Saunders: Steelers Final 53-Man Roster Projection

PITTSBURGH — The hay is in the barn, as Pittsburgh Steelers have done the work of three weeks of training camp, three weeks of the preseason and another weeks of practices at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Only one practice remains before Tuesday’s final cut-down from 91 players to 53. The Steelers have already done some of the work, trimming the roster to 80 players on Saturday. Here’s how we see the final cuts going.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS FINAL 53-MAN ROSTER PROJECTION

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

Will Howard appears to be close enough to health that he’ll be able to make the team’s initial 53-man roster, despite a broken finger in training camp that cost him the preseason. While Skylar Thompson played very well for the Steelers in his place, there’s little room for him here on the active roster. Maybe they can get something for him in a trade, otherwise, I’m sure he’d be welcome on the practice squad.

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

Trey Sermon and Lew Nichols III were both very good this preseason. It’s not crazy to think that Sermon could get poached or otherwise land elsewhere, in a better place to make an impact. Nichols should be a practice squad lock.

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

It’s always been these four.

Wide Receivers (5): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller

There’s still a chance that Omar Khan will pull off a trade, but it’s not at all clear where that will come from, and at this point, I’m just putting the five deserving players on the roster in this slot. If there’s no trade before the cut to 53, there’s a large chance the Steelers sign back someone cut from another team.

Offensive Tackle (4): Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Dylan Cook

Calvin Anderson has started to return to practice, but his lack of health seals a roster spot for Dylan Cook for me. I thought Cook had a solid camp and preseason.

Interior Offensive Line (5): Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum

Andrus Peat played well at guard, but I’m not sure they’ll feel the need to keep another backup beyond Spencer Anderson there on the 53-man, especially considering how banged up they are at tackle.

Interior Defensive Line (7): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black, Logan Lee

I moved Logan Lee into the roster here before the knee injury to Derrick Harmon, but now that he’ll start the season injured, Lee is nearly a lock for the seventh defensive line spot.

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

I would feel better about cutting DeMarvin Leal if Nick Herbig had practiced on the other side of his hamstring injury yet, but I think he’ll probably be ready to go Week 1.

####...