Pittsburgh Steelers: Predicting Which Players on 45-Man Roster Won't Be Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been working diligently to get themselves under the salary cap, which they must do before they can entertain free agents or sign draft choices. They still have work to do, and there's a good chance that some players won't return next season.

Here's a look at some players who might not be back in 2012.

Who's Already Gone

Bryant McFadden, CB

McFadden fell like an anvil last season. He began the year as the team's starting corner opposite Ike Taylor. He ended it as a part-time player on special teams who rarely saw the field on defense. McFadden could have luck with a change of scenery, but he'll likely be looking for work until someone needs to fill out the roster with a veteran.

Arnaz Battle, WR

Battle was brought in as a special teams ace who could also contribute as a fifth receiver. Unfortunately, the Steelers have a glut of talent at the receiver position and really can't afford to give above $1 million to a guy who's almost entirely a special teams contributor. Battle will catch on again somewhere, but the Steelers have no roster space for extra receivers.

Daniel Sepulveda

Jeremy Kapinos was impressive for two straight years after replacing Sepulveda following knee injuries. That seems to be a good sign that Kapinos will replace Sepulveda full-time in 2012. Sepulveda will be coming off of a major injury for the third time in the last four years.

While he is supremely talented, Sepulveda has shown little ability to stay healthy during his career. The team cannot keep scrambling for a replacement each season. A huge part of the team's success on defense is based on the punter's ability to pin back a team in their own territory or at least the ability to kick the team out of trouble.

It's time to move on.

Rashard Mendenhall

This one is iffy. Mendenhall has been a workhorse during his time in Pittsburgh, but he suffered an ACL injury in the regular season finale, and there is at least some sentiment that Isaac Redman would be a better starter for the team.

The Steelers have a lot of potentially interesting backs on the roster as well. Mendenhall is in the final year of his contract, so the team could try to flip him in a trade before the season begins (if he's recovered), or cut him and use the roster spot for someone new.

The belief is that the Steelers might recommit to running the ball. If so, they could try to get a speed back to compliment Redman.

Willie Colon

Two major injuries at the beginning of two consecutive seasons is not a good sign for a player who just finished his sixth season. The emergence of Marcus Gilbert in his spot also goes against him. Having a contract that now looks like a bit of an albatross, however, could be the breaking point.

The Steelers need to free up money. Colon has a higher number than his actual worth, particularly with all the injuries. The Steelers would be wise to look for a younger, cheaper alternative that can start while Gilbert moves to the left side.

Keeping Colon is only feasible if he's not getting starter money and if the team can cut him if he doesn't look ready in camp. Otherwise, any deal is a bad one.

Jonathan Scott

Scott flopped badly in place of Max Starks at the beginning of the season. He nearly got Ben Roethlisberger killed, and at some points, didn't even seem very interested in engaging rushers. He's certainly not a starter and is likely a middling backup at best.

The fact that the team needs to clear cap space just exacerbates the situation. Scott doesn't figure to be in the team's plans. He also has a very high cap number, particularly for a guy who's barely a backup.

The Steelers need to overhaul the offensive line some more this year. They can get a good start by dumping their weakest link.

Chris Kemoeatu

Kemoeatu is the poster child for unrealized potential. He has long been anchoring the left guard spot, but he has never lived up to the talent he had coming out of college. He's famous for making mental mistakes and playing with an uncontrollable mean streak.

He has been mediocre at best as a blocker, and he no longer seems to fit with the team's future plans, as guys like Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster have showed more promise.

He's making a lot of money as well. Like Jonathan Scott, he's a piece that the Steelers can do without.

Casey Hampton

This is where it starts to get painful. Hampton is one of the longest tenured players on the team's roster. He's been a stalwart on the defensive line for over a decade now. He's just beginning to show signs of slowing down.

The problem for the Steelers is that Hampton is slowing down. There were some noticeable holes in his game last season, and he was injured in the final game.

The time has come to put a successor on the roster, and possibly right into the lineup. Hampton may survive the team's cap purge (although he also may not), but he could end up on the outside looking in when it comes to the regular season.

Larry Foote

Foote has been another stalwart throughout his career, but the Steelers need to get younger on defense, and they can't afford to pay backups starter money with the cap situation they're in. That puts Foote in a bad spot.

Foote still has a lot of value as a backup, but he may have to go elsewhere. The Steelers have guys like Chris Carter and Stevenson Sylvester to play the back-up role, and both of those guys are still young.

Like Hampton, this could go either way. He could restructure and return, or he could be let go. If he gets let go, I feel like it's probably going to be more about age than money.