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Updating the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 91-man roster heading into OTA’s

As the Steelers head into the final phase of off-season workouts, their roster has had some final tweaks.

By Dave.Schofield
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 roster has reached its capacity following rookie minicamp with the signing of tryout players and an additional free agent. With the Steelers receiving an international exemption, 91 players can be carried into training camp. Here is a breakdown of the Steelers roster by position with the number of players kept (in parentheses) on their initial 53-man roster in 2018.

Offense

Quarterback (3)

  1. Ben Roethlisberger
  2. Joshua Dobbs
  3. Mason Rudolph
  4. Delvin Hodges*

Analysis: Hodges apparently impressed the coaching staff during his tryout at rookie minicamp. Breaking collegiate records at the FCS level has gained him a spot to show what he can do in the preseason.

Running Back (3)

  1. James Conner
  2. Jaylen Samuels
  3. Benny Snell Jr^
  4. Trey Edmunds
  5. Ralph Webb
  6. Malik Williams
  7. Trevon McMillan^^

Analysis: Since the draft, nothing within this position group has changed.

Fullback (1): Roosevelt Nix

Analysis: Rosie is all we need.

Wide Receiver (6)

  1. JuJu Smith-Schuster
  2. Donte Moncrief
  3. James Washington
  4. Diontae Johnson^
  5. Eli Rogers
  6. Ryan Switzer
  7. Trey Griffey
  8. Johnny Holton**
  9. Tevin Jones
  10. Diontae Spencer

Analysis: The Steelers added Johnny Holton as a free agent after the time period so it does not affect compensatory calculations. Holton comes to the Steelers from Oakland after playing two full seasons in 2016 and 2017 and spending all but one week on the practice squad in 2018. If my calculations are correct, Holton is not practice squad eligible and will have to make the 53-man roster.

Tight End (3)

  1. Vance McDonald
  2. Xavier Grimble
  3. Zach Gentry^
  4. Kevin Rader
  5. Christian Scotland-Williamson**
  6. Trevor Wood^^

Analysis: No changes to this position group. It is still unclear if Trevor Wood is a tight end, a long snapper, or both.

Offensive Line (9)

  1. Maurkice Pouncey
  2. David DeCastro
  3. Ramon Foster
  4. Alejandro Villanueva
  5. Matt Feiler
  6. Chukwuma Okorafor
  7. Jerald Hawkins
  8. B.J. Finney
  9. Zach Banner
  10. Derwin Grey^
  11. Damian Prince*
  12. Patrick Morris
  13. J.C. Hassenauer
  14. Garrett Brumfield^^
  15. Fred Johnson^^

Analysis: The steelers traded one Prince for another as they released R.J. in order to sign Damian. A college teammate of seventh round draft pick Derwin Grey, Damian Prince has a legitimate shot at making the Steelers practice squad.

Defense

Defensive Line (6)

  1. Cameron Heyward
  2. Stephon Tuitt
  3. Javon Hargrave
  4. Tyson Alualu
  5. Daniel McCullers
  6. Isaiah Buggs^
  7. Lavon Hooks
  8. Conor Sheehy
  9. Winston Craig
  10. Casey Sayles
  11. Greg Gilmore*
  12. Henry Mondeaux*

Analysis: The defensive line had the most changes after rookie minicamp with the Steelers swapping two players. Gilmore gets another training camp with the Steelers to see if he can stick while Mondeaux is also a training camp sophomore spending 2018 with the Saints. Regardless, the Steelers are carrying twice as many players at this position than what they will possibly keep on the 53.

Outside Linebacker (3)

  1. T.J. Watt
  2. Bud Dupree
  3. Anthony Chickillo
  4. Ola Adeniyi
  5. Sutton Smith^
  6. J.T. Jones
  7. Tuzar Skipper*

Analysis: The most surprising release after rookie minicamp was 2017 seventh round pick Keion Adams. Yet another MAC player in Tuzar Skipper will get his chance at Steelers training camp.

Inside Linebacker (5)

  1. Vince Williams
  2. Mark Barron
  3. Devin Bush^
  4. Tyler Matakevich
  5. Ulysees Gilbert III^
  6. Robert Spillane
  7. Tegray Scales
  8. Ryan Shazier (PUP)

Analysis: Drafting two players at this position in 2019, the Steelers had no need to make any other moves since the draft.

Cornerback (5)

  1. Joe Haden
  2. Steven Nelson
  3. Mike Hilton
  4. Artie Burns
  5. Cameron Sutton
  6. Justin Layne^
  7. Brian Allen
  8. Herb Waters
  9. Marcelis Branch
  10. Kam Kelly
  11. Alexander Myers^^

Analysis: In order to get down to 91 players, the Steelers did release one corner just before rookie minicamp.

Safety (6)

  1. Sean Davis
  2. Terrell Edmunds
  3. Jordan Dangerfield
  4. Marcus Allen
  5. Dravon Askew-Henry^^
  6. P.J. Locke^^

Analysis: There have been no changes to the safety position, but it is an area of speculation if the Steelers find the right free agent.

Specialists

Placekicker (1)

  1. Chris Boswell
  2. Mathew Wright^^

Punter (1)

  1. Jordan Berry
  2. Ian Berryman^^

Long Snapper (1)

  1. Kameron Canaday
  2. Trevor Wood^^

Analysis: As I predicted, the Steelers did cut back to only two placekickers in order to get down to 91 players. Although he kicked well in Week 17 last season, Matt McCrane apparently didn’t have a strong enough leg to stick around.

Key:

^2019 Draft Choice

^^2019 Undrafted Free Agent

*Newly signed after tryouts

**New Free Agent addition

Offense: 42 (not including Wood)

Defense: 43 (not including Shazier)

Specialists: 6

Total: 91

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