The kickoff to the 2024 NFL preseason is less than two months away. With the Steelers now in the down time between OTAs and training camp, it’s time to once again give our way-too-early predictions for the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the 2024 season. With players now actually setting foot on a practice field to run full-team work as part of OTAs, things can come a little more in focus. Still, because the pads have yet to come on it’s difficult to project who the bottom-of-the-roster players will be. Regardless, SCN editor Dave Schofield and senior editor Jeff Hartman will give their input onto their thoughts of who will make the roster come September.

As always, we welcome you to join the conversation in our comment section below this article. Let your voice be heard and join in the black-and-gold conversation!

Offense

Quarterback (3)

Dave: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, John Rhys Plumlee

Changes: None

Analysis: I will likely go to Kyle Allen eventually, but I’ve actually heard Plumlee’s name the last few weeks. So I’ll stick with him for now.

Jeff: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Changes: None

Analysis: Plumlee is a cool story, but I just don’t see him beating out Allen for the QB3 role. Say what you want about Allen, but he has NFL experience. If you get to the QB3 in a season, it’s valuable. I do think Plumlee will be a Practice Squad candidate though.

Running Back (3)

Dave: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Changes: None

Analysis: There are some other names who could seriously get into the conversation here. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Steelers have RBs make the practice squad and see time during the season.

Jeff: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Changes: None

Analysis: How they view Patterson, and his role with the team, will be interesting. At this point, I see him as more of a running back than a wide receiver/return man. I’ll stick with these three, but an UDFA, Daijun Edwards, might shock some people when given the chance. If Edwards earns a spot, it will be on special teams and at training camp in July. At this point, I can’t have him on the 53.

Fullback (Dave – 1/Jeff- 0)

Dave: Jack Colletto

Changes: Colletto IN

Analysis: If the Steelers are going to focus on the run, an actual fullback could sneak on the roster especially if he offers special teams ability. I’m going to go in that direction for now.

Jeff: None

Changes: None

Analysis: I understand what Dave said, but the natural fullback has gone the way of the Dodo, in my opinion. Only way a player makes the roster as a FB is to be a special teams ace as well.

Wide Receiver (5)

Dave: George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, TBD addition, Dez Fitzpatrick

Changes: TBA Addition OUT, Fitzpatrick IN

Analysis: It would be foolish to completely rule out adding another WR before the season starts, but it is getting less likely. If CA3 can step up in his second year of action, the Steelers might be fine without breaking the back. But is “might be fine” good enough? I also went with Fitzpatrick as the fifth player as he has embraced the special teams role left by Miles Boykin. But it could easily be Miller or Watkins.

Jeff: George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Denzel Mims

Changes: None

Analysis: I agree wholeheartedly with Dave in the fact the Steelers are going to add a wide receiver to their depth chart, but I couldn’t use a spot on a player who isn’t on the roster. So, in the meantime, I’ll take Mims to round out the group.

Tight End (4)

Dave: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams, MyCole Pruitt

Changes: Williams OUT, Pruitt IN

Analysis: I think the battle is between Williams and Pruitt, so I look forward to flip-flopping as the weeks go on.

Jeff: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams

Changes: None

Analysis: The Steelers are going to do with a heavy personnel approach with Arthur Smith, and I could see the camp battle being between Williams and MyCole Pruitt for the 4th and final spot. Very well could come down to special teams play, in which case I’ll give the nod to Williams.

Offensive Line (9)

Dave: Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Nate Herbig, Zach Frazier, Dylan Cook, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson

Changes: Cook OUT

Analysis: I really want to keep 10, but they really don’t have to keep more than eight. I’m waffling between Anderson and Cook because they are the two who I think would be easiest to sneak onto the practice squad. For now I’m keeping Anderson due to the position versatility.

Jeff: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Zach Frazier, Nate Herbig, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Dan Moore Jr.

Changes: Dylan Cook OUT

Analysis: As Dave said, keeping all 10 of these linemen might make sense, but seems unlikely. I could also see someone being cut/traded which would surprise many people when looking at the depth chart. Nonetheless, I could see someone like Dan Moore being traded if they like Dylan Cook enough to be a swing tackle, but until we see that from Cook I’ll have him missing the roster and the Steelers keeping 9.

Total Offense: Dave – 25/ Jeff – 24

Defense

Defensive Line (7)

Dave: Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk

Changes: None

Analysis: I kept out DeMarvin Leal as a player who was inactive the last part of last season. I was also tempted to leave out Isaiahh Loudermilk. I’m also not sure if Lee will make the 53. For that reason I’m not changing anything at this time.

Jeff: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry

Changes: None

Analysis: When talking about camp battles, I foresee the battle between DeMarvin Leal and Loudermilk. The winner gets a roster spot, the other will be looking for employment elsewhere, or the hopes of being signed to the team’s practice squad. Either way, this will be a position to watch, but I do see them keeping seven players to hopefully limit Cam Heyward’s usage.

Outside Linebacker (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I remembered Jeremiah Moon before it was cool. I’m sticking with it.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: On the original article I totally forgot about Moon until I saw Dave put him in his prediction, which made me feel as if the team might be happy with what they have at the position. If they aren’t, getting someone like Markus Golden, who is still a free agent, would be a great way to round out the position group. After talking to multiple beat reporters, they were all impressed with Moon…in shorts.

Inside Linebacker (4)

Dave: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson

Changes: None

Analysis: There still isn’t much clarity on Holcomb which will probably be the biggest deciding factor with this group.

Jeff: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson

Changes: None

Analysis: Can Holcomb return to the lineup and stay healthy? Would he start the year on the PUP List? If so, Mark Robinson would have a clear-cut path to the roster. If Holcomb returns, it seems as if Robinson may be expendable.

Cornerback (Dave – 5 / Jeff – 6)

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

Changes: Sutton and Rush IN, TBA addition and Beanie Bishop OUT

Analysis: Technically Cam Sutton is the TBA addition. I’m also not down on Beanie Bishop but think Rush is also a great option. The other big factor of this group is the expected suspension of Sutton.

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

Changes: Cam Sutton IN

Analysis: The Steelers are looking at a well-rounded defensive back room, but I do believe they’ll be without Cam Sutton for some time due to suspension. Nothing is official yet, but the league has made their stance on situations like this pretty clear. I think the battle to watch will be between players like Beanie Bishop and Ryan Watts for the 6th and final spot…mostly coming down to special teams play.

Safety (5)

Dave: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts, Trenton Thompson

Changes: Thompson IN, Watts OUT

Analysis: Once again, I think the battle will be between Ryan Watts and Trenton Thompson. We’ll see how things look at training camp.

Jeff: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts, Trenton Thompson

Changes: Trenton Thompson IN, Watts OUT

Analysis: Watts is the interesting piece of the puzzle here. He has experience at cornerback, but the size and athleticism of a safety. Therefore, he could technically be added to the cornerback room as well, even though he could play both. I think the battle for him will come there, and that means the team will lean on Thompson who played well for them last year after the safety position was decimated by injury.

Total Defense: Dave – 25 / Jeff- 26

Special Teams

Specialists (3)

Dave: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: Having to change any of these would be bad news.

Jeff: Chris Boswell, Cam Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: Nothing to see here, this will be status quo barring an injury.

Total Team: 53