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Breaking: Pittsburgh Steelers Announce 53-Man Roster for 2021

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially released their 53-man roster. Below is the full roster with analysis to go along with each unit:



Offense​


QB (3) Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins

Analysis
– No surprise here. This was set in stone for many months.

RB/FB (5) Najee Harris, Anthony McFarland Jr., Kalen Ballage, Benny Snell Jr., and FB Derek Watt

Analysis
– Snell Jr. finds his way onto the roster despite a very lackluster preseason. It is going to be interesting to see who gets the second most touches this season behind Harris. It truly is a toss up.

WR (5) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud

Analysis
– After the release of Rico Bussey and Anthony Johnson, this was a relatively easy group to predict heading into week one. Expect to see Bussey on the practice squad.

TE (3) Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth and Zach Gentry

Analysis
– Gentry beats out Kevin Rader for the #3 TE spot. It was clear going in that Ebron and Freiermuth would be the top two guys.

OT (4) Chuks Okorafor, Zach Banner, Dan Moore Jr, and Joe Haeg

Analysis
– As far as who is starting in this group? Who knows? Moore Jr. played great in the preseason, Banner has been limited and Okorafor and Haeg also could make a running at a starting job. The whole offensive line will be shaped within the first couple weeks, but it should be very interesting to see what the Steelers do here to protect Roethlisberger.

G (2) Kevin Dotson, Trai Turner,

Analysis
– No BJ Finney or Rashaad Coward here. Only carrying two guards as of now.

C (2) Kendrick Green and J.C. Hassenaur

Analysis – No surprise here. It will be interesting to see how this positional better goes through the regular season.






Defense​


DL (8) Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Carlos Davis, Henry Mondeaux, Isaiah Buggs and Isaiahh Loudermilk

Analysis
– EIGHT. Eight defensive line make the original 53-man. This probably is in part due to Tuitt’s uncertainty. What depth the Steelers have here/

ILB (6) Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen, Ulysees Gilbert III and Buddy Johnson

Analysis
– All six ILBs hang on. A bit of a surprise here as I expected Gilbert to me knocked off the roster.

OLB (4) T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Melvin Ingram, and Jamir Jones

Analysis
– The Steelers end up going with Jones over Cassius Marsh. Jones’ special teams play and numerous reps in the preseason get him on the roster

CB (4) Joe Haden, Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Justin Layne,

Analysis
– I am personally a bit worried about this group. Let’s hope the front seven brings tons of pressure this year once again because I am not particularly confident in anyone after Haden or Sutton (cautiously optimistic about Pierre).

S (4) Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew and Tre Norwood

Analysis
– This unit is LIGHT. This may not be set in stone and both Killebrew and Norwood could be gone if and when the Steelers make additions in the next week or so.






Special Teams​


K (1) Chris Boswell

Analysis
– No surprise here. Boswell is the guy.

P (1) Pressley Harvin III

Analysis – I wrote an article not too along ago about the changing of the guard at punter and Harvin III just barely beats out Jordan Berry for the starting job.

LS (1) Christian Kuntz

Analysis
– Another well-fought battle as Kuntz outplays veteran Kameron Canaday. With a new holder in Harvin, the hope is that these two can gel together early and cause mistake-free snaps for Boswell.



Any surprises? Click to comment your thoughts on the final roster below!

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So Zeppo Watt is still here, huh?
 
Chuks made the cut…
 
Some very weird choices… there are only 2 guards… and a total of 8 olinemen… but 8 dlinemen and 6ilbs… they went shallow at to many spots… they better be adding some guys
 
Some very weird choices… there are only 2 guards… and a total of 8 olinemen… but 8 dlinemen and 6ilbs… they went shallow at to many spots… they better be adding some guys
Also looks like 1 too many RBs to me, but I wouldn't be surprised if they traded one for one of the other shallow positions we have
 
Practice squad is going to be important here… its going to be ponded at some shallow positions
With being able to add vets it really helps solidify need areas.
 
OL: A bit surprised they went thin here, simply for depth. Finney reportedly wasn't very good and Coward was a stretch to make the roster when they signed him. I assumed being the best of a bad group of depth players would've been enough. I'd guess the Steelers will look to fill the void with a free agent.

DL: The extra depth has to be because of Tuitt. Few snaps but a greater rotation with the backups.

ILB: Really surprised Gilbert make it. Doesn't show any of that athleticism he demonstrated as a rookie.

For the first 53-man roster, I can't say there were any truly surprising cuts. The depth just isn't there on this particular team and it was tough to find 53 guys worth keeping.
 
Haeg is like the 3rd G , only 4 CBs is scary and maybe they are bringing a cut player? Same goes for S, there must be better depth available than killebrew and Norwood, at least the last one is a rookie
 
Slam on the brakes here guys. This by no means is the final 53 to start the season. Expect at least 2 DBs added, two more OL and probably another LB. UGIII, and the two back up safeties should get comfortable yet.
 
Maybe they're considering Norwood to be the backup nickel?

Not sure the last time they've kept 8 DL, probably not since they switched to the 3-4 decades ago.

The uncertainty about Tuitt's mindset and availability is no doubt a factor, but Loudermilk was making the team regardless if he's ready to play or not.

There's no way they were cutting Loudermilk after just investing two mid-round draft picks in him.

Coward being released surprises me a bit, given how Tomlin could not stop praising him just a few weeks ago while he was playing is motivational mind games with Dotson.

It must have all been deception.
 
Given they kept six ILBs, I would have rather seen the Steelers keep five and keep Roche on the roster. You can never have enough pass rushers and it can be tough to sneak them on the practice squad.
 
Sure do not see the use for Snell or Watt. When was the last time we actually saw a FB block someone and Snell what are new offense needs a back on third and short to run wide and then back track for a lose. We need DB's not these two
 
Given they kept six ILBs, I would have rather seen the Steelers keep five and keep Roche on the roster. You can never have enough pass rushers and it can be tough to sneak them on the practice squad.
Exactly, Gilbert over Roche is very strange indeed.
 
I thought Samuels would’ve had a spot over Snell. He’s more versatile on offense, better rat pass protection and receiver out of the back field. Then again, it’s like trying to figure out picking a Chevette over a Pinto
Jaysam you can fill his skillset with Harris and Ball-age.
 
Any word on Marcus Allen's injury? Maybe that's why they kept an extra ILB.
He is one of the three that could find themselves on IR depending on severity of injury.
 
4 corners? You put three out there most times. That and guard. I'm sure Hassaneur can play guard centre but if you lose either you are very thin. I call this list a work in progress. It's gonna change for sure before Buff. No way they go into that game like this.
 
Coward being released surprises me a bit, given how Tomlin could not stop praising him just a few weeks ago while he was playing is motivational mind games with Dotson.

It must have all been deception.
This another reason why - just my opinion mind you - Tomlin is way overrated. ******* with young men by playing mind games is perhaps the least effective motivation for an athlete, nevermind generation ME.

<boss-move: Dotson comes out and makes a statement to the media about his contract situation>
 
I thought Samuels would’ve had a spot over Snell. He’s more versatile on offense, better rat pass protection and receiver out of the back field. Then again, it’s like trying to figure out picking a Chevette over a Pinto
Neither one ever does ****...They BOTH get stuffed
 
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