When requested on the ultimate day of obligatory minicamp how he plans to spend his time earlier than the beginning of coaching camp on July 24, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin quipped: “Minding my enterprise.”
The NFL is taking its solely deep breath of the calendar over a span of 5 weeks the place not a lot, if something, is occurring. Barring one thing sudden, that seemingly contains the Steelers placing their continued seek for a large receiver to fit alongside George Pickens on maintain. Enterprise will ramp up a bit after the Fourth of July, however for probably the most half, the 90 males who’re presently on the roster will verify into Saint Vincent School for coaching camp in 4 weeks.
However how will the roster look on cutdown day, Aug. 27, or a day or two later after groups have scoured the waiver wire? Right here’s the way it appears to be like proper now following three months of massaging a bunch that might have 20 (or extra) new faces on the ultimate 53-man roster.
(Be aware: Rookies are in italics.)
George Pickens is the lone standout in a crowded receiver room. (Joseph Maiorana / USA As we speak)
Offense (24)
Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
The Steelers revamped their quarterback room — Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph to Wilson, Fields and Allen. Throw in new quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and also you hardly ever see that a lot turnover at a important place from one 12 months to the following. All three have expertise, however all three are also on low-cost one-year offers. The Steelers’ 4 quarterbacks rely $6.4 million complete towards the cap. For perspective, the Browns’ QBs rely $67.7 million, the Ravens’ $35.1 million and the Bengals’ $32.5 million
The room is a lot better and deeper than final 12 months, and that was by design. Wilson was introduced in to be the QB1, and that’s what he can be no matter how camp goes. The Steelers normally maintain three on the roster. Despite the fact that John Rhys Plumlee is fascinating, he has just about no shot of constructing the ultimate 53.
Lower (1): John Rhys Plumlee
Working again (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Harris and Warren mainly cut up snaps down the center final 12 months, and there’s no purpose that ought to change. Patterson was introduced in to be a kick-return specialist, however he has additionally spent the previous three years beneath Arthur Smith as a profitable operating again after spending the primary eight years of his profession at receiver. That versatility offers roster flexibility, which might be a foul factor for an up-and-comer like Daijun Edwards, who will seemingly shine in coaching camp and preseason, no less than making the teaching workers ponder conserving him on the preliminary 53-man roster.
Lower (5): Daijun Edwards, La’Mical Perine, Jonathan Ward, Aaron Shampklin, Jack Colletto (FB)
Extensive receiver (6): Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Quez Watkins, TBD
The receiver room was additionally revamped from 2023, with 5 new faces (Jefferson, Wilson, Watkins, Scotty Miller, Jaray Jenkins) and a few observe squad gamers to pair with Pickens and Austin. It’s a piece in progress, despite the fact that the Steelers’ entrance workplace preferred what the group did through the offseason classes. A high-end addition appears seemingly at this level, however that might come close to the tip of coaching camp or perhaps simply earlier than the season. A technique or one other, it looks like someone who isn’t on the 90-man roster as we speak can be on the ultimate 53.
By way of competitors, Watkins would barely squeak previous Miller for the sixth and closing receiver spot primarily based on his particular groups potential, no less than for now.
Lower (6): Jaray Jenkins, Scotty Miller, Duece Watts, Marquez Callaway, Dez Fitzpatrick, Jacob Copeland
Tight finish (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
The tight ends are just about set in stone at this level. All of it relies on whether or not they wish to maintain three or 4. A fourth could be Rodney Williams primarily based on his particular groups talents, however he appears extra destined to land on the observe squad as of proper now.
Lower (2): Rodney Williams, MyCole Pruitt
Offensive line (9): LT Broderick Jones, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Zach Frazier, RG James Daniels, RT Troy Fautanu, OT Dan Moore Jr., G/C Mason McCormick, G/C Nate Herbig, OL Spencer Anderson
The Steelers have invested 5 draft picks on the offensive line over the previous 12 months. Add within the free-agent signings of three others, and the unit is just about decided earlier than they even get to camp. Now, Ryan McCollum might be a sleeper and discover his manner onto the ultimate roster, however provided that they maintain 10 offensive linemen. Because it sits now, the one questions in regards to the group are whether or not Frazier and Fautanu begin the season at heart and proper sort out, respectively.
Lower (6): Ryan McCollum, Dylan Cook dinner, Tyler Seaside, Anderson Hardy, Devery Hamilton, Joey Fisher
T.J. Watt leads a top quality of group of outdoor linebackers that lacks the depth it had final season. (Dylan Buell/Getty Pictures)
Protection (26)
Line of defense (7): Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal
With Heyward and Loudermilk in contract years and Ogunjobi a candidate to be minimize subsequent offseason with out crippling wage cap ramifications, the Steelers should look forward in the case of establishing their line of defense room. They’ve, on paper, an excellent beginning three with Heyward, Ogunjobi and Benton, however after that, it’s a little cloudy. Loudermilk hasn’t lived as much as draft expectations however has expertise. The identical is true of Leal. The Steelers will maintain as many as they will, however camp may simply power a call on Loudermilk, particularly with a draft decide invested in Logan Lee.
Lower: (4) Breiden Fehoko, Logan Lee, Jacob Slade, Jonathan Marshall
Outdoors linebacker (3): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig
Julius Welschof (Worldwide Participant Pathway — doesn’t rely towards 53)
It will be finest to discover a fourth exterior linebacker for depth functions, but when all three keep wholesome, there’s no want for that. Herbig will be capable to take all of the snaps by which Watt or Highsmith sit. The group behind this trio is likely to be higher off on the observe squad, and the group might hit the waiver wire for an improve. If one of many others does make it, David Perales could be a reputation to look at for.
Lower: (4): David Perales, Kyron Johnson, Jeremiah Moon, Jacoby Windmon
Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
Cole Holcomb (PUP — doesn’t rely towards 53)
The place was decimated by accidents final 12 months, regardless of what the entrance workplace felt was nice depth. The query heading into camp this time is Holcomb. The Steelers haven’t been overly informative in regards to the critical left knee harm he suffered halfway by way of 2023. He can be solely eight months faraway from surgical procedure when the Steelers report, which makes him a candidate to start out camp on the bodily unable to carry out checklist. If he stays on the checklist to start out the season, Holcomb would miss no less than 4 video games and never rely towards the 53, shopping for him time to probably play later in 2024. Wilson and Robinson — two high-end particular teamers — are locks.
Lower: (1): Tyler Murray
Cornerback (8): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Cory Trice Jr., Anthony Averett, Beanie Bishop Jr., Darius Rush, Josiah Scott
Solely Porter stays from final 12 months’s preliminary lively roster, because the Steelers revamped the place as a lot as they did at QB. You possibly can by no means have too many corners, so the Steelers will maintain as many as potential with the considered mixing youth and expertise. The highest three of Porter, Jackson and Sutton are stable, with Trice being an unknown coming off a knee harm as a rookie. Averett is a veteran however has handled accidents as properly, whereas Bishop and Rush are younger and studying, and Scott gives an alternative choice within the slot.
Lower: (3): Kalon Barnes, Ryan Watts, Thomas Graham Jr.
Security (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
It is a stable group that’s seemingly set already. Elliott signed as a free agent in March, and Kazee offers depth and a possible wrinkle in huge nickel packages, whereas Killebrew is an All-Professional particular teamer. The Steelers have traditionally gone with 5 safeties, however that doesn’t appear like it’s vital this 12 months.
Lower: (3): Grayland Arnold, Nathan Meadors, Jalen Elliott
Punter Cam Johnston arrived through free company from Houston. (Vincent Carchietta / USA As we speak)
Particular groups (3)
Kicker (1): Chris Boswell
Boswell bounced again in an enormous manner final 12 months. After lacking a career-high eight area purpose makes an attempt and posting the second-worst area purpose share (71.4) of his profession in 2022, he was lethal correct in 2023, lacking two of 31 makes an attempt, together with a 61-yarder (he made a 56-yarder earlier than a penalty moved the ball again). Solely two kickers within the league missed fewer.
Lower: (1) Matthew Wright
Punter (1): Cameron Johnston
The Steelers signed among the finest punters on the free-agent market after years of futility on the place. Johnston tied for sixth within the NFL in internet punting common (43.7 yards) and was in the course of the pack in gross common (47.7). However the Steelers preferred his “analytics” probably the most, in response to Tomlin. Johnston’s 45.5 % fee of punts contained in the opponents’ 20-yard line was sixth-best within the NFL, and his 4.5 % fee of touchbacks ranked ninth.
Lengthy snapper (1): Christian Kuntz
Kuntz hasn’t had a foul snap since taking up the job in 2021 however did get referred to as for a important false begin for “elevating his head” in a loss to the Patriots. He’s 30 and lately signed a three-year deal. For the primary time shortly, Pittsburgh didn’t usher in competitors for camp.
(Prime photograph of Donte Jackson, 26, and Joey Porter Jr., 21: Gene J. Puskar / Related Press)
