A season of change for roster
Several battles to determine starting jobs are likely at training camp
It is not uncommon for the Steelers to head to training camp knowing that most of their 53-man roster for the regular season is already set. Oh, they account for the surprising performance of an unheralded free agent and understand several position battles might be necessary to determine a starter or a top backup.
But with the exception of three or four players, maybe fewer, they can probably pencil in their opening-week roster by the time they arrive at Saint Vincent College. Injuries aside, of course.
Not this year.
Because of the amount of turnover brought on by defections, salary-cap ramifications and even retirement, the roster will not have the same rubber-stamp look to it this season. As many as 10 top spots, perhaps more, will be available when they get to training camp, making the look of the final 53-man roster harder to predict than recent seasons.
Nonetheless, what follows is a projected breakdown of the 2021 depth chart with the number of players likely to be kept at each position in parentheses. Specialists are not included because the only question is if seventh-round pick Pressley Harvin III can replace veteran Jordan Berry as the punter. But, to borrow an expression from a former Steelers GM, they didn’t bring Harvin in to lead the band at halftime.
• Quarterback (3) — The top two positions are set with Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. The only question is whether Dwayne Haskins, who was signed after being discarded by Washington, can convince them he is worth keeping. That is not a given, but they will keep him for the same reason they signed him — hope.
• Running back (5) — This much appears certain: Najee Harris is the feature back with Benny Snell as the top backup. They are not going to give up on Anthony McFarland Jr. after one season, and Derek Watt is the only fullback. Free agent signing Kalen Ballage is a good bet to move Jaylen Samuels off the roster.
• Wide receiver (5) — Little will change here. It will be the same five as last season with the only decision being if they want to keep six receivers. If so, there could be a spot for one of those camp surprises, like, say, rookie Isaiah McCoy of Kent State.
• Tight end (3) — The addition of rookie No. 2 Pat Freiermuth can allow Eric Ebron to flex as a wide receiver if they like. Zach Gentry likely gets one more year to prove he was worth a fifth-round pick in 2019. If not, Pine-Richland alum Kevin Rader is the better blocker who needs a big training camp.
• Tackle (4) — The Steelers are set with their four — Chuks Okorafor, Zach Banner, free agent pickup Joe Haeg and rookie No. 4 Dan Moore Jr. That doesn’t leave much room for free agent pickup Rashaad Coward.
• Guard (3) — This is where the Steelers will have five players for two positions. David DeCastro and Kevin Dotson will be the starters and B.J. Finney returns as the likely top backup who has position flexibility at center.
• Center (2) — Rookie Kendrick Green, their No. 3 draft choice, will basically be handed the starting position. For now, J.C. Hassenauer is the backup, but training camp could produce a surprise at guard that allows Finney to be the swing player at both positions and forces Hassenauer out.
• Defensive end (4) — Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt are two of the best in the NFL and rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk was added in the draft to provide depth with veteran Chris Wormley, who was brought back on a two-year deal. That means Isaiah Buggs is out.
• Nose tackle (2) — Getting Tyson Alualu back when they didn’t expect it saved the Steelers from drafting a nose tackle. The coaches like Carlos Davis, a seventh-round pick last year who can play both nose and end.
• Outside linebacker (4) — Even though he wasn’t drafted until the sixth round, rookie Quincy Roche has a spot waiting for him behind T. J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. After that, there is only room for one, and right now that is Cassius Marsh, who is on his seventh NFL team. But someone like former Notre Dame edge rusher Jamir Jones has a chance to grab the fourth spot with a good training camp.
• Inside linebacker (5) — Bringing Vince Williams back for one more season buys time before rookie Buddy Johnson, their fourthround choice, moves in as a starter next to Devin Bush. At least, that is the hope. It also means Robert Spillane can be a solid contributor off the bench in case of injury. Then it comes down to deciding who is the better fit —- Marcus Allen or the oft-injured Ulysees Gilbert III?
• Cornerback (5) — The Steelers are inclined to keep five cornerbacks and it’s possible one could still be added in free agency. Otherwise, Joe Haden and Cam Sutton are the starters, with James Pierre or Justin Layne moving outside when Sutton moves to nickelback. Layne has to show he was worthy of a thirdround pick in 2019 after his performance declined last season. Rookie Tre Norwood will start out at cornerback, but his lack of speed could push him to safety. Do not discount undrafted rookie Shakur Brown.
• Safety (5) — There is not a lot of depth behind starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds, so it’s possible a veteran could be added by training camp. Right now, the only sure backup is free agent pickup Miles Killebrew, a special teams standout who can also play dime linebacker. Antoine Brooks, last year’s sixthround choice, can do the same. Norwood could end up here. So could Jordan Dangerfield — again.