Bryan: 2019 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Post Preseason Game 2 Edition

With the team’s second preseason game of 2019 now in the books, it’s time once again for me to post another 2019 53-man roster prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As usual, I have included some analysis underneath each position group and I invite you to post your own differences in the comments below along with your own 53-man roster prediction.

My next stab at the Steelers 53-man roster will be posted after the team’s third preseason game, which wuill take place a week from today against the Tennessee Titans.

My previous versions are linked below:

Bryan: 2019 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Post Draft Edition

Bryan: 2019 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Bryan: 2019 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Post Preseason Game 1 Edition

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (3) – Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Joshua Dobbs

Analysis: Obviously no changes with this group of three but I must admit that Devlin Hodges has my full attention with two preseason games now remaining. Will Hodges get any playing time in the third preseason game? If he doesn’t, will he ultimately be given at least a half in the preseason finale to show one last time that he should be kept instead of Dobbs? We’ll have to wait and see.

Running Backs (3) – James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr., Trey Edmunds

Analysis: One change in this group this week so I won’t submit the same 53 as last week. Don’t think of the inclusion of Edmunds as me keeping a fourth running back, think of it as me choosing between Edmunds and an extra linebacker when it comes to special teams. Heck, Snell might not even dress the first few weeks if Edmunds is on the 53. I’m not married to this but thought I would make at least one change this week.

Fullbacks (1) – Roosevelt Nix

Analysis: Nix is a special teams demon and one of the better fullbacks currently in the NFL. He’s a lock barring an injury.

Wide Receivers (6) – JuJu Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, Eli Rogers, Ryan Switzer

Analysis: Are either Diontae Spencer or Johnny Holton doing enough special teams-wise so far during the preseason to challenge the roster spots of either Switzer or Rogers? To me, Switzer is the most vulnerable of the six wide receivers and with two preseason games remaining I’ll need Spencer or Holton to give me a little more of a reason for me to include them in the six over Switzer. Holton is damn good as a gunner, however and his resume is one I bet special teams coordinator Danny Smith likes. I was ready to make a change this week, but still can’t pull the handle just yet.

Tight Ends (3) – Vance McDonald, Xavier Grimble, Zach Gentry

Analysis: I still have no reason to change anything with this group of free. It was, however, sad to see Gentry and Christian Scotland-Williamson both be forced to miss the second preseason game with an injury. If Gentry isn’t the No. 3, it will likely be a player currently on another team’s roster.

Offensive Linemen (9) – Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Alejandro Villanueva, B.J. Finney, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, Fred Johnson, Zach Banner

Analysis: It really feels like these nine offensive linemen are now set in stone barring any injuries or trades happening. The Steelers like to dress seven for games with two others being inactive. As of right now, Banner and Johnson look like the two inactives.

Defense (24)

Defensive Linemen (6) – Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, Tyson Alualu, Daniel McCullers, Isaiah Buggs

Analysis: Once again, another group that doesn’t need any changes made to it in this prediction. If these six stay healthy, it’s almost certain to be them with Buggs likely being a weekly inactive at the start of the regular season.

Inside Linebackers (4) – Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Devin Bush, Tyler Matakevich

Analysis: We me keeping Edmunds for special teams I had to do so at the expenses of Ulysees Gilbert III, who will now go to my practice squad. Once again, I’m not married to this one change so don’t have a freak out because Gilbert was left off my 53 this time. Gilbert needs to play very well on special teams in these final two preseason games.

Outside Linebackers (4) – Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, Anthony Chickillo, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi

Analysis: Adeniyi is currently recovering from a meniscus tear and it will be interesting to see if he can be ready by the start of the regular season. Even if he’s not, I think he’ll just be a weekly inactive until fully healthy. While Tuzar Skipper has had a nice preseason, he has barely played any special teams snaps in the first two games. In short, he’s likely ticketed for the practice squad as we sit here with two preseason games now in the books.

Cornerbacks (6) –  Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton, Artie Burns, Justin Layne, Cameron Sutton

Analysis: Once again, I see no reason to make any changes when it comes to this position group. Will Layne be active as a gunner to start the season, or will he be inactive and watch Burns handle that job along with another player?

Safeties (4) – Sean Davis, Terrell Edmunds, Kameron Kelly, Jordan Dangerfield

Analysis: At this point it certainly seems like Marcus Allen needs something drastic to happen for him to make the Steelers 53-man roster. In short, he might be slated to go to the practice squad if he can’t beat out Dangerfield, a known special teams commodity.

Specialists (3)

Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell

Analysis: It’s either going to be Boswell or a kicker currently on another NFL team. I will go with Boswell again.

Punter (1) – Jordan Berry

Analysis: Ian Berryman seems mighty inconsistent so far during the preseason. I’m staying with Berry again.

Long Snapper (1) – Kameron Canaday

Analysis: Canaday is it!

Practice Squad (11)

Derwin Gray, Johnny Holton, Patrick Morris, Christian Scotland-Williamson, Henry Mondeaux, Brian Allen, Marcus Allen, Tuzar Skipper, Ulysees Gilbert III, Tevin Jones, Sutton Smith

SUMMARY: Just one change this time and it’s me keeping running back Trey Edmunds over inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III for special teams purposes.