As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, it is time to re-evaluate the earlier projection as to who will make the team's 53-man roster. Take a look at who will represent the Steelers in Week 1 when the team plays the New England Patriots in Foxborough.
Editor's Note: For your viewing pleasure I have crossed out any name who has been taken out of the projection for one reason or another. The new name is placed next to it, if there is someone who will take their place in the projection.
Quarterback:
Ben Roethlisberger
Bruce GradkoswkiTajh Boyd
Wide Receiver:
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Martavis Bryant
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Sammie Coates
Flex Players:
Dri Archer - RB/WR
Will Johnson - FB/TE
Tyler Murphy - WR/QB *
Running Backs:
Le'Veon Bell
DeAngelo Williams
Josh Harris
Tight Ends:
Heath Miller
Matt Spaeth
Jesse James
Offensive Line:
Kelvin Beachum
David DeCastro
Maurkice Pouncey
Ramon Foster
Marcus Gilbert
Mike Adams
Cody Wallace
Chris Hubbard
Defensive Line:
Steve McLendon
Daniel McCullers
Stephon Tuitt
Cameron HeywardClifton Geathers Cam Thomas *
L.T. Walton
Outside Linebacker:
Arthur Moats
Jarvis Jones
James Harrison
Bud DupreeShawn Lemon Anthony Chickillo *
Inside Linebacker:
Lawrence Timmons
Sean Spence
Ryan Shazier
Vince Williams
Jordan Zumwalt
Cornerback:
William Gay
Antwon Blake
Cortez AllenSenquez Golson Brandon Boykin *
Doran Grant
Kevin Fogg
Safety:
Mike Mitchell
Shamarko Thomas
Will Allen
Robert Golden
Specialists:
Shaun Suisham Garrett Hartley *
Greg WarrenJordan Berry Brad Wing *
Injuries have caused the likes of Shawn Lemon, Shaun Suisham, Senquez Golson and Clifton Geathers to be forced out of the team's 53-man projection. The surprises of this projection would be the team's decision to release Landry Jones and sign Tyler Murphy for his special teams capabilities and versatility. On top of that decision, the team's choice in Brad Wing over Jordan Berry shows Wing's improvement in all aspects of the punting game.
Although some players like Garrett Hartley are on the 53-man roster projection, there is nothing to say they will make the team when the dust settles on players being released from other NFL rosters. Lastly, the team decides to keep Mike Adams on the roster, rather than going with the less experienced Alejandro Villenueva as the back-up swing tackle. This all hinges on Adams' back healing and him being able to play at his normal level. If the team feels that isn't a possibility, look for Villenueva to move into his back-up tackle position on the team's depth chart.
As you can tell, as training camp and the preseason unfold, the projections will unfold with it.