The kickoff to the 2024 NFL preseason is just around the corner. With the Steelers about to put the pads on for the first time during the 2024 season, 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 not actually setting foot on a game field for almost two more weeks, 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 like the possibility of a sleeper quarterback coming into the mix, so until I see him play I’m still not changing out Plumlee which I’m sure I’ll eventually do.

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: I still have no reason to doubt this.

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: None

Analysis: I like the idea of the Steelers actually using a fullback, so I’m going to dream until they crush it.

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, Dez Fitzpatrick, Scotty Miller

Changes: Fitzpatrick OUT, Miller IN

Analysis: There still could be an addition here. Until there is, or until someone else splashes, I’ll keep rotating players in and out of the fifth spot. So this time it’s Scotty Miller who gets a roster spot.

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

Changes: Mims OUT, Miller IN

Analysis: I honestly don’t see the Steelers making a move anytime soon, and with Mims being released it opened up the door for Miller to make the team.

Tight End (4)

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

Changes: Pruitt OUT, Williams IN

Analysis: I think the battle is between Williams and Pruitt, and right now I’m thinking special teams.

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: Anderson OUT, Cook IN

Analysis: I really want to keep 10, but I don’t think the Steelers will. I swapped Cook for Anderson because I think if Fautanu and Cook both look good, Moore could get moved. But I’m not ready to think that is going to be the case.

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

Changes: None

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, DeMarvin Leal

Changes: Loudermilk OUT, Leal IN

Analysis: I moved Leal back into the top seven in place of Loudermilk just to switch things up. I think there are two spots for Lee, Leal, and Loudermilk.

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

Changes: Lee OUT, Leal IN

Analysis: When talking about camp battles, I foresee the battle between DeMarvin Leal and a bunch of defensive linemen. 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, I think Leal wins the battle and the hope is Lee signs on to the practice squad.

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 still 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, Tyler Matakevich

Changes: Holcomb (injury) OUT, Matakevich IN

Analysis: I’m now guessing Holcomb is not available to start the year, hence why Matakevich was brought back. Still, I don’t have Robinson.

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 actual season 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, Cam Sutton, Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop

Changes: Sutton (suspension) OUT, Beanie Bishop IN

Analysis: I didn’t really want to move out Bishop the last time. Now that we know Sutton is suspended eight games, getting him back in is easy. But there still could be another player get into the mix, and they may not even be on the roster yet.

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

Changes: Sutton (Suspension) OUT

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, Trenton Thompson, Ryan Watts

Changes: Thompson OUT, Watts IN

Analysis: This was easy since the Steelers released Thompson in June.

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

Changes: Trenton Thompson out, Watts in

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