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Bell: Updated Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection
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- Bell: Updated Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection
Pittsburgh Steelers team defense in a huddle at practice on Aug. 18, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
With the preseason winding down, the Pittsburgh Steelers have some decisions to make. With the final preseason game in just a few days and the deadline to trim the active roster down to 53 players, it feels like an appropriate time to update my projections. Some things have certainly changed over the last month, including a late signing to the secondary, injuries in the trenches, players rising to the occasion, and others struggling to find their footing.
As a reminder, this is what I think will happen, not necessarily based on personal preference. It's also worth noting that there will most likely be movement after cutdowns prior to the season opener as the team takes a look at the players newly available on the free agent market (think wide receiver/offensive line). For now, here we go!
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Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers , Mason Rudolph , Will Howard
Analysis: Rudolph's comfortability in the offense should come in handy in the event that the Steelers need him for a game or two at some point in 2024. Skylar Thompson 's preseason debut was impressive, but he would have had to have been nearly flawless to make up ground after an unspectacular camp. Howard's injury doesn't sound like it will keep him sidelined much longer, but unfortunately, it sapped the team's best chance to evaluate his progress.
Running Backs (3): Jaylen Warren , Kaleb Johnson , Kenneth Gainwell
Analysis: Johnson has looked like a rookie in the preseason, and while that's not cause for concern, Warren's handle on the lead back role has tightened in the process. Gainwell isn't a needle mover as a runner, although his receiving skills seem like something that Pittsburgh wants to tap into this season. Keep an eye on Lew Nichols , a former seventh-round selection in 2023, who is making a late push for a practice squad nod.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller and Brandon Johnson celebrate during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Wide Receivers (5): DK Metcalf , Calvin Austin III , Roman Wilson , Ben Skowronek , Scotty Miller
Analysis: On paper, this is arguably the most worrisome group on the entire roster in terms of both talent and how the pieces fit together. Skowronek makes this team because they need his size to help with some of the run-blocking responsibilities on early downs. Miller has had a strong camp that has carried into the preseason, while Robert Woods was getting reps late in the fourth quarter of the Bucs game. Sadly, Father Time seems to have arrived for him.
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Tight Ends (4): Pat Freiermuth , Jonnu Smith , Darnell Washington , Connor Heyward
Analysis : This offense is going to feature a slew of multi-tight end sets this fall, and the Steelers should feel pretty good about the group. Washington has been a blast to watch this summer, and his unique skill set is going to make it difficult for the coaching staff to take him off the field. The quarterbacks on the roster have an appreciation for Heyward, although his primary value comes via special teams.
Offensive Tackles (4): Broderick Jones , Troy Fautanu , Calvin Anderson , Dylan Cook
Analysis: The young starting tackle duo of Jones and Fautanu have looked outstanding in their limited playing time in the preseason. Anderson was resigned with the idea of him being the swing tackle, except he's been banged up, causing him to miss time. Cook's play has been uneven to date through the first two exhibition contests. However, the familiar face is definitely more talented than the other options currently on the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen Dylan Cook, Zach Frazier and Andrus Peat at practice on August. 19, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Interior Offensive Line (6): Isaac Seumalo , Zach Frazier , Mason McCormick , Spencer Anderson , Ryan McCollum , Andrus Peat
Analysis: Anderson has taken quite a good chunk of the starting reps at left guard since the Steelers arrived in Latrobe, a sign that he's cemented himself as the clear-cut top backup in that regard. The injury to McCollum is worrisome because of the lack of clarity and how the players behind him in the pecking order have performed in live action. Keeping ten offensive linemen is steep on the surface, but injuries may cause this to become a reality.
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Interior Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward , Keeanu Benton , Derrick Harmon , Isaiahh Loudermilk , Daniel Ekuale , Yahya Black
Analysis: Ekuale seems to have cemented himself as the backup nose tackle, while Loudermilk and Black will rotate in at the defensive end slots. With Dean Lowry 's season being cut short before it even began, it's opened the door for other contenders to jump through. So far, no one has really stood out to warrant keeping a seventh lineman. Logan Lee 's snapping heroics aside, that alone isn't valuable enough to keep him on board.
EDGE (4): T.J. Watt , Alex Highsmith , Nick Herbig , Jack Sawyer
Analysis: This position group has been etched in stone since April. Pittsburgh has an embarrassment of riches in the form of pass-rushing talent that would make virtually every defensive coordinator in the league jealous. Soft tissue injuries to both Highsmith and Herbig are certainly a tad concerning, especially given the slow start for Sawyer in stadium action. The clock has struck midnight on DeMarvin Leal , who has notched just two pressures on 42 chances through two preseason games.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb before a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen , Payton Wilson , Malik Harrison , Cole Holcomb , Mark Robinson
Analysis: The Steelers have to be impressed by how well Holcomb is moving around after missing all of last season recovering from a gruesome knee injury. It's difficult to find playing time for him in the rotation with Harrison already embracing his role as the downhill thumper, but no team has ever complained about having too much proven depth in their arsenal. As expected, Carson Bruener has been active on special teams, nonetheless Robinson keeps finding a way to stick around in the steel city.
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Cornerback (6): Jalen Ramsey , Joey Porter Jr. , Darius Slay , Brandin Echols , Beanie Bishop, James Pierre
Analysis: Mike Tomlin's preseason philosophy of resting the majority of his starters means that our first look at the Steelers' revamped secondary will come in their regular season opener versus the New York Jets . With Echols impressing outside and now getting cross-trained in the slot, Bishop's opportunities on defense could continue to shrink. Pierre is a qualified gunner and gets the final nod over a guy like Cory Trice , who unfortunately hasn't been able to stay healthy since being drafted. As the saying goes, "Can't make the club from the tub."
Safeties (4): DeShon Elliott , Juan Thornhill , Chuck Clark , Miles Killebrew
Analysis: After Minkah Fitzpatrick was jettisoned to Miami , Thornhill has really stepped up to the plate thus far, silencing the concerns surrounding the free safety spot. Clark was a late summer addition and the veteran has made a pretty seamless transition to the defense as a reliable box safety. Sebastian Castro has been a strong tackler through his first two preseason outings and could be someone that the squad keeps around in hopes to develop down the line.
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Specialists (3): Chris Boswell , Cameron Johnston , Christian Kuntz
Analysis: The punter battle has been pretty intense, to the point that both guys are clearly deserving of kicking for a team this upcoming season. The Steelers gave Johnston a hefty contract, and it feels like they'll want to see that vision come to light. Boswell is disgruntled about his pay, but with two years left on his deal, Pittsburgh may put those negotiations on the back burner for now.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Bell: Updated Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection
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