Steelers 53-man roster projection midway through training camp
Mark Kaboly / Steelers Correspondent
For The @PatMcAfeeShow
LATROBE — Believe it or not, but the Steelers are already halfway through training camp at St. Vincent College, so what better time is there to see where their roster sits at the midway point.
Let’s face it: There’s not a lot to figure out with this year’s roster. The figuring was done in the offseason when they assembled this group, and this time of year is being used to bring it all together.
So, when there are days like there were on Saturday when 16 players sat out – some because of nagging injuries and the others for nothing more than a day off (Aaron Rodgers got his first day off at camp) -- it gives a chance to get a better feel for the bottom of what will become the 53-man roster on Aug. 26.
This is how I see the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster look as we sit here today:
OFFENSE (24)
QUARTERBACK (3)
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is the unquestioned No. 1. The only question with him is if he can stay healthy for a 17-game season at 41 years old. He has shown no signs that it will be a problem. Now, he’s slowly ramping up where he needs to be for the Sept. 7 opener, but his intangibles are off the chart – snap cadence, play clock manipulation, reading defenses. His arm looks strong, and his mobility has been pleasantly good.
Mason Rudolph: Rudolph knows his role that he may be called on at any point and is approaching camp not only getting ready for that possibility, but to come in a game and be ready to win it. He may be the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
Will Howard: For a rookie who is learning, Howard is coming along nicely. There’s no question he will beat out Skylar Thompson for the third spot. Howard’s best attribute so far has been his tenacity to get better.
RUNNING BACK (3)
Jaylen Warren: Warren will run out of the tunnel with the starters on gamedays, but how long he holds off Kaleb Johnson for the bulk share of the carries may be sooner rather than later.
Kaleb Johnson: The rookie third-round pick is a nice complement to Warren. Both are powerful (Warren is more powerful) and quick to the hole (Johnson is quicker). You couldn’t have asked for much more out of Johnson so far.
Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell is the sleeper of the group. He can catch, run, and block. He needs to be a key player on third down to maximize his potential.
Tough cuts: Trey Sermon, Max Hurleman
WIDE RECEIVER (5)
DK Metcalf: Metcalf might not be able to stretch a defense with his legs, but he will get his yards from crossers and arrow routes that he turns up the field. And, he’s a great human.
Calvin Austin III: Austin is the leader for the WR 2 slot. I don’t think the front office is interested in bringing on a veteran because they don’t like what Austin can do.
Roman Wilson: Wilson had a spectacular summer and has recently started to heat up during the second week of camp. He will be a significant part of the team, but his role is still fluid.
Robert Woods: Woods is a veteran who will be able to make critical catches in critical situations.
Ben Skowronek: You need a guy like Ben Skowronek if you want to win a Super Bowl. Skowronek is their best receiver who can play special teams, and that gives him the edge.
Tough cuts: Roc Taylor, Scotty Miller
TIGHT END (4)
Pat Freiermuth: He’s the unquestioned No. 1 tight end and the heartbeat of this offense.
Jonnu Smith: Smith was a late addition to the roster and will provide a significant target for Rodgers. He will be used a lot and in different ways.
Darnell Washington: Washington has transformed himself into more than a blocking tight end or a red-zone threat. He’s turned into a solid, all-around tight end.
Connor Heyward: Heyward’s versatility makes him valuable. He can play all four special teams spots, catch the ball, run the ball in a pinch, he’s playing fullback, and his blocking has been better.
Tough cut: JJ Galbreath
CENTER (2)
Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum: Frazier has had some issues with snaps, but nothing to be concerned about. McCollum is nursing a leg injury. If healthy, he makes the team.
GUARD (3)
Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson: Seumalo has barely practiced, but he will be fine come game days. McCormick is having a solid camp, and Anderson’s ability to play all five positions on the line makes him a lock.
TACKLE (4)
Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Dylan Cook: Regardless of how Jones has looked, he’s not moving off of left tackle anytime soon and likely never. They need him to play well, and sooner rather than later would be preferred. Fautanu already looks like a veteran despite playing only 55 snaps last year. Anderson is an experienced backup, and Cook has performed well enough to grab onto the final OL spot right now.
DEFENSE (26)
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Logan Lee, DeMarvin Leal: The starting three of Heyward, Benton, and Harmon are pretty much set in stone as the starters. It might not matter much because I am not sure how much the Steelers are going to use their base defense with three down linemen. The depth is questionable – well, maybe unproven is a better word. Black is a rookie with promise, Lee missed his entire rookie year with an injury, and Loudermilk and Leal have been great underachievers in their three years with the team. An injury to one of their top three (mostly Heyward) would be devastating.
Tough cuts: Daniel Ekuale
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith: Highsmith has had an outstanding camp so far absolutely obliterating every offensive tackle he goes up against. Watt will benefit greatly from the upgraded secondary and is staring a 20-sack season in the face.
Nick Herbig: Herbig is only 23, but he plays like a 28-year-old. He’s been significantly better this camp than any of his others, which is going to make defensive coordinator Teryl Austin find a place for him to get reps.
Jack Sawyer: Sawyer is going to produce as a rookie. There is no denying that.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
Patrick Queen: Queen looks a lot more comfortable in his second year with the Steelers.
Payton Wilson: Wilson might make the biggest jump of all. He’s been a different player than a rookie, and as long as he stays healthy, the combo of Queen and Wilson might not come off the field.
Malik Harrison: Harrison will make the team because of his free agent contract, but he’s flawed in the pass coverage aspect of inside linebacker. They are going to have to find a defined role for him.
Mark Robinson: Based on his special team play alone, Robinson makes the team over Cole Holcomb. Holcomb carries a $3.64 million cap hit. That’s significant and might get him fired.
Tough cut: Carson Bruener
CORNERBACK (7)
Jalen Ramsey: He’s a star and will be a different maker.
Darius Slay: Slay may be 34, but he can still play man coverage like a madman.
Joey Porter Jr.: JPJ has looked good at times during camp and not so good at other times. Regardless, he will start and play a lot.
James Pierre: Pierre keeps making plays, and he’s an elite gunner on special teams
Cory Trice: They love Trice, but he may not make the cut. As of right now, he does, but yet another “significant” groin injury leaves his status up for grabs.
Beanie Bishop: Bishop might not have a defined role right now, but his upside keeps him around.
Brandon Echols: Echols was signed from the Jets and has been a pleasant surprise.
Tough cut: Donte Kent
SAFETY (4)
DeShon Elliott: Elliott got a new contract in the offseason, is the main man in the back half of the defense.
Chuck Clark: Clark was a late addition to the camp roster but has entered himself into the conversation as the starting free safety.
Juan Thornhill: It might come between Thornhill and Clark for a roster spot with Ramsey floating around center field from time to time. Still, Tomlin loves him too much to cut him.
Miles Killebrew: Mr. Killebrew isn’t much of a safety, but he’s an All-Pro special teamer for a reason.
SPECIALIST (3)
KICKER (1)
Chris Boswell: It’s Chris Boswell. Enough said.
PUNTER: (1)
Cam Johnston: Johnston has shown no ill effects from a serious knee injury he suffered 11 months ago. Corliss Waitman is good, but Johnston is better.
LONG SNAPPER (1)
Christian Kuntz: When was the last time Kuntz had a bad snap?
Tough cuts: Ben Sauls (K), Corliss Waitman (P).
Graphic by @DerekMurphy32 (DBone)
