Post-Minicamp Steelers 2024 53-Man Roster Projection

16/06/2024

Once again, it’s Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster projection time. The Steelers are off for five weeks after closing minicamp, the final portion of their spring practice session, on Thursday. When they get back together, it will be for training camp at St. Vincent College near Latrobe, Pa.

Head coach Mike Tomlin makes it clear that he doesn’t evaluate players on the way they perform “in shorts” during OTAs and minicamp, but the way the players are deployed can tell us a lot about what the organization thinks of the men on the roster.

With that, here’s our updated Steelers 53-man roster projection after minicamp.

QUARTERBACKS (3)

Keep: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Cut: John Rhys Plumlee

The order here will be one of the biggest talking points of training camp, but there seems to be little drama in terms of who is going to make the team. John Rhys Plumlee feels like a strong practice squad candidate.

Last year: Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky

RUNNING BACKS (3)

Keep: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Cut: Aaron Shampklin, Jack Colletto, Daijun Edwards, Jonathan Ward, La’Mical Perine

With how much the Steelers plan to run the ball with Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, keeping four running backs wouldn’t be crazy. But someone will have to make themselves a very difficult cut, and that hasn’t happened yet.

Last year: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)

Keep: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson

Cut: Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick, Denzel Mims, Marquez Callaway, Duece Watts, Jaray Jenkins

Most of the question marks at wide receiver will center around whether general manager Omar Kahn will add to this group, or stand pat, after giving it a vote of confidence at the close of minicamp.

Last year: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Keep: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt

Cut: Rodney Williams II

In my eyes, this is a two-man battle for one spot between veteran MyCole Pruitt and special teamer Rodney Williams.

Last year: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

TACKLES (4)

Keep: Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook

Cut: Devery Hamilton, Tyler Beach

A strong camp from Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu could make a Dan Moore Jr. trade look attractive, just like Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green were shipped out last year.

Last yar: Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, Broderick Jones, Dylan Cook

CENTER/GUARDS (5)

Keep: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Zach Frazier, Nate Herbig, Mason McCormick

Cut: Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Anderson Hardy, Joey Fisher

Spencer Anderson is a very tough cut, and has the versatility to play some tackle, as well. It’s possible if Moore is traded that he’d slide back to right tackle as the fourth man at that spot.

Last year: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Mason Cole, Nate Herbig, Spencer Anderson

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7)

Keep: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal

Cut: Logan Lee, Breiden Fehoko, Jonathan Marshall, Jacob Slade

This looks like another two-man, with former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal looking to hold off this year’s sixth-rounder, Logan Lee. If it looks like he might not make the team, Leal is another player the Steelers could look to trade, with his issues in Pittsburgh being more about fit than ability.

Last year: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)

Keep: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jeremiah Moon

Cut: David Perales, Kyron Johnson, Julius Welschof

This is another place the Steelers could look to add veteran depth, but Jeremiah Moon, Kyron Johnson and even David Perales all have interesting enough skillsets to make for an entertaining training camp battle.

Last year: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig

INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)

Keep: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson

Cut: Tyler Murray, Jacoby Windmon

With Cole Holcomb looking like he’ll be ready to go for training camp, let alone the start of the season, the only question he becomes whether they can find room to keep five inside linebackers. Mark Robinson is a more proven special teamer than the extra outside linebackers. This could be one spot between inside linebacker and safety, where I have another tough cut.

Last year: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson

SAFETIES (4)

Keep: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew

Cut: Ryan Watts, Trenton Thompson, Nathan Meadors, Jalen Elliot, Grayland Arnold

Trenton Thompson definitely played well enough to earn a role going forward when he was called upon last year, but it remains to be seen how his game will look on the other side of a significant neck injury. He can certainly get back onto the right side of the cut line with a strong camp.

Ryan Watts looks like a worth project to invest in at the safety position, but he is a project. Don’t be surprised if a number of draft picks, not just on the Steelers, but around the league, get cut this fall. It was widely considered to be a very weak third day of the draft.

Last year: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew

CORNERBACKS (6)

Keep: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cam Sutton, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop

Cut: Josiah Scott, Kalon Barnes, Thomas Graham

Cam Sutton slides in as the primary slot and backup outside cornerback, at least until we get word of a potential suspension. If he ends up off the roster at the start of the season, that could be a way for Watts, or Josiah Scott — who has looked very good so far — to find their way onto the roster.

Last year: Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, Joey Porter Jr., Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre, Elijah Riley