Early Roster Predictions

[madinsomniac]

53 man Roster predictions;

The first number is how many I think they will keep, the second is an option they have kept or likely could keep if I am wrong.

I listed some obvious PS candidates and a few trades they could maybe pursue…



First, Lets tackle the three most surefire positions,

Special teams specialists (3)

K (1) Chris Boswell

P (1) Pressley Harvin 3

LS (1) Christian Kuntz



Secondly Offense, which is by far the most in flux in what we are keeping per position

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2) or potentially (3)

1-Mitch Trabisky

2-Kenny Pickett

PS Chris Oladokun

Traded: Mason Rudolph

I am saying they will move Rudolph simply because the roster spot is better utilized on another quality position like WR

Runningbacks (5) (potentially 4)

Halfbacks (4) or (3)

• Najeh Harris
• Benny Snell
• Jaylen Warren
• Anthony McFarland

-Id trade Snell in a heartbeat, but he is on special teams coverage units so they probably wont. Mcfarland is the backup KR. If they only keep 3 there is a huge possibility they try to practice squad Warren, which will inevitably lead to him being picked up by someone else. If they keep 3 QBs id think this was the position they steal from

Fullback (1)

Derek Watt

Wide Receivers (6) or potentially (5)

• Dionte Johnson
• George Pickens
• Chase Claypool
• Calvin Austin 3
• (PR,KR) Gunner
• Myles Boykin
• PS Tyler Vaughn
• PS Cody White
• PS Tyler Snead
• Traded Steven Sims

-This was always going to be rough, and honestly if Anthony Miller was healthy, he would have a spot.

Im saying they keep six… if they don’t keep 6, then not retaining Myles Boykin saves them 2 million dollars.

As a wr in a bubble, I like sims more than Gunner or Boykin, but Gunner is the best PR they have, also good at KR, and has shown he is capable of playing the slot ok. With the TEs and Chase also in the slot role, that final spot comes down to who is the best outside option, and that is Boykin, who also plays special teams coverage units, while sims is a good returner… something they have in spades this year… The last nail in sims roster coffin is that Tyler Snead looks like a tiny, but viable PS returner/slot guy…

Sims should be valuable enough to pick up a late rounder unless the market is super saturated with slot returners…

Tyler Vaughns and Cody white are both deserving of a roster spot. We will be extremely lucky to PS either… but lets hope for both…



Tight Ends (3)

• Pat Freiermuth
• Zach Gentry
• Conner Heyward (H-back)
• PS Kevin Rader

Total Offensive linemen (9)

C (2)

• Mason Cole
• JC Hassenauer

OG (4)

• James Daniels
• Kevin Dotson
• Kendrick Green
• John Leglue

OT (3)

• Chukwuma Okorafor
• Dan Moore
• Joe Haeg

There is a caveat here. If Trenton Scott proves to be the best viable left tackle option behind Moore, he may well be retained as the 9th olineman over a leglue or Hassenauer, since in their mind KG plays guard and center… I don’t forsee ten being kept





DEFENSE (25)



Total Defensive Linemen (7)

Nose tackles (2)

• Tyson Alualu
• Montravius Adams

DT/DEs (5)

• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Chris Wormley
• Isiah Loudermilk
• Demarvin Leal

Trade Henry Mondeaux

PS Carlos and Khalil Davis

Look, honestly, I trade Wormley. Mondeaux is a pass rush DE. He isn’t going to make it onto the PS in my opinion, but he doesn’t have the name brand to bring back more than say a seventh. Wormley we traded a fifth for. He is a slightly more experienced version who will have more value. With Our depth here, it honestly makes sense to see if he could bring back a worthwhile Olineman or maybe the fifth we paid for him. If not then see what you can get for Mondeaux. The davis brothers are more than capable emergency call ups



Total Linebackers (9)

OLB (4)

• TJ Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Genard Avery
• Derrek Tuszka

PS Delonte Scott

ILB (5)

• Myles Jack
• Robert Spilane
• Devin Bush
• Marcus Allen
• Mark Robinson

PS Buddy Johnson

Yeah again, they wont, But Id trade Bush and gamble with what we have unless a better option becomes easily attainable…. For what Bush costs, Id rather play BJ and hope that athleticism pays off eventually… the worse thing you get is exactly what you are seeing with Bush…

Defensive Backs (9)

S (4)

• Mincah Fitzpatrick
• Terrell Edmunds
• Damontae Kazee
• Tre Norwood

CB (5)

• Ahkello Witherspoon
• Levi Wallace
• Cam Sutton
• James Pierre
• Arthur Mallett

PS Chris Steele

Guys who might make it if they only keep 5 wrs:

Miles Kilebrew,

Justin Layne (for special teams)

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I don’t see them going with 2 QBs since they haven’t given any time or snaps to Oladokun. Mason barring a 3rd round offer is going no where.

I think Hamilcar Rashed is now on the team Avery or Tuszka may be gone. My choice would be Tuszka.

I would look at Layne over Pierre. Pierre looks great in preseason and disappears in the regular season a lot. Layne showed some flashes here and there. I keep him and get some playing time for him based on upside.

Based strictly on numbers I think Mongo may be PS and we only keep 6. On the DL.

WR is hard, I would explore trading Chase for OL or ILB help. We have plenty of guys to replace what he brings. He is an inconsistent luxury we can use to fix something else. With him DJ, Chase, Pickens, Austin, Gunner Boykin/Simms. Without we keep Boykin and Simms.

 

[Sarge]

Wasn't Oladokun just released?

 

[Troglodyte]

With Najee being an every down back, I don’t think they keep more than 3.

 

[TDX27]

Oladokun was released. I guess they are trying to show they are going to roll with Trubisky, Pickett and Rudolph. It could be a move to try to drive up Rudolph's perceived value as we definitely aren't cutting him. I just hope they aren't dumb enough to stick Pickett as QB3 where he doesn't get snaps and grow at all this year. He needs to be QB2 especially the way he's played so far.

 

[madinsomniac]

Wasn't Oladokun just released?

Yeah, but they occasionally release a couple guys this cutdown that they are trying to stash on the PS... people have to remember, practice squad players have two spots now that can be active on game days, so having the 3 qb on the PS isnt like it used to be. He was never making the 53

I don’t see them going with 2 QBs since they haven’t given any time or snaps to Oladokun. Mason barring a 3rd round offer is going no where.

I think Hamilcar Rashed is now on the team Avery or Tuszka may be gone. My choice would be Tuszka.

I would look at Layne over Pierre. Pierre looks great in preseason and disappears in the regular season a lot. Layne showed some flashes here and there. I keep him and get some playing time for him based on upside.

Based strictly on numbers I think Mongo may be PS and we only keep 6. On the DL.

WR is hard, I would explore trading Chase for OL or ILB help. We have plenty of guys to replace what he brings. He is an inconsistent luxury we can use to fix something else. With him DJ, Chase, Pickens, Austin, Gunner Boykin/Simms. Without we keep Boykin and Simms.

I think they will eventually get a 4th round offer on mason after the 49rs cut Jimmy G and he signs somewhere...

My gosh do I hope they Keep Hamilcar, but they tend to favor special teams aces as the 4th olb, and for some reason they want to use Avery as a OLb rather than an ILB despite his forte historically being in coverage and run defense, not pass rushing...

Layne isnt near Pierre in coverage. I dont know how much say Bubles has in the last CB, because without him Layne has no shot at that spot

I had Mongo being traded... I think they probably will cut him hoping to PS him and he ends up being taken by someone else... his pressure numbers are actually good for limited snaps and someone always needs pass rushers...

I just cant see them only keeping 6 DL... Adams is the only true backup at NT and we saw how it looked with a DT playing that role last year, Wormley, if not traded, is too valuable to just cut. Neither Loudermilk not Leal will be cut... its just overstuffed.

I dont see them trading Claypool at all... its a trendy plan because his contract is coming due, but the reality is his inside outside versatility plus size/speed combo is too valuable. CA 3 and Gunner arent outside guys, and if they keep Boykin, that only leaves one backup who plays outside... unless they are totally convinced that Vaughn or White are really good enough. I mean if your last four wrs are Boykin, Sims, Gunner and Ca3, you have three small slot types and one actual outside option for two different starting spots....

I mean that guy in Chicago is just going to be too pricey for what he is... he isnt the best ILB but pretty much wants paid like it... getting him gives us zero cap flexibility to fix the Oline... its not as good a move as you may think... you can't get all the stars... They have some young ILbs that can play and learn and spillane isnt terrible... there is too much money tied up in the D as it is...

 

[TDX27]

Special teams guys are good but it seems like (could just be perception) we keep too many guys just for ST play. Guys need to be able to play a real position with ST's being their secondary position. Our special teams typically isn't very good anyway so why bother?

 

[Litos]

Special teams guys are good but it seems like (could just be perception) we keep too many guys just for ST play. Guys need to be able to play a real position with ST's being their secondary position. Our special teams typically isn't very good anyway so why bother?

Coverage last season was elite iirc. Plus 2 blocked punts

 

[BLITZ]

Avery got released today also. I thought he played fairly well against Jags

 

[TDX27]

Coverage last season was elite iirc. Plus 2 blocked punts

Coverage elite? Maybe if they let Boz kick into the endzone otherwise teams get past our 30 regularly and our return game definitely wasn't elite.

 

[Litos]

Coverage elite? Maybe if they let Boz kick into the endzone otherwise teams get past our 30 regularly and our return game definitely wasn't elite.

Maybe I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but I don't remember big returns in fg and punt coverage

 

[FordFairLane]

Special teams specialists (3)

K (1) Chris Boswell

P (1) Pressley Harvin 3

LS (1) Christian Kuntz


Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

• Mitch Trubisky
• Kenny Pickett
• Mason Rudolph

I feel he makes the 53 man and is used as insurance if Mitch or Kenny get hurt or fail. But before the trade deadline is likely traded. Might even just be a week or two if an injury occurs on another team.

• Chris Oladokun (PS)

Runningbacks (4)

Runningbacks

• Najeh Harris
• Benny Snell
• Jaylen Warren

Fullback (1)

• Derek Watt

Wide Receivers (6)

• Dionte Johnson
• George Pickens
• Chase Claypool
• Calvin Austin III
• (PR,KR) Gunner
• Tyler Vaughn
• PS Tyler Snead

Tight Ends (3)

• Pat Freiermuth
• Zach Gentry
• Connor Heyward
• PS Kevin Rader

Total Offensive linemen (9)

C (2)

• Mason Cole
• JC Hassenauer

OG (4)

• James Daniels
• Kevin Dotson
• Kendrick Green
• John Leglue

OT (3)

• Chukwuma Okorafor
• Dan Moore
• Joe Haeg

This group in my opinion changes via trade or at least someone off the scrapheap come cut time for the 53 man.



DEFENSE (25)



Total Defensive Linemen (7)

Nose tackles (2)

• Tyson Alualu
• Montravius Adams

DT/DEs (5)

• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Chris Wormley
• Isiah Loudermilk
• Demarvin Leal

Total Linebackers (8)

OLB (4)

• TJ Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Derrek Tuszka
• Hamilcar Rashed Jr.

ILB (4)

• Myles Jack
• Robert Spilane
• Devin Bush
• Mark Robinson
• Buddy Johnson (PS)

Defensive Backs (10)

S (4)

• Mincah Fitzpatrick
• Terrell Edmunds
• Damontae Kazee
• Tre Norwood

CB (5)

• Ahkello Witherspoon
• Levi Wallace
• Cam Sutton
• James Pierre
• Arthur Mallett
• Justin Layne

I think Layne is likely cut the second a better prospect at OL or Edge gets cut by another team.

 

[madinsomniac]

They cut Avery today. That pleases me. Not trying to be a jerk, Avery is by all accounts a good dude and a player that can play at the nfl level, but I can’t see us utilizing an OLB that is a pure runstopping coverage guy… this means SIL prediction of Hamilcar is closer to being reality now, that or Scott, who definitely has upside…

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Maybe I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but I don't remember big returns in fg and punt coverage

They were very good much of the season on coverage pinning them inside the 20 often on kickoffs that were returned, but when they were bad it stood out. The good ones barely register but the bad ones are hard to forget.

 

[FordFairLane]

They cut Avery today. That pleases me. Not trying to be a jerk, Avery is by all accounts a good dude and a player that can play at the nfl level, but I can’t see us utilizing an OLB that is a pure runstopping coverage guy… this means SIL prediction of Hamilcar is closer to being reality now, that or Scott, who definitely has upside…

I was a bit shocked. Maybe he got banged up or something. But vs the Jagoffs he was our best pass rusher once Watt left the field. Of course they let Quincy Roche walk last year

 

[madinsomniac]

I was a bit shocked. Maybe he got banged up or something. But vs the Jagoffs he was our best pass rusher once Watt left the field. Of course they let Quincy Roche walk last year

Traditionally he isn’t much of a pass rusher though, despite spending time at DE Olb, and Ilb in 53 games in his career… he only has 7.5 sacks in 53 games… 4.5 came his rookie season… teams figured out he only has the one move, I guess… last season he started 12 games and had 1 sack…

He was a coverage and runstopper on the edge a lot… usually coaches love those guys… I was worried he was going to push a guy who might be better in the long run off the roster ..

 

[madinsomniac]

Lots of speculation that Roche is getting cut by the new regime in New York…at worse we should be trying to get him signed to tge practice squad, if not outright on the roster here…

 

[SteelerFan448]

Lots of speculation that Roche is getting cut by the new regime in New York…at worse we should be trying to get him signed to tge practice squad, if not outright on the roster here…

He knows the system and flashed. I don't think Roche is the answer but worth giving a shot for depth because the Steelers have nothing.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Special teams specialists (3)

K (1) Chris Boswell

P (1) Pressley Harvin 3

LS (1) Christian Kuntz


Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

• Mitch Trubisky
• Kenny Pickett
• Mason Rudolph

I feel he makes the 53 man and is used as insurance if Mitch or Kenny get hurt or fail. But before the trade deadline is likely traded. Might even just be a week or two if an injury occurs on another team.

• Chris Oladokun (PS)

Runningbacks (4)

Runningbacks

• Najeh Harris
• Benny Snell
• Jaylen Warren

Fullback (1)

• Derek Watt

Wide Receivers (6)

• Dionte Johnson
• George Pickens
• Chase Claypool
• Calvin Austin III
• (PR,KR) Gunner
• Tyler Vaughn
• PS Tyler Snead

Tight Ends (3)

• Pat Freiermuth
• Zach Gentry
• Connor Heyward
• PS Kevin Rader

Total Offensive linemen (9)

C (2)

• Mason Cole
• JC Hassenauer

OG (4)

• James Daniels
• Kevin Dotson
• Kendrick Green
• John Leglue

OT (3)

• Chukwuma Okorafor
• Dan Moore
• Joe Haeg

This group in my opinion changes via trade or at least someone off the scrapheap come cut time for the 53 man.



DEFENSE (25)



Total Defensive Linemen (7)

Nose tackles (2)

• Tyson Alualu
• Montravius Adams

DT/DEs (5)

• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Chris Wormley
• Isiah Loudermilk
• Demarvin Leal

Total Linebackers (8)

OLB (4)

• TJ Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Derrek Tuszka
• Hamilcar Rashed Jr.

ILB (4)

• Myles Jack
• Robert Spilane
• Devin Bush
• Mark Robinson
• Buddy Johnson (PS)

Defensive Backs (10)

S (4)

• Mincah Fitzpatrick
• Terrell Edmunds
• Damontae Kazee
• Tre Norwood

CB (5)

• Ahkello Witherspoon
• Levi Wallace
• Cam Sutton
• James Pierre
• Arthur Mallett
• Justin Layne

I think Layne is likely cut the second a better prospect at OL or Edge gets cut by another team.

That is the 53 I’m expecting-nice

I could see Boykin or Sims making it and Vaughn to PS-definitely prefer Vaughn tho, feel like he earned it.

If we keep do indeed keep
Layne I think it helps clear room for Vaughn or maybe Sims to be that 6th WR and send Boykin packing as the odd man out ($2M for a ST seems pricey)

Would be awesome to upgrade OL or ILB post cuts if we can find that scrap heap gem.

Could see McFarland making it at someone’s expense, hope it’s not in favor of Warren.

 

[FordFairLane]

That is the 53 I’m expecting-nice

I could see Boykin or Sims making it and Vaughn to PS-definitely prefer Vaughn tho, feel like he earned it.

If we keep do indeed keep
Layne I think it helps clear room for Vaughn or maybe Sims to be that 6th WR and send Boykin packing as the odd man out ($2M for a ST seems pricey)

Would be awesome to upgrade OL or ILB post cuts if we can find that scrap heap gem.

Could see McFarland making it at someone’s expense, hope it’s not in favor of Warren.

Yeah, Vaughn has earned it imo. I don’t want to risk letting him hit the ps because I think he might get scooped up. I think he’s earned a roster spot.

Layne I feel makes mostly because of his draft status. Maybe Khan can move on from a draft pick better than Colbert. But I feel his time might be short if a player that can immediately help gets cut.

Yeah, I don’t think we need more than 3 running backs. We can throw one on the PS to pull up if an injury occurs. Najee doesn’t leave too many carries for the rest so why waste a spot for a guy who never going to play.

 

[steelhurt]

Got to keep Simms at WR and cut Boykin who the Ravens who are WR starved didn’t want him. He’s just a guy. Keep Simms.

 

[madinsomniac]

Got to keep Simms at WR and cut Boykin who the Ravens who are WR starved didn’t want him. He’s just a guy. Keep Simms.

A.) the Ravens couldn’t tell a good WR from a bad one to save their lives…
B.) with a RB at QB, how the **** would anyone know how good or bad Boykin is?

 

[madinsomniac]

Im all for giving Vaughn a shot, but like ive said before they will prioritize special teams… and Boykin plays coverage and plays outside, and we need a spare backup there… I don’t know how vaughn looks at special teams… i like him and cody white a lot.. i just don’t think they will keep either despite Boykin being pricey

 

[madinsomniac]

Im just being realistic… its also going to suck when boykin and gunner get hats on gameday over CA3…

 

[Fiji Mariner]

My main issue with Boykin, other than the lofty price tag, is how many guys do you keep on a roster for special teams at the expense of players that actually can help in other facets?

He also seems to be good, bad, good, bad…
Would hate to risk losing a Vaughns so that bad Boykin is called to duty

I’d tell Danny you don’t get to litter the entire depth of the roster with Boykin, Snell, Layne, etc
Coach up the guys to play STs that can actually play offense or defense so we can create some legitimate depth

But I’d also tell the OL scouts to stop focusing on tweeners and just give me a list of 5 guys that can actually play tackle and 5 guys that can play guard and 5 guys that can play center and then I’d draft 1-2 of those guys every damn year and actually have an OL…so wth do I know…I’m just an old school idiot that still prioritizes things like blocking and tackling.