Bryan: 2019 Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Post Preseason Game 3 Edition

With the team’s third 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 fourth and final preseason game, which will take place Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.

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

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

Offense (25)

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

Analysis: Poor Devlin Hodges received zero playing time Sunday night in the team’s third preseason game and barring Dobbs being traded, I just can’t see him sticking around. I also can’t see Hodges being kept on the practice squad as a third quarterback.

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

Analysis: Could Trey Edmunds really beat out Snell for a roster spot due to special teams play? I suppose that’s possible and Snell sure didn’t help his cause Sunday night by missing the game with an injury. For now I will stay with Snell as the No. 3 running back and hope that he can close out the preseason finale with a strong all-around showing and that includes special teams.

Fullbacks (1) – Roosevelt Nix

Analysis: Nix is a special teams demon and even played 15 snaps on those units Sunday night against the Titans. Hopefully they rest him Thursday night in the preseason finale.

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

Analysis: With one preseason game remaining I still have no reason to leave either Rogers or Switzer off my 53-man roster prediction. Neither Johnny Holton nor Diontae Spencer have made a big enough push from what I can see. As for Johnson and him missing two preseason games so far, he’s likely headed for the Week 1 inactive list.

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

Analysis: McDonald and Grimble are obviously set and we’ll have to see what happens with Gentry. Right now, however, and barring a trade or late signing, Gentry is the No. 3 tight end.

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

Analysis: The Steelers like to dress seven offensive online every week and usually like to keep at least nine in total. I suppose they could cut either Johnson or Banner and keep only eight in total but do keep in mind that the team does need seven inactive players every week.

Defense (25)

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 this week. Buggs was seemingly banged up Sunday night but it doesn’t sound like it’s anything serious with him. He would be one of the Week 1 seven inactive players as well.

Inside Linebackers (5) – Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Devin Bush, Tyler Matakevich, Ulysees Gilbert III

Analysis: After my experiment to be different last week, Ulysees Gilbert III is now back on my 53-man roster again. He even played 13 special teams snaps Sunday night. The first four are locks and it feels like Gilbert has become one as well even though he might wind up being a Week 1 inactive player.

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

Analysis: Adeniyi is still 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 continues to have a very nice rookie preseason, he still has yet to barely play any special teams snaps in the first three games. Against the Titans he played zero snaps on special teams and that’s not a great sign for him. In short, he’s likely ticketed for the practice squad as we sit here with three preseason games now in the books.

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

Analysis: These six feel like they’ve been the six since training camp got underway. Burns and Layne have been the two gunners on the punt team to boot. It makes sense for no changes to be made with this group.

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

Analysis: Kelly played a lot Sunday night and Davis left with an ankle injury. As for Dangerfield, like Nix, he played 15 special teams snaps Sunday night and thus feels like a lock. It certainly seems like Marcus Allen still needs something drastic to happen for him to make the Steelers 53-man roster as it looks like he’s headed for the practice squad.

Specialists (3)

Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell

Analysis: Boswell is the guy unless the Steelers go outside the team and right now I don’t see that happening.

Punter (1) – Jordan Berry

Analysis: I still have no reason to pick Ian Berryman over Berry.

Long Snapper (1) – Kameron Canaday

Analysis: Canaday is a lock of locks barring an injury.

Reserve List (3)

Reserve/PUP (1) – Ryan Shazier

Reserve/Injured (2) – Lavon Hooks, Herb Waters

Practice Squad (11)

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

Week 1 Inactives (7)

Joshua Dobbs, Zach Banner, Fred Johnson, Diontae Johnson, Isaiah Buggs, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Ulysees Gilbert III

SUMMARY: Just one change again this time and it’s back to me keeping inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III. This is a carbon-copy of my prediction after the team’s first preseason game and the one I would’ve submitted last week if not for wanting to change it up for just one week.