The 2024 NFL preseason is now concluded with roster cut downs only hours away. With the Steelers now having everything they are going to get in order to assess players, it’s time to once again give our predictions for the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the 2024 season. Even with all the preseason games complete, it’s still difficult to project who the bottom-of-the-roster players will be as many of those decisions could come from what happens behind closed doors. Regardless, SCN editor Dave Schofield and senior editor Jeff Hartman will give their input onto their thoughts of who will make the roster this week.

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, Kyle Allen

Changes: None

Analysis: As much as I would like to keep Plumlee here, the Steelers still need a quarterback that could be called on as their third option who needs minimal prep. Typically I don’t keep QBs on the practice squad as the Steelers don’t do it, despite every year plenty thinking someone’s destined for it. I think that could be different with Plumlee because he also offers more with special teams and beyond.

Jeff: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Changes: None

Analysis: Plumlee showed enough I’d give him a spot on the Practice Squad, but I don’t see him as a viable option on the 53-man roster.

Running Back (3)

Dave: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Changes: None

Analysis: I wasn’t sure about Patterson, but seeing him get carries on the first drive and the Steelers 31-yard touchdown tells me he is their other option. The only question is if the Steelers keep more than these three or if they just stash several players on the practice squad.

Jeff: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Changes: None

Analysis: In my opinion, Patterson solidified his spot on the roster with his performance in Week 3 of the preseason, and I don’t view any of the other running backs as even viable options on special teams to keep them on the 53-man roster. Therefore, what you see is what you get to start the season.

Fullback (0)

Dave: None

Changes: None

Analysis: I really wanted to put Coletto back in here, but I just can’t swing it. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Steelers try to get him on the practice squad in case they want to elevate him for a specific game based on the game plan.

Jeff: None

Changes: None

Analysis: I understand this fan base loves fullbacks, 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 (Dave – 5 / Jeff – 6)

Dave: George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller Dez Fitzpatrick

Changes: Miller OUT, Fitzpatrick IN

Analysis: I could see the Steelers going with six players here, but right now I need more on the defense. I chose Dez Fitzpatrick over Scotty Miller because of what he offers on special teams. But I also see the Steelers adding another player at this position in the next two weeks which changes everything. Also, CA3 is not a guarantee like I always thought he was, so if you want a “shocking cut” possibility, that would be a name I would throw out.

Jeff: George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick

Changes: Dez Fitzpatrick IN

Analysis: These names could change, but the Steelers need help on special teams. CA3, Miller and Fitzpatrick all provide special teams value, and that’s why I have the Steelers keeping six wide receivers. If this happens, my guess is the inactive list will be a revolving door between those three wide receivers. If the team acquires a wide receiver, which I think they will, this list will likely change.

Tight End (4 – Dave / Jeff – 3)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I really like “Hot Rod” Williams, but he just wasn’t visible in the preseason. Was this intentional by the Steelers in order to get him onto the practice squad, a place where he started last season?

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

Changes: Rodney Williams OUT

Analysis: The thought of the Steelers always being in a heavy personnel package seems to be something Arthur Smith is known for, but might not ring true. Rodney Williams didn’t show out enough for him to have a spot on the roster, nor did MyCole Pruitt. I kept an extra wide receiver, and cut a tight end to make the numbers match up.

Offensive Line (9)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: This went from a very difficult group to trim down to one that is quite obvious. The only question that remains is if the Steelers need more as a backup center. I think keeping Ryan McCollum on the practice squad would be enough, but then making an outside move or keeping McCollum on the 53 is within the realm of possibilities.

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. Nate Herbig’s shoulder injury landing him on IR made this decision easy. That means you can keep Cook and have both James Daniels and Spencer Anderson as depth pieces at multiple positions.

Total Offense: 24

Defense

Defensive Line (Dave – 7 / Jeff – 6)

Dave: Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk

Changes: None

Analysis: I asked the question earlier this week about only keeping six defensive linemen like the Steelers did in 2020 and before. If so, Loudermilk would be my cut. But I think keeping seven with Leal then allows the Steelers to keep less outside linebackers based on how he has been used in the preseason. As for Logan Lee, not playing in the final preseason game might have been a ploy to make it easier to get him to the practice squad.

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

Changes: Leal OUT (sort of)

Analysis: I had Logan Lee out on my last prediction, and I think he remains a Practice Squad candidate to start the season, barring him getting there. Some might see Leal and freak out thinking he will be the odd man out, but I see him more in the next position grouping than along the defensive line. I really liked what I saw from Ogunjobi, Benton, Adams, Loudermilk and Lowry to round out the defensive line depth this preseason.

Outside Linebacker (Dave – 4 / Jeff – 5)

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

Changes: Moon OUT

Analysis: I could see the Steelers going with only three players here along with DeMarvin Leal, but I also think the last spot is for special teams. It could be neither player, but I chose Johnson over Moon.

Jeff: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson, DeMarvin Leal

Changes: Leal IN

Analysis: Johnson provides valuable depth both at OLB and on special teams, and the Steelers would be wise to use Leal in specific situations where he can go out and use his big frame to disrupt plays. Moving Leal to the OLB category is just a technicality, but with this being my final prediction I wanted to be as accurate as possible.

Inside Linebacker (5)

Dave: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts,  Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson

Changes: Matakevich IN

Analysis: Because I have the Steelers only keeping four outside linebackers (or less), I used the extra spot for special teams at inside linebacker. While it could be one or the other between Matakevich and Robinson, it could work out to be both depending on how things fall at other positions. Either way, I think only one would get a helmet on game day.

Jeff: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson, Tyler Matakevich

Changes: Matakevich IN

Analysis: The Steelers need all the special teams help they can get, and while I recognize Robinson and/or Matakevich will likely be inactive every week, barring injury, you want to have that depth and experience on special teams. Outside of the fringe positions, I like the Steelers ILB depth heading into 2024.

Cornerback (6)

Dave: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice, Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop, Thomas Graham

Changes: None

Analysis: This is the group that is the most up in the air for cut-down day. I don’t think there are other possibilities on the roster at this time outside of these six players. But only the top two are guaranteed for me simply because Trice is dealing with a groin injury that we don’t know the severity of it at this time. That’s his only issue with me, but it should be noted. As for the other three players, I could see the Steelers adding from outside the organization and none of them making it. But right now they are in a cluster of players at the bottom with many others and went with all of them for no better reason than I wouldn’t know which one to cut.

Jeff: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice, Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop, Thomas Graham

Changes: None

Analysis: The Steelers are looking at a well-rounded defensive back room, but they’ll be without Cam Sutton for some time due to suspension. The team still has no real answer at slot CB until Sutton comes off suspension. Therefore, I see Thomas Graham and Beanie Bishop making the team. If they go out and make a move, I see Darius Rush being the first to go to make room for another player they acquire.

Safety (4)

Dave: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew

Changes: None

Analysis: I picked all three cornerbacks over Ryan Watts for a reason. I feel any of them would have a better chance of seeing the field on defense than Watts and didn’t make it just about special teams. Killebrew is all about special teams, but he’s an All-Pro so there is no question there. If the Steelers can get by for eight weeks, then Cam Sutton returns which helps both positions, and mainly safety based on his preseason alignment. I could see Watts landing on the practice squad and being elevated if there is an injury.

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

Changes: Watts OUT

Analysis: Watts is the interesting piece of the puzzle here, but his neck injury could find him on the reserve/injured list for the season. If so, his season would be over before it began, and it seems more and more likely the team will stick to their core group of players at safety heading into the regular season.

Total Defense: 26

Special Teams

Specialists (3)

Dave: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: This group was never in doubt. I do think it would be nice if the Steelers could use Matthew Wright in a trade before he is released, but getting something for him outright is unlikely. But if the Steelers are making another trade with a kicker-needy team, they could throw Wright into the deal and maybe have to give up a pick one round later instead. That’s the best case scenario.

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