Saunders: Pre-Training Camp Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection

The Steelers traded away All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, added cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins, meaning there will be a shakeup to the roster outlook entering camp.

With the Black and Gold set to practice for the first time as a full squad in 2025, here’s our best guess at a 53-man roster projection on the eve of training camp.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS PRE-TRAINING CAMP 53-MAN ROSTER PROJECTION

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard

No changes here. Will Howard will probably not start training camp as the No. 3 quarterback through the drill line, but I’m still expecting him to eventually pass Skylar Thompson.

Running backs (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

Every day Cordarrelle Patterson remains on the roster, the chances of him finding a way to make it go up, but I’ve got him on the outside looking in right now.

Tight Ends (4): Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

The first of the Steelers’ post-minicamp additions pushes rookie DJ Thomas-Jones to the practice squad, though he could put up a fight in a battle against Connor Heyward.

Wide Receivers (6): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Robert Woods, Outside Acquisition

Khan isn’t done yet, and the Steelers are certainly still pursuing upgrades at the wide receiver position, after trading away George Pickens after the 2025 NFL Draft. I’m thinking he gets there with at least one player to add to this room.

Offensive Tackle (3): Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson

The Steelers went with just three tackles on the 53-man roster for most of last season, and I don’t know if there’s enough depth here to warrant carrying four this time around. With Calvin Anderson on a two-year contract, Dylan Cook appears to be the odd man out.

Interior Offensive Line (6): Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Max Scharping

This is a very solid unit. Three quality starters, including a potential star in Zach Frazier, and three backups that have all played well at the NFL level. Spencer Anderson being able to kick out and play tackle makes keeping tree there more palatable.

Interior Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black

Maybe the toughest cut on the team right now, with veteran Dean Lowry and 2024 sixth-rounder Logan Lee both on the wrong side of my cut line here. They certainly have a chance to make it, but it would probably mean pulling from another position group.

Outside Linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

There’s no reason to over-think these first four. Jeremiah Moon was a solid special teamer last year, but there are special teamers at other spots that need the extra depth more.

Inside Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson

This is maybe the...