't as good as Matt Wile and Christian Kuntz only got to challenge Canaday for his spot for about a week and a half, so those two stay the same as well.
Practice Squad (11)
Devlin Hodges, Marcus Allen, Fred Johnson, Sutton Smith, Trey Edmunds, Derwin Gray, Henry Mondeaux, Diontae Spencer, Robert Spillane, Johnny Holton, Christian Scotland-Williamson
Analysis: Hodges is just too interesting of a project to let go in my opinion. He may not have had that great of a final showing, but I believe he's worth holding on to for camp next year. Marcus Allen still has potential, as he showed he could still make plays towards the end of the preseason, and provides depth in case of injury where he has actual game experience. With Johnson he was one of the surprises this preseason and may be picked up by another team, but I believe he lands on the practice squad. Sutton Smith needs another off-season to prove his worth, as he flashed potential both in training camp and the last preseason game. Trey Edmunds needs to be here for me as he is an excellent special teamer and is actually better than Benny Snell in my eyes at the moment. Gray I have landing here as a project as Steelers typically hold on to draft picks. Mondeaux was another solid preseason performer that should be taken to next off-season. Spencer and Holton were close to challenging Rogers/Switzer for those last spots, and maybe next year they can come through, I also think they can be counted on if they need to be called up due to injury. With Spillane, I thought he was interesting and had a quietly great preseason. Then CSW is just a free practice squad spot, so why not, right?
