Projected Pittsburgh Steelers' Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training Camp Edition

Andrea HangstJul 14, 2015

The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have to whittle their roster down to 53 players until just before the start of the regular season. And training camp and the team's five preseason games will do much to determine who makes the final roster.

But now, just under two weeks away from the start of camp, let's take a look at who might make up that final roster. Here are early projections for the Steelers' 53-man roster by position group.

Quarterback

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski, Tajh Boyd

Obviously, Ben Roethlisberger tops the list of Steelers quarterbacks, and it doesn't seem like any of the younger backups will unseat Bruce Gradkowski from the No. 2 spot. The only change here is that Tajh Boyd replaces Landry Jones as the Steelers' third-string quarterback.

Meanwhile, "slash" quarterback-wide receivers Tyler Murphy and Devin Gardner are promising young players, but they need polish. One of the two will spend the year on the practice squad.

Wide Receiver

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Dri Archer (WR/RB)

There are few surprises when it comes to the Steelers' wide receivers to make the 53-man roster. Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton will be the team's primary trio of wideouts, with the rookie Coates making a few appearances early in the year before being worked in more often in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Darrius Heyward-Bey makes it as not just a reserve receiver, but also a major part of the Steelers' special teams unit, and Dri Archer rounds out the group as a hybrid receiver-running back, though he'll get most of his 2015 work as a kick returner.

Running Back

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Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

In: Le'Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, Josh Harris, Dri Archer

Le'Veon Bell will again be the Steelers' No. 1 running back, with veteran DeAngelo Williams backing him up—and also serving as starter for the first three games of the season while Bell is suspended.

Josh Harris manages to wrest away the No. 3 spot from undrafted rookies Ross Scheuerman and Cameron Stingily, and Dri Archer makes a return appearance as a receiver and running back—but, of course, he doesn't count twice against the Steelers' 53-man roster.

Tight End

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Jesse James

The Steelers will have to sacrifice fullback/H-back Will Johnson, a longstanding fixture on the roster, because of the need to work tight end Jesse James into the offense. Though Heath Miller will remain the team's No. 1 tight end and Matt Spaeth will handle a significant number of the Steelers' blocking tight end snaps, James needs to get on-field experience if he's really the heir apparent to Miller.

Offensive Line

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Don Wright/Associated Press

In: Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert, Kelvin Beachum, B.J. Finney, Reese Dismukes, Mike Adams

All of the Steelers' starting offensive linemen from 2014 are in no danger of losing a roster spot, let alone their standing on the depth chart this year.

But there will be new faces in reserve—rookies B.J. Finney and Reese Dismukes will replace backups Chris Hubbard and Cody Wallace, mainly because their positional versatility combined with their youth makes them more valuable both immediately and in the long term. But the Steelers must have an experienced backup on the roster, which is why Mike Adams remains.

Defensive Line

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: Cameron Heyward, Steve McLendon, Stephon Tuitt, Daniel McCullers, Clifton Geathers, Joe Kruger

The Steelers don't have a rotational defensive line like their AFC North counterparts, so that means they can keep fewer defensive linemen on the 53-man roster and then keep one or two in reserve on the practice squad in case of an injury rash. Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt will hold down the two defensive end spots, while a healthy Steve McLendon will return to the nose tackle spot.

Backing up McLendon will be Daniel McCullers, and backing up the ends will be Clifton Geathers and Joe Kruger, the latter replacing Cam Thomas on the 53-man roster assuming he has strong showings in training camp and the preseason.

Linebacker

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: James Harrison, Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats, Lawrence Timmons, Sean Spence, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Howard Jones

At outside linebacker, the Steelers will use four men to fill two spots—James Harrison, Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones and Arthur Moats. The only change is that 2014 preseason standout Howard Jones will manage to outperform Terence Garvin on both defense and special teams, earning him a spot on the roster.

At inside linebacker, the Steelers will rely primarily on Lawrence Timmons and 2014 Round 1 draft pick Ryan Shazier, with Sean Spence and Vince Williams serving as backups.

Safety

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Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

In: Shamarko Thomas, Mike Mitchell, Will Allen, Robert Golden, Ross Ventrone, Alden Darby

The Steelers' starting safeties for 2015 will be Shamarko Thomas and Mike Mitchell, with veteran Will Allen serving as backup for either one. Robert Golden will also serve as a backup safety as well as play special teams.

Meanwhile, Ross Ventrone will remain on the roster to primarily suit up on special teams, and Alden Darby rounds out the position group as a special teamer with a high ceiling as a backup safety. That spot could otherwise belong to rookie Gerod Holliman if the Steelers feel that he could be prey for poachers if left on the practice squad.

Cornerback

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Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

In: Cortez Allen, Antwon Blake, William Gay, Senquez Golson, Doran Grant, Kevin Fogg

The Steelers had issues at cornerback last season, and this year, they will try to minimize their effects should they recur. Cortez Allen, Antwon Blake and William Gay should be their trio of starters to open the season, but rookies Senquez Golson and Doran Grant will be there to step in at a moment's notice. The position is rounded out by Kevin Fogg, who could emerge from the unknown this year the same way Blake did in 2014.

Special Teams

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Don Wright/Associated Press

In: Shaun Suisham, Jordan Berry, Greg Warren

With no in-camp competition, kicker Shaun Suisham and long snapper Greg Warren are locks to make the 53-man roster. But there will be a punting battle going on this summer between Jordan Berry and incumbent Brad Wing. In this scenario, Berry wins and Wing is sent out.