Pittsburgh Steelers: Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart Predictions
The 2016 NFL draft is over, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have seven new players on the roster.
As expected, general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin focused on the defense. They used five of seven draft choices on this side of the ball, including one cornerback, one safety, two linebackers and one defensive lineman.
The top two selections—cornerback Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis—bolstered the secondary, although not immediately. Both players will need time to develop, as will third-round pick defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. However, all three should eventually become impact players.
Over the final four rounds, the Steelers addressed depth along the offensive line with offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins as well at linebacker with Travis Feeney and Tyler Matakevich. Demarcus Ayers has a chance to compete at receiver, but he will focus on the return game.
Even though every player addressed a need, not everyone is guaranteed to make the final roster. There is already a lot of talent in place, and several rookies may not be on the team come September. However, there are some underperforming veterans who will be on the chopping block as well.
Although there is still time for the Steelers to make transactions, here is a way-too-early look at what the final 53-man roster could look like for the 2016 season.
Quarterback
1 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Ben Roethlisberger |
| 2 | Landry Jones |
| 3 | Bruce Gradkowski (projected) |
After two consecutive seasons playing all 16 games, Ben Roethlisberger was battered and bruised throughout the 2015 season. He missed action with a medial collateral ligament sprain, a foot sprain and a concussion during the regular season and suffered a separated shoulder during the playoffs.
In all, Roethlisberger started 11 regular-season games and came off the bench for another. He hopes for a healthier 2016 and plans to take part in a high-cardio training routine with team trainers, according to agent Ryan Tollner (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com).
Roethlisberger has thrown for over 4,000 yards in four of the past seven seasons and nearly eclipsed that number in just 12 games last season. He has complete command of the offense, which has developed into one of the best in the NFL.
Landry Jones established himself as a competent NFL player after he struggled through his first two seasons. Even last year, he looked like a borderline roster player after the preseason.
Injuries thrust Jones into the lineup, and he played in seven games last season, including two starts. He finished season with 513 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions with a 58.2 completion percentage.
Jones did show that he could hit his targets when he had time to throw, but he also faded in big moments, including a horrible interception in the Wild Card Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Based on the current roster, the Steelers will enter the season with two quarterbacks. However, expect them to add a veteran prior to the start of training camp and for this yet-to-be-named player make the final roster as well.
Running Back
2 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Le'Veon Bell |
| 2 | DeAngelo Williams |
| 3 | Fitzgerald Toussaint |
| 4 | Roosevelt Nix |
When healthy, the Steelers have one of the best running back duos in the league. In fact, Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report named Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams the top duo entering the 2015 season.
After a breakout second season, Bell looked to take his game to the next level in 2015 and had an outstanding start to the season. Over the first six games, he ran for 556 yards with an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He added another 136 yards through the air.
Bell is an all-around back who can run to all parts of the field, split out as a receiver and serve as a pass protector. The Steelers missed all of this after Bell’s season ended after Week 8 with an MCL injury. After a long offseason, he was finally cleared to run on March 1.
Williams was brought in as a free agent prior to the 2015 to not only serve as a backup but to ease the load on Bell, who missed the first two games of 2015 due to suspension. He proved to be one of the top free-agent signings, according to Mike Sando of ESPN.com.
While Williams isn’t an athletic freak like Bell, he was an excellent fit for Pittsburgh’s offense, as he could contribute on the ground as well as the passing game. He started 10 games for the Steelers and finished the regular season with 1,274 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns.
Fitzgerald Toussaint was on the practice squad last year, and the team thrust him into the lineup during the playoffs due to injury. He performed well given the circumstances, running hard and giving the Steelers enough on the ground. Unfortunately, his season will be remembered for a fumble against the Denver Broncos. That play should not define him; he will be just fine as the No. 3 running back.
Roosevelt Nix was a training camp standout last year and earned a spot on the final roster. He carved out a niche at fullback and developed into a strong blocker. He will once again be an asset paving the way for Bell and Williams.
Wide Receiver
3 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Antonio Brown |
| 2 | Markus Wheaton |
| 3 | Darrius Heyward-Bey |
| 4 | Sammie Coates |
| 5 | Eli Rogers |
| 6 | Demarcus Ayers |
The Steelers looked to have the deepest group of receivers in the NFL next season, but they lost their most athletically gifted option—Martavis Bryant—to a one-year suspension. Even with this loss, they still have talent as long as everyone stays healthy.
Antonio Brown leads the way as arguably the best receiver in the league. His production has been on a meteoric rise over the past four seasons, as he reached career highs in receptions (136) and yards (1,834) last season. He is possibly the toughest receiver in the NFL to cover and should once again have a monster season.
Markus Wheaton is a solid second or third option, but he will have to step up his game without Bryant in the lineup. He had a career-high 17 yards per reception last year, but that number will be hard to replicate. He will have to prove that he can consistently produce on a weekly basis for the offense to dominate.
Sammie Coates will compete with Darrius Heyward-Bey for the No. 3 role. Heyward-Bey’s eight years of experience makes him a favorite, but Coates' upside should eventually help the second-year man win the job before the end of the season.
The 6'1", 212-pound Coates is big, physical receiver who provided a brief glimpse of what he is capable of in the playoffs last year. He has all of the skills to develop into a top option, but he has to prove that he can consistently catch the ball. Until then, the Steelers will use Heyward-Bey, who proved to be a dependable option last year.
At the bottom of the depth chart, Eli Rogers will capitalize on a good showing in training camp last year to make the roster. He likely won’t see the field, but he is the next best option out of the receivers currently on the roster.
Demarcus Ayers will sneak onto the roster not for his skills as a receiver—which need developed—but rather for his ability as a punt returner.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Active Colts Football")
Tight End
4 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Ladarius Green |
| 2 | Matt Spaeth |
| 3 | Jesse James |
The tight end position will have a different look this year with the retirement of Heath Miller. To replace him, the Steelers signed Ladarius Green to a four-year, $20 million contract.
With Miller, the Steelers had a consistent option in the passing game as well as a strong blocker. They aren’t getting the same type of player with Green. Though the 6’6”, 250-pound Green is capable of blocking, he is at his best in the passing game.
Green has enough speed to provide the Steelers with a vertical threat for the middle part of the field. He will help fill the void left by the suspended Bryant while adding a new dimension to Pittsburgh’s offense.
Matt Spaeth will once again play primarily as an extra offensive lineman. The 6'7", 262-pounder is a strong blocker in both the ground game and pass protection. This will take on a greater importance without Miller on the roster.
The final spot will go to Jesse James, who had a solid rookie year with eight receptions and a touchdown. He has a future as a No. 2 tight end in the Steelers offense but will need to refine his ability as a route-runner and improve his blocking.
Offensive Line
5 of 13
| Depth Chart | Position | Player |
| 1 | OT | Alejandro Villanueva |
| 1 | OT | Marcus Gilbert |
| 1 | OG | Ramon Foster |
| 1 | OG | David DeCastro |
| 1 | C | Maurkice Pouncey |
| 2 | OT | Ryan Harris |
| 2 | OG/C | Cody Wallace |
| 3 | OT | Jerald Hawkins |
| 3 | OG/C | Chris Hubbard |
Mike Munchak will once again have one of the most talent offensive lines in the NFL, thanks to years of high draft picks.
Maurkice Pouncey is one of those high draft picks, and he will return to action after missing the 2015 season. According to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pouncey was present for offseason training, which should place him on track for training camp.
Pouncey is the leader of the offensive line, and the Steelers are a better unit with him on the field. His mobility and ability to get to the second level opens up options in the ground game. His teammates will welcome him back with open arms.
David DeCastro had his best year as a professional in 2015. He is strong in pass protection but is a true asset with his ability to pull in the ground game. He could be an All-Pro in 2016.
On the opposite side, Ramon Foster is the veteran of the group. He doesn’t have the same mobility as Pouncey and DeCastro, but he adds an element of power. He also does not back down from any defender and serves as the sheriff on the offensive line.
At right tackle, Marcus Gilbert transformed from an average tackle to one of the best in the league last year. He could have been named to the Pro Bowl for his excellent play. Part of the reason his play improved was the work he put in during the offseason, according to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
On the left side, Alejandro Villanueva is a raw, but talented tackle. He was forced into the lineup due to injuries last season and performed well. Although he struggled at times, he also showed the potential to be an above-average left tackle.
If Villanueva regresses, the Steelers brought in Ryan Harris to challenge for the job. He has a wealth of starting experience—70 games in eight seasons—and can play both sides of the line.
The Steelers will also train rookie Jerald Hawkins to play both tackle positions. As long as he picks up each position, there is an outside chance they could try him at guard as well. Although he shouldn’t play this year, he will provide quality depth if there any injury issues.
Cody Wallace is the backup center and could play guard as well if needed. He is undersized for guard at 6'4" and 296 pounds but has plenty of experience at center. Although he can get pushed around by powerful nose tackles, he is a feisty player who can get the job done.
Chris Hubbard will once again serve as an interior backup. Guard is his best position, but he would likely fall behind Wallace if the Steelers needed to play a reserve in the starting lineup.
Defensive End
6 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Cameron Heyward |
| 2 | Stephon Tuitt |
| 3 | Ricardo Mathews |
| 4 | L.T. Walton |
With Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, the Steelers have a talented set of defensive ends. However, they lack depth at the position, which will force the starters into a high snap count.
Heyward is a team leader and one of the best defensive players on the roster. Over the years, he has developed into a disruptive force on the line, which showed last year when he took on a greater role rushing the passer. He led the team with seven sacks last season and was a force against the run.
Like Heyward, Tuitt was very active at the line of scrimmage. He finished just behind Heyward with 6.5 sacks and possibly has a bigger upside. Expect him to perform at a higher level in 2016 now that the third-year man has another year of NFL experience under his belt.
Ricardo Mathews comes from the San Diego Chargers, where he was used as a rotational player. He will continue that role in Pittsburgh as a backup at defensive end and on the interior in the sub package. He is a capable run defender but does not do much when rushing the quarterback.
L.T. Walton was a raw prospect when the Steelers drafted him last year, yet he was still able to find a spot on the team. He still has limited experience but has a chance to take on more responsibilities now that he has a year in the system.
Nose Tackle
7 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Daniel McCullers |
| 2 | Javon Hargrave |
Nose tackle does not have a prominent role in Pittsburgh’s defense anymore. The Steelers allowed Steve McLendon to leave via free agency and don’t have a prototypical nose tackle on the roster anymore.
Instead, they will use a combination of Daniel McCullers and Javon Hargrave.
McCullers is a mountain in the middle of the defense. The 6'7", 352-pounder is powerful and can push the pocket when he wants to, but his strength is defending the run. Given the limited amount of snaps the Steelers take in their base 3-4 defense, McCullers will not see the field much.
Hargrave has a lot to learn as a rookie out of South Carolina State. However, the Steelers can take advantage of his quickness off the snap and use him to rush the quarterback in the sub package. Here the coaches can use him as a 3-technique tackle and take advantage of his raw physical abilities.
Outside Linebacker
8 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | James Harrison |
| 2 | Bud Dupree |
| 3 | Arthur Moats |
| 4 | Jarvis Jones |
| 5 | Travis Feeney |
The Steelers have a lot of draft picks invested at outside linebacker, but they’ve yet to experience the payoff.
Even at 37 years old, James Harrison is the best pass-rusher at outside linebacker. Although he hasn’t officially committed to coming back, he has spent the offseason posting workout videos on his Instagram account. His snaps need to be limited, but he is still an effective option to stop the run and rush the passer.
Opposite of Harrison, Bud Dupree should lock down the starting job at left outside linebacker. He played in a rotation with Arthur Moats last year but needs to play more snaps in year two. He has freakish athleticism, and defensive coordinator Keith Butler needs to find a way to take advantage of it.
Former first-round pick Jarvis Jones has yet to establish himself as a starter and remains behind Harrison. The Steelers need him to create plays behind the line of scrimmage, but those plays have been few and far between. Although he has trouble generating pressure, he is adequate against the run.
Moats is a dependable veteran who is best in a reserve role. He doesn’t have any special traits, which limits his production from a position where the Steelers need playmakers.
At the bottom of the depth chart, Anthony Chickillo and Travis Feeney will compete for the final roster spot.
Although Chickillo flashed his potential in training camp last year, Feeney will win the job. The sixth-round rookie has excellent athletic traits and can eventually develop into a role player on passing downs. Until then, he will contribute on special teams.
Inside Linebacker
9 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Lawrence Timmons |
| 2 | Ryan Shazier |
| 3 | Vince Williams |
| 4 | Steven Johnson |
| 5 | Tyler Matakevich |
Last season, inside linebacker was the deepest position on the defense. Even with the loss of Sean Spence and Terence Garvin to free agency, it is still one of the deepest positional groups.
Lawrence Timmons leads the way as one of Pittsburgh’s most dependable starters. Though he is a step slower than he used to be, the Steelers can count on him for being on the field for nearly every snap and leading the team in tackles.
As one of the fastest linebackers in the league, Ryan Shazier is due for a breakout year. So far, his two-year career has been defined by injuries, but he is a playmaker when healthy. He can fly to the ball and blow up plays before they get started. If not for Shazier’s forced fumble in the Wild Card Round, the Steelers lose the game.
Vince Williams is capable of starting, which puts the Steelers in a good spot. He is a hard hitter, plays well against the run and a good sub player for early downs.
The Steelers signed Steven Johnson to add more depth and play special teams. He has four years of experience, including one season with seven starts for the Denver Broncos. Although he can play on the inside, his primary role will be to replace Garvin on special teams.
As a potential long shot to make the final roster, Tyler Matakevich will be a training camp favorite. He is a hard worker and has great instincts for the game. He was a highly productive linebacker at Temple, where he was the leader of the defense. He’ll have to shine on special teams to make the roster as a rookie.
Cornerback
10 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | William Gay |
| 2 | Ross Cockrell |
| 3 | Senquez Golson |
| 4 | Artie Burns |
| 5 | Doran Grant |
The Steelers had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season. In order to improve, they have to hope that their young cornerbacks develop quickly or they will be in for another long season.
William Gay will once again top the depth chart. He is best suited for a nickel role but is the top cornerback on the roster. Teams don’t always look his way because there are easier targets on the field. However, when they do, he has the ability to make a play on the ball and has five interceptions—with four returned for a touchdown—over the last two seasons.
Ross Cockrell was a late addition to the team last season and immediately made a positive impression. He played a significant role for the defense last year and tied for the team lead with 11 passes defended. As one of two cornerbacks expected to make the final roster at least six feet tall (rookie Artie Burns is the other), he will start the season opposite of Gay.
Senquez Golson missed his entire rookie season but was finally cleared to play on January 1, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Although he lacks size (5’9”), he was a playmaker in college and will get a chance to prove himself at the NFL level. He is the favorite to win the nickel job.
Burns, the team's first-round draft pick, is a future No. 1 cornerback and will play a limited role with the defense in his first year. He is athletically gifted but is still learning the position and will need excellent coaching if he wants to be in the top three this year.
Doran Grant is another young prospect with potential to earn playing time this year. He has one year of experience and may even get a look at safety.
Safety
11 of 13
| Depth Chart | Position |
| 1 | Mike Mitchell |
| 2 | Robert Golden |
| 3 | Sean Davis |
| 4 | Ross Ventrone |
Safety is another position where the Steelers needed to add talent this offseason. While they didn’t add anyone through free agency, they did draft Sean Davis in the second round.
Davis has experience at cornerback and safety but will focus at safety for the Steelers. He is comfortable playing in the box and loves to hit opponents. There is an outside chance he earns playing time on passing downs, but he must refine his technique in coverage and harness his aggressive nature before the coaches will trust him on the field.
Until Davis is ready, the Steelers will start Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden.
Mitchell recovered nicely after a poor first year in Pittsburgh. In his second season, he was third on the team with 80 tackles, second in passes defended with nine and led the team with three interceptions.
Meanwhile, Golden will finally get a chance in the starting lineup after playing primarily on special teams. He performed well in three starts last season in addition to his role as a backup. He finished the season with a career-high 40 tackles, four passes defended and an interception.
Ross Ventrone won’t get many snaps with the defense but is a strong performer on special teams.
Special Teams
12 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| Kicker | Chris Boswell |
| Punter | Jordan Berry |
| Kicker Returner | Demarcus Ayers |
| Punter Returner | Demarcus Ayers |
| Long Snapper | Greg Warren |
When Shaun Suisham went down, the kicking game imploded. His replacement—Garrett Hartley—suffered a hamstring injury, which forced another move by the front office. This time, they traded a draft pick for Josh Scobee, who was later cut for too many missed field goals.
Once the Steelers settled on Chris Boswell, they found their kicker of the future. He was outstanding all year and converted on 29 of 32 attempts, including a long of 51 yards. He came up in the clutch on multiple occasions, including a big field goal to win a playoff game in Cincinnati.
They didn’t have as much luck with their young punter. Jordan Berry won a camp battle with Brad Wing but had a disappointing season. Despite having excellent hang time throughout camp, he averaged just 42.6 yards per punt. However, he did finish in the top half of the league in punts inside the 20-yard line and fair catches.
Before the end of camp, Ayers will take over punt- and kickoff-return duties. He has experience at both, which will allow the Steelers to keep Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton out of the return game.
Long snapper Greg Warren has 12 years of experience and is excellent at his job. He has the job locked down until he is ready to retire.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.
53-Man Roster Projection
13 of 13
Here is your final way-too-early 53-man roster prediction:
| Player | Position | |
| 1 | Ben Roethlisberger | QB |
| 2 | Landry Jones | QB |
| 3 | Bruce Gradkowski | QB |
| 4 | Le'Veon Bell | RB |
| 5 | DeAngelo Williams | RB |
| 6 | Fitzgerald Toussaint | RB |
| 7 | Roosevelt Nix | FB |
| 8 | Antonio Brown | WR |
| 9 | Markus Wheaton | WR |
| 10 | Darrius Heyward-Bey | WR |
| 11 | Sammie Coates | WR |
| 12 | Eli Rogers | WR |
| 13 | Demarcus Ayers | WR/KR/PR |
| 14 | Ladarius Green | TE |
| 15 | Matt Spaeth | TE |
| 16 | Jesse James | TE |
| 17 | Alejandro Villanueva | OT |
| 18 | Marcus Gilbert | OT |
| 19 | Ramon Foster | OG |
| 20 | David DeCastro | OG |
| 21 | Maurkice Pouncey | C |
| 22 | Ryan Harris | OT |
| 23 | Jerald Hawkins | OT |
| 24 | Cody Wallace | OG/C |
| 25 | Chris Hubbard | OG/C |
| 26 | Cameron Heyward | DE |
| 27 | Stephon Tuitt | DE |
| 28 | Ricardo Mathews | DE |
| 29 | L.T. Walton | DE |
| 30 | Daniel McCullers | NT |
| 31 | Javon Hargrave | NT |
| 32 | James Harrison | OLB |
| 33 | Bud Dupree | OLB |
| 34 | Arthur Moats | OLB |
| 35 | Jarvis Jones | OLB |
| 36 | Travis Feeney | OLB |
| 37 | Lawrence Timmons | ILB |
| 38 | Ryan Shazier | ILB |
| 39 | Vince Williams | ILB |
| 40 | Steven Johnson | ILB |
| 41 | Tyler Matakevich | ILB |
| 42 | William Gay | CB |
| 43 | Ross Cockrell | CB |
| 44 | Senquez Golson | CB |
| 45 | Artie Burns | CB |
| 46 | Doran Grant | CB |
| 47 | Mike Mitchell | S |
| 48 | Robert Golden | S |
| 49 | Sean Davis | S |
| 50 | Ross Ventrone | S |
| 51 | Chris Boswell | K |
| 52 | Jordan Berry | P |
| 53 | Greg Warren | LS |
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Active Colts Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Giants Cowboys Football")
.png?w=600 "Who Will Panthers Take at No. 9 ? 🤔")
