With training camp just around the corner, it is the perfect time to put out a little-too-early roster prediction. We will be discussing roster predictions on our next podcast, so if you have any questions, comments, or concerns you want me to address about my probably-too-early roster predictions, email us at: strongerthansteelpodcast@gmail.com.
Without further adieu, here is my 2019 roster prediction.
Offense (24):
Quarterbacks (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Joshua Dobbs- No surprises here, if anybody else makes the team, it means something went horribly wrong (injuries or suspensions).
Running Backs (4):
James Conner, Roosevelt Nix, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell- Pretty straight-forward stuff here, Conner and Samuels are the established halfbacks, Nix is the fullback and Snell is the rookie draft pick. Austin flirted with the idea of Trey Edmunds making the team as a fourth half-back, but I just don't see it, because Edmunds needs to have an outstanding pre-season as a core special teamer.
Wide Receivers (5):
Juju Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer- Unfortunately at this time, I don't see Eli Rogers making the roster. Rogers has a mold at receiver that is very similar to both Johnson and Switzer, thus making him expendable. Even if I had kept a sixth receiver, I'd have been temped to use that spot on someone like Trey Griffey, who offers more on special teams, as opposed to Rogers. Furthermore, Griffey is a bigger receiver that offers more versatility, should he be pressed into offensive snaps.
Tight Ends (3): Vance McDonald, Xavier Grimble, Zach Gentry- We all know that this is a position that could use upgrading and while I do think someone will be added before opening night against the Patriots, I am not including that in this piece. Without any other NFL "ready" options, I am forced to go with Grimble and Gentry behind McDonald. Really hoping this is a healthy year for 89.
Offensive Line (9):
Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, B.J. Finney, Jerald Hawkins, Patrick Morris- The offensive line room is the polar opposite of the tight end room. Even with a new starting right tackle, the first seven guys (Villanueva-Finney) should be locks. The next question to ask is: do you keep eight or nine linemen? A lot will depend on who wins the aforementioned right tackle spot (Feiler or Okorafor) and who shows the most as a backup, through both play and versatility. I have Hawkins making the team over Zach Banner because I think the team prefers Hawkins, plus he has played well in limited pre-season action over the course of his career. I added Morris as another interior guy, expecting Feiler to win the tackle spot. Morris impressed in camp last year and could be in line to make the team this year.
Defense (26):
Defensive Line (6): Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, Tyson Alualu, Isaiah Buggs, Daniel McCullers- The first four guys are set in stone. Beyond Alualu however, its not quite as clear. I expect both Buggs and McCullers to have the inside track to the roster, but Joshua Frazier didn't make the team last season as a seventh round pick (I think Buggs is better than Frazier was) and Daniel McCullers' spot isn't secure (even though it feels like it is sometimes), keep an eye on Casey Sayles.
Inside linebackers (4):
Vince Williams, Devin Bush, Mark Barron, Tyler Matakevich- What a difference a year makes. In 2018 we were talking about Matakevich vs Jon Bostic for the starting Mack linebacker position. This year, the Steelers have an abundance of talent on the inside . The question for now though is: Will it be Bush or Barron starting next to Williams. Barron was a prized free agent acquisition and is obviously battle-tested, but Bush was the top draft pick and the team invested a lot in him. Either way, the first three names should have a big impact on the defense in 2019, while Matakevich should continue to excel as a special teams ace.
Outside linebackers (5):
T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Sutton Smith- Watt, Dupree and Chickillo are basically locks in their respective roles. Adeniyi has a lot of expectations coming in for a guy that logged just eight snaps last season, it isn't completely out of the question that he gets cut, as disappointing as that would be. Obviously, we are hoping that what we saw was last year was legit and I hope he will show out again. Finally, I have Smith, one of the team's sixth round draft picks, who has been an early favorite of fans and should be able to make the team as well, but I would be surprised if he's anything more than a special teams player in 2019.
Cornerbacks (6):
Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, Artie Burns, Cameron Sutton, Justin Layne- After acquiring Nelson in free agency, the Steelers appear to have found their starter, opposite Joe Haden. Even in a contract dispute, I would expect Hilton to suit up as the starting slot cornerback too. The big question after the them is: Who is the top backup? Will it be the rookie Layne? The disappointing Cameron Sutton, or *gasp Artie Burns? Before you rain fire on me for having Burns make the team, I think it should be pointed out, that if the Steelers really weren't planning on having him on the team in 2019, they would have cut him already. What would the point be in keeping him through the whole off-season program, just to cut him right at the start of training camp (when his bonus kicks in)? It's not impossible that he will be cut, but I just think it's unlikely. Burns has the most starting experience of any guys on the back end of the cornerback room and even with his struggles, can still play special teams.
Safeties (5):
Terrell Edmunds, Sean Davis, Marcus Allen, Jordan Dangerfield, Kameron Kelly- The starters are in place here, but everything else is shaky. Allen played less than 50 defensive snaps a year ago, but seems to be the top candidate to be the dime-backer. Beyond that, there really isn't a natural free safety that can back up Davis. It is true, Dangerfield has started and played at that position, but he is a better fit for strong safety at the end of the day. Enter in my wild-card from the San Diego Fleet. He took first team reps at free safety in OTAs and even though he's not really a natural safety, his athleticism and versatility should prove to be invaluable to a defense lacking in play-makers.
Special Teams (3):
Kicker[s] (1): Chris Boswell
Punter[s] (1): Jordan Berry
Long snapper[s] (1):
Kameron Canaday- Going with more chalk here, Boswell should get another opportunity when you consider how long the Steelers have held onto him already, he's in place for a bounce-back season. Berry should still be the favorite to win the job again, last pre-season Matt Wile vastly outperformed Berry, but was still cut anyways. It would take a monumental pre-season from Ian Berryman to unseat him. Finally, despite a somewhat shaky season in 2018, I think Canaday will reprise his role as the long snapper in 2019.
Reserve/PUP (1): Ryan Shazier
