PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With back-to-back strong draft classes, the Steelers are in the midst of a youth movement, and this year’s roster reflects that. The average age of this offensive line projection is 24.7 years and all but three linemen are 25 or younger, including three of five starting linemen.
One of the more veteran groups is the wide receiver room with players like Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller and George Pickens, but barring a splash trade, the position still lacks depth.
And perhaps the most difficult decisions will come in the defensive line group with several players, including DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee and Isaiahh Loudermilk, vying for the final roster spots.
With the Cameron Sutton suspension looming and linebacker Cole Holcomb likely to start the season on PUP, at least two roster spots will open up after the initial 53-man roster cut-down, potentially opening the door for players such as receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, tackle Dylan Cook or an additional defensive back.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Steelers:
QUARTERBACK (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen.
There’s no drama in who will make the roster at quarterback, but in who will start Week 1. Wilson entered with pole position, but a calf injury curbed his camp participation. Still, he appears poised to enter the season opener in Atlanta as the starter, though Fields is hot on his heels.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson.
Jonathan Ward had a solid preseason and appeared to be an RB3 contender, but an injury sidelined him prior to the second preseason game. Patterson is a kick return specialist, but he’s also a do-everything offensive weapon and showed an ability to line up at running back and wide receiver during training camp.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller.
Barring a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, this is the most likely wide receiver corps. Jefferson had a solid camp and appears poised to be the team’s No. 2 receiver. Miller was an under-the-radar offseason addition, but he was steady in camp and showed good chemistry with Fields and Wilson. Quez Watkins and Dez Fitzpatrick are also possibilities in this group, but Watkins was plagued by drops as a punt returner. Fitzpatrick, though, could snag a roster spot as a gunner on punt coverage.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
Four tight ends are a lot for a traditional Steelers roster, but offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves using them in his offense. Washington was used more as a pass catcher through camp, and Pruitt has versatility as a pass catcher and blocker.
OFFENSIVE LINES (9): Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum.
The offensive line’s depth took a hit when Nate Herbig went on IR, but it also means as the only other true center, McCollum has the edge for the final roster spot in the offensive line group. The door isn’t completely closed on Dylan Cook, especially if Fautanu’s injury takes longer to heal than expected.
DEFENSIVE LINES (7): Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Logan Lee, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams.
The toughest decision in this group comes down to selecting the final defensive linemen between Lee, Leal and Loudermilk. Ultimately, Lee and Leal get the edge because Lee is a 2024 draft pick and Leal showed versatility playing across the defensive line and at outside linebacker. With Markus Golden’s retirement, the Steelers need more depth at outside linebacker, and Leal gives them insurance at the position.
LINEBACKERS (8): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Elandon Roberts, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Tyler Matakevich.
Herbig is having a standout preseason and turned heads in the second preseason game with 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in just 13 snaps. With Holcomb still not practicing as he returns from last season’s catastrophic knee injury, he’s likely to begin the season on PUP, freeing up a roster spot after the initial cutdown. That could go to an extra offensive lineman, wide receiver or defensive lineman.
CORNERBACKS (6): Donte Jackson, Joey Porter Jr., Beanie Bishop Jr., Cory Trice Jr., Thomas Graham Jr., Cameron Sutton.
Bishop was one of the biggest training camp surprises, benefitting from injuries and impending suspensions to give himself a shot at the starting nickel job — though a lingering injury limited his action in the third preseason game and Graham Jr. got the start at slot. Trice has also moved up from being deep in the depth chart to open camp to mixing in with the Steelers’ dime package and with the first team in place of Jackson during his off days. Trice missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear, but he’s on an upward trajectory. Sutton, meanwhile, will make the initial roster before being placed on the NFL’s suspension list for eight games. That will free up another roster spot — maybe one that goes to Fitzpatrick and the wide receiver room.
SAFETIES (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts.
The safeties continue to be in much better shape than they finished the 2023 season. Not only do the Steelers have two starting-caliber strong safeties in Kazee and Elliott, but Watts is also adapting quickly to the position after spending his college years as a cornerback. The addition of Watts and Elliott should also free up Fitzpatrick to get back to his ball-hawking ways after an interception-less 2023 season.
SPECIALISTS (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Johnston’s play has been a highlight of the preseason. He averaged 56.8 per punt in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and boomed a 65-yarder.
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