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Preseason Week 1 is in the books. Now that most most players have taken the field to show they are worthy of making the cut, let’s re-visit our 53-man offseason roster prediction. Did anything change? Who do we have projected to make the team, and who will be looking for employment in a few weeks?
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)
Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Joshua Dobbs
Changes: None, other than the order
Analysis: Rudolph looked more like the Steelers back up for 2019. Can they both hold off the surging Devlin Hodges?
Running Back (3)
James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr.
Changes: None
Analysis: Trey Edmunds is a name to watch, but there just doesn’t appear to be any room.
Fullback (1)
Roosevelt Nix
Changes: None
Analysis: The 2017 Pro Bowler is a lock.
Wide Receiver (6)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, Eli Rogers, Johnny Holton
Changes: Holton in, Ryan Switzer out
Analysis: I liked Johnny Holton before the first preseason game, and I like him even more now. Keeping him fills the Darrius Heyward-Bey role from last season. To make room, Switzer or Rodgers had to go. I flipped a coin, so this week it’s Switzer.
Tight End (3)
Vance McDonald, Xavier Grimble, Zach Gentry
Changes: None
Analysis: Gentry at least showed he was on the team in Week 1. I never noticed Grimble. A move here is still possible before the regular season.
Offensive Line (9)
Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Alejandro Villanueva, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, B.J. Finney, Fred Johnson, Zach Banner
Changes: Johnson and Banner in, Grey and Hawkins out
Analysis: I added a couple of big boys to the squad. Both Johnson and Banner are earning spots on the field while Hawkins has seemed to struggle.
Total Offense: 25
Defense
Defensive Line (6)
Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, Tyson Alualu, Isaiah Buggs, Lavon Hooks
Changes: None
Analysis: I think Buggs and Hooks can both bump Daniel McCullers off the roster. Keep an eye out for Henry Mondeaux who played well at the end of the Tampa game.
Outside Linebacker (4)
T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi
Changes: Smith out
Analysis: By not taking the field in Week 1, Sutton Smith has an uphill battle to make the squad. Chances are he doesn’t bump an OLB, but instead would take a spot from some other position group. It doesn’t help Tuzar Skipper is also getting noticed.
Inside Linebacker (5)
Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Devin Bush, Ulysees Gilbert III, Tyler Matakevich
Changes: Matakevich in
Analysis: With both Gilbert and Matakevich playing well against Tampa, both players could earn the spot.
Cornerback (6)
Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton, Justin Layne, Artie Burns
Changes: Burns in, Allen out
Analysis: It’s strange Artie Burns moved back onto the roster when he didn’t play in the game. Still, Brian Allen didn’t stand out in any way. Justin Layne will stay due to his draft status, but look for him to be inactive most of the season.
Safety (4)
Sean Davis, Terrell Edmunds, Jordan Dangerfield, Kameron Kelly
Changes: Kelly in, Allen out
Analysis: Marcus Allen didn’t really do anything to get noticed so far this preseason. But don’t count him out yet because he didn’t do much in 2018 until Week 3.
Total Defense: 25
Special Teams
Specialists (3)
Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, Kameron Canaday
Changes: None
Analysis: Boz looks better, but Berry may be in more of a battle with Ian Berryman than he realizes.