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Saunders: Steelers Post-Minicamp 53-Man Roster Projection
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- Saunders: Steelers Post-Minicamp 53-Man Roster Projection
Pittsburgh Steelers defense during OTAs on June 5, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH —The hay is in the barn, as Pittsburgh Steelers have done the work of three weeks of OTAs and another week of minicamp practices at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
The team will now have six weeks off before it reconvenes for training camp at St. Vincent College. Let's take this time to make a projection for the Steelers' 53-man roster.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS PRE-TRAINING CAMP 53-MAN ROSTER PROJECTION
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie QB Drew Allar during rookie minicamp on May 9, 2026. Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers , Mason Rudolph , Drew Allar
This might be the toughest cut on the team. The Steelers are legitimately going to give Will Howard every possibly opportunity to beat out Mason Rudolph for the backup quarterback job, and even though he's never taken a single NFL snap, I'm not going to say he can't win it either. Third-round picks don't get cut, so I assume Drew Allar is safe unless he's injured, meaning it will likely be backup or nothing for Howard.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson at OTAs on June 9, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Running backs (4): Jaylen Warren , Rico Dowdle , Kaleb Johnson , Travis Homer
Eli Heidenreich is another tough cut, and he very well could push someone like Kaleb Johnson or Travis Homer off the roster with his greater versatility and special teams ability than Johnson and greater offensive production than Homer. He definitely has a chance to win his way onto the roster at camp, and Johnson might have the most to prove of anyone.
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Riley Nowakowski at OTAs on May 29, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Tight Ends (3): Pat Freiermuth , Darnell Washington , Riley Nowakowski
Instead of losing one of their draft picks on waivers, the Steelers can use Robert Tonyan as the No. 3 tight end from the practice squad. Riley Nowakowski gets ahead of him on the roster thanks to versatility and special teams ability.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Kaden Wetjen at OTAs on June 9, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Wide Receivers (6): DK Metcalf , Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson , Germie Bernard , Ben Skowronek , Kaden Wetjen
The Steelers probably don't need six wide receivers, but with somewhat limited skillsets from Roman Wilson , Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen , they'll probably all make the team, as they all bring something different to the table. Wetjen is a lock because he's the top option at punt returner.
Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Dylan Cook in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 28, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Offensive Tackle (4): Broderick Jones , Troy Fautanu , Dylan Cook , Max Iheanachor
While Broderick Jones remans a question mark because of his health, there's a ton of quality depth there, with or without him. Jack Driscoll , who was on the roster last year as a veteran backup, likely heads to the waiver wire or the practice squad.
Pittsburgh Steelers G Spencer Anderson at practice on June 5, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Interior Offensive Line (5): Zach Frazier , Mason McCormick , Spencer Anderson , Brock Hoffman , Gennings Dunker
While there's still significant drama about who is going to start at right guard, the five interior players to make the roster seems fairly set, with returning veteran Ryan McCollum on the outside of the 53-man roster looking in as we enter training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo in a playoff game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Interior Defensive Line (7): Cam Heyward , Keeanu Benton , Derrick Harmon , Sebastian Joseph-Day , Yayha Black, Dean Lowry , Esezi Otomewo
It's a pretty tough battle at the end of this position group. Right now, I'll give the nod to veteran Dean Lowry , who has the most experience, and Esezi Otomewo , who played the best in 2025, but Logan Lee and sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio will have their say, as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jack Sawyer during a game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson
Outside Linebacker (4): T.J. Watt , Alex Highsmith , Nick Herbig , Jack Sawyer
There's no reason to think twice about this position, although I suppose that Jamin Davis could play well enough to push a player from another spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Carson Bruener at practice on Jan. 9, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Inside Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen , Payton Wilson , Cole Holcomb , Malik Harrison , Carson Bruener
There are five returners at this position and no significant additions, so this seems like an easy projection, though Carson Bruener will have to prove himself to a new coaching staff as a former seventh-round pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daylen Everette at OTAs on June 9, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Cornerbacks (6): Jalen Ramsey , Joey Porter Jr. , Jamel Dean , Asante Samuel Jr. , Brandin Echols , Daylen Everette
This might be the deepest spot on the roster, with third-round pick Daylen Everette scratching to make the team as the No. 6 cornerback, despite a very strong spring of practices.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Darnell Savage at mandatory minicamp practice on June 2, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Safeties (3): DeShon Elliott , Jaquan Brisker , Darnell Savage
I would be looking to add a veteran free safety to this group, but as it stands, the Steelers have the flexibility to be a little bit light when it comes to the number of defensive backs on the roster, thanks to Jalen Ramsey 's versatility and the depth at cornerback.
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston at training camp on Aug. 12, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Specialists (3): Cameron Johnston , Chris Boswell , Christian Kuntz
I'm surprised by the lack of competition for Cameron Johnston, but for now, this is a default pick.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Saunders: Steelers Post-Minicamp 53-Man Roster Projection
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