Projecting Steelers 53-man roster

LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – It’s almost like trying to put out a preseason college football or basketball pool before any games are played. A first look at a projected Steelers 53-man roster with the first preseason game coming up on Thursday.

It’s really the evaluations from that game and the subsequent other two matchups that will determine player’s value. Injuries will play into who makes the team, but as of days before the Packers matchup, a look at our projected 53-man roster.

Quarterbacks (3)—Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar

• Let everyone scream of what Mike McCarthy said about Mason Rudolph. You could echo the praise he’s had for Howard as well. It’s very likely Rudolph could remain. Howard’s play over the three preseason games is going to determine that. Rodgers and Allar are locks, the rest will play out over the next three weeks.

Running backs (3)—Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer

• Kaleb Johnson is attempting to find a role for himself on special teams as more than a returner. It’s new for him and he’s in a battle, but if you are going to have a fullback, a returner who is likely mostly just a returner and if you have any thoughts of keeping four quarterbacks, running back is where you can borrow. A big argument for Johnson is that he was a third-round pick last year & that’s too early to give up on a player drafted that high. It might be the case, though Homer is calling plays with the first team punt unit. It was pointed out by the new special teams coach that Homer is a key veteran. They could make it easier by keeping four. Lew Nichols was on the practice squad this year and will make all of the RB decisions difficult, as will Eli Heidenreich, if he can get back healthy.

Fullback (1)-Riley Nowakowski

• McCarthy said he likes fullbacks, Steelers drafted one who played for national champ Indiana. He can also play tight end and special teams.

Wide receiver (6)—DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen

• Barring a breakout game by another receiver during preseason games, and it might be Brandon Smith who had a big Saturday Night Lights and a good camp, this group seems pretty set with Skowronek a special teams captain after Miles Killebrew’s injury in 2025 and Wetjen listed as the kick returner and potential jet sweep guy.

Tight end (2)—Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington

• Robert Tonyan is a veteran from Green Bay and performed well in camp, but with Nowakowski’s ability to play TE, you could have half as many players at this position in 2026 and add a couple younger players to the practice squad.

Offensive line (10)—Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Brock Hoffman, Steven Jones or Ryan McCollum, Gennings Dunker

• Jones could be a surprise cut, Jones is dealing with an injury, but was running second-team guard up until he was hurt. Ryan McCollum has been with the Steelers in various roles for a couple of years and is a solid back-up center. Doug Nester would be another who has spent time on the practice squad and could get a spot if Jones is released.

Defensive line (6)—Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Esezi Otomewo

• Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said a lot of guys in their room during camp will play in the NFL this year. The first five are locks, it could be Dean Lowry over Otomewo, but Esezi is younger and Lowry coming off a major injury (although he’s been full in camp). Gabriel Rubio was listed as a second-team DL on the first depth chart, but more likely on the practice squad, even though he’s opened some eyes with his play.

OLB (4)—TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

ILB (4)—Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener

• Malik Harrison is a veteran who has played 87 games in the NFL, started nine for the Steelers last year, but Bruener has made strides and is working to making himself invaluable on special teams.

CB (6)—Joey Porter Jr, Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel, Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette

• D’Shawn Jamison could play himself in, but it seems to be the group barring injuries.

S (5)—DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings, Sebastian Castro, TBA

• Castro might be a question, but it’s likely there is a player or two either just joining the roster or not yet on it that will make the team as part of the safety group. Israel Mukuamu played for McCarthy in Dallas and is 6’4”, 215 pounds with 51 games on NFL experience. He could own one of those spots. Jack Henderson is getting an opportunity to prove himself

Kicker (1)—Chris Boswell

Punter (1)—Cam Johnston

Long Snapper (1)—Christian Kuntz