Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have four preseason games behind them and the first round of cuts have been made, it’s time for another 53 man roster prediction. Due to more injuries, my latest roster prediction includes several changes and the same goes for my projected practice squad.
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on my selections in the comments below in addition to adding your own 53-man prediction.
In case you missed any of them, below are links to my previous roster predictions.
2015 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Post Third Preseason Game
2015 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Post Second Preseason Game
2015 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Post First Preseason Game
2015 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Pre-Training Camp Edition
2015 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Post Draft
Offense (24)
Quarterbacks (3) – Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, Landry Jones
Analysis: (No Changes) Nothing new to see here, keep moving along.
Running Backs (3*) – DeAngelo Williams, Dri Archer, Josh Harris
Analysis: (No Changes) I sure would like to see Harris play well in the preseason finale as he stuck out in a bad way in his first game back last Saturday. Nobody is pushing him, however, so the team would have to add an outsider if they decide he can’t carry be the one to serve as the backup to start the season.
Fullbacks (1) – Will Johnson
Analysis: (No Changes) Johnson is as consistent as they come. He’s not a Pro Bowler, but he certainly is adequate for the small role he plays.
Wide Receivers (5) – Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates, Tyler Murphy
Analysis: (No Changes) Would the Steelers only carry four wide receivers on their 53? I kind of doubt it. If Murphy isn’t the fifth to start the season, the team will need to find that player on the waiver wire. That player, however, would likely need to be a contributor on special teams.
Tight Ends (3) – Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Jesse James
Analysis: (No Changes) James just doesn’t have anyone pushing him as two of the other tight ends were waived injured on Monday. He will get a lot of playing time Thursday night.
Offensive Linemen (9) – Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert, Kelvin Beachum, Cody Wallace, B.J. Finney, Alejandro Villanueva, Doug Legursky
Analysis: (One Change) I finally have had it with Chris Hubbard. He looks like he’s even regressed some from last preseason. Why not keep Finney, who had a better preseason and can play two positions? He would be inactive at the start of the season anyway. Pouncey, of course, will be placed on injured reserve the first Tuesday after the final cuts are made.
Defense (26)
Defensive Linemen (6) – Steve McLendon, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Daniel McCullers, Cam Thomas, L.T. Walton
Analysis: (No Changes) You have to wonder about Tuitt’s ankle injury right now and whether or not he’ll be ready for the opener. The team likes to keep only six defensive linemen but I could see a seventh being kept at the start of the season for health reasons. We will go with six again for now.
Inside Linebackers (5) – Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Sean Spence, Terence Garvin
Analysis: (No Changes) Timmons is still down with his turf toe and it dioesnt look as though he’ll play any Thursday night. They were going to keep five regardless.
Outside Linebackers (4) – Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats, James Harrison, Bud Dupree
Analysis: (No Changes) I still have a special teamer making the roster over Anthony Chickillo. I have one more week to decide for sure, but once again, 10 linebackers is a luxury and I bet Mike Munchak will also be fighting for ninth offensive linemen as well.
Cornerbacks (6) – Cortez Allen, William Gay, Antwon Blake, Brandon Boykin, Doran Grant, B.W. Webb
Analysis: (No Changes) If the Steelers keep six in total, I really think Webb will win out over Kevin Fogg. Remember Fogg was without a job for most of 2014 until the Steelers signed him to their practice squad in December.
Safeties (5) – Mike Mitchell, Shamarko Thomas, Will Allen, Robert Golden, Ross Ventrone
Analysis: (No Changes) Still have Ventrone as the 53rd man on the roster because of the value he brings on special teams.
Specialists (3)
Kicker (1) – Josh Scobee
Analysis: (One Change) Stay healthy, my friend.
Punter (1) – Jordan Berry
Analysis: (One Change) Ok, I drank the Berry Kool-aid this week. I sure wish Mike Tomlin would have made his decision on Monday.
Long Snapper (1) – Greg Warren
Analysis: (No Changes) Warren will be the long snapper once again.
Reserve/Suspended (2) – Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant
Analysis: (One Change) Added Bryant to this list based on Thursday’s news.
Reserve/Injured (9) – Shaun Suisham, Clifton Geathers, Eli Rogers, Jordan Zumwalt, Rob Blanchflower, Bruce Gradkowski, David Nelson, Micah Hatchie, Garrett Hartley, Senquez Golson
Analysis: (Two Changes) Added Hartley and Golson.
Reserve/PUP (1) – Mike Adams
Analysis: (One Change) Set in stone now as Golson was placed on IR and Adams on PUP.
Practice Squad (10) – (Two Changes) Anthony Chickillo, Shakim Phillips, Ethan Hemer, Gerod Holliman, Jawon Chisolm, Roosevelt Nix, Kevin Fogg, Mitchell Van Dyk, Miles Dieffenbach, C.J. Uzomah
Analysis: (Several Changes) – They might need to scan the waiver wire for a tight end to add and I have no idea as to who that might be. Maybe Uzomah will be cut.
Post Final Roster Cut-down Transaction – Sign Wesley Johnson, place Pouncey on Reserve Injured with designated to return tag.
Analysis: I’m not really sure who will take Pouncey’s place but if it winds up being another offensive lineman, Johnson would make a lot of sense if he’s waived by the New York Jets. I have a feeling that the 53rd spot post the final cut-down will go to a player currently on another team.
