For the final time of the preseason, my Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 roster predictions. This roster works under the assumption with Martavis Bryant on the suspended list and Maurkice Pouncey on the IR/To Return list.
Read ’em and weep.
Offense (23)
Quarterback (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, Landry Jones
Analysis (No Change): No changes, no surprises.
Running Back (3): DeAngelo Williams, Josh Harris, Dri Archer
Analysis (No Change): There’s a slim chance the team goes outside the organization to find a #2, but with that player only needed for two weeks and then probably jettisoned off the 53, it seems unlikely.
Fullback (1): Will Johnson
Analysis (No Change): No way Johnson is kicked off this roster.
Tight End (3): Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Jesse James
Analysis (No Change): Expect all three to be active each week during the regular season.
Wide Receiver (5): Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates, Tyler Murphy
Analysis (No Change): Could still call that fifth spot open. Two Boston College rookies vying for one spot – Murphy and Shakim Phillips. Murphy is the more versatile player and has made fewer mistakes.
Offensive Tackle (3): Kelvin Beachum, Marcus Gilbert, Alejandro Villanueva
Analysis (One Change): Obviously taking Mike Adams off the roster as he officially moves to reserve/PUP. None of the other remaining tackles have a chance to crack the 53, though the team may look at the waiver wire to bring in another body. I struggled to find a name though.
Offensive Guard/Center (5): Ramon Foster, David DeCastro, Cody Wallace, Doug Legursky, Wesley Johnson
Analysis (No Change): Still throwing out my speculation of Johnson. If they don’t bring an outsider in, I would have put B.J. Finney on here over Chris Hubbard.
Defense (27)
Defensive End (4): Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Cam Thomas, L.T. Walton
Analysis (No Change): Walton continues to pull away from Ethan Hemer.
Nose Tackle (2): Steve McLendon, Daniel McCullers
Analysis (No Change): Unchanged, as it has been throughout the whole process.
Outside Linebacker (5): James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo
Analysis (No Change): Chickillo is a must-keep in my mind.
Inside Linebacker (5): Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Sean Spence, Terence Garvin
Analysis (No Change): All locks since day one.
Cornerback (6): William Gay, Cortez Allen, Antwon Blake, Brandon Boykin, Doran Grant, B.W. Webb
Analysis (No Change): Continue to believe Webb will be kept over Kevin Fogg. Webb and Grant will fight each week for the last hat on gameday.
Safety (5): Mike Mitchell, Shamarko Thomas, Will Allen, Robert Golden, Ross Ventrone
Analysis (One Change): Tried to be creative with one of the last spots but Ventrone was the only name I kept circling back to. Currently, and this is why I was tempted to leave him off, Ventrone is one of my inactives on gameday. Someone has to be, of course, but it seems counter-intuitive to keep the veteran and then make him a weekly inactive. But any injury would likely get him a hat.
Specialists (3)
Punter (1): Jordan Berry
Analysis (One Change): Going back to my pre-camp prediction. There will be growing pains but Berry has earned it. His hangtimes are consistently better and he’s shown a strong leg.
Kicker (1): Josh Scobee
Analysis (One Change): Ideally, the last time there needs to be a change.
Long Snapper (1): Greg Warren
Analysis: Warren back for another year.
Reserve/Suspended (2): Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant
Reserve/PUP (1): Mike Adams
IR/To Return (1): Maurkice Pouncey
Practice Squad (10): Jawon Chisholm, Roosevelt Nix, Shakim Phillips, B.J. Finney, Mitchell Van Dyk, Ethan Hemer, Shayon Green, L.J. Fort, Kevin Fogg, Alden Darby
Analysis (Four Changes): Fairly new mix of players here. Nix joins to act as the fullback in practice when Miller and Spaeth get days off, something that figures to be routine during the regular season, allowing Will Johnson to see more work at tight end. Green made it through the first wave and had a nice day against the Buffalo Bills. I think he gets the nod over Howard Jones, who I haven’t been a fan of in camp. Fort has made several impact plays while Darby deserves the spot at safety.
