More QBs will arrive to join Wilson, Fields
Justin Fields, Van Jefferson and Cameron Johnston are signed and must be accounted for entering the final month of the pre-draft process.
With those seven additions factored into the equation, putting the current offseason roster at an even 70, let’s take a step back and look at each group on the depth chart, from quarterback to specialteams.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson, Justin
Fields
It’s a two-man show now that Kenny Pickett is off to kelly greener pastures and Mason Rudolph is headed for the honky-tonks. But the Steelers have long believed in carrying three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and bringing a fourth to training camp, so you’re likelylooking at a late-round draft pick and low-level veteran signing to fill things out.
Running back
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Aaron Shampklin, Alfonzo Graham, Jack Colletto
Harris and Warren make one of the NFL’s best backfield duos but a third is needed behind them in case of injury. And if you’re on the team as an insurance policy, you better pitch in elsewhere in the meantime, either as a returner or special teamer. Godwin Igwebuike served that role well for the second half of lastseason. Shampklin went undrafted out of Harvard in 2022 before bouncing around practice squads and signing a futures deal here in January, while Graham was signed after a rookie camptryout last year but got injured in camp. This would be a good spot for a lateround pick or undrafted rookie willing to do whatever it takes to get an NFL paycheck. Colletto is a fullback who worked hard on thepractice squad.
Wide receiver
George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Dez Fitzpatrick, Denzel Mims, Marquez Callaway, Duece Watts, Keilahn Harris
Diontae Johnson’s absence makes this a rebuilding unit, but Pickens has the talent to keep it afloat for the new quarterbacks. Austin has yet to prove he can be anything more than a fun ancillary piece of the offense capable of stretching the field here and there. Jefferson, meanwhile, hasn’t been much of a big-play threat the past couple years though he has experience in the slot and out wide. Fitzpatrick, a fourth-round pick of the Titans in 2021, made an impression last year in camp that kept him on the practice squad all season. Mims, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2020, has pedigree on his side. Keep an eye out for both of them in the spring andsummer.
Tight end
Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams
Freiermuth has been a reliable target but hampered by injuries for much of three seasons, which makes him an interesting candidate for a contract extension. He could be even more valuable in new play-caller Arthur Smith’s tight end-heavy offense. Speaking of Smith, Heyward could transition to more of a fullback role in his scheme. That would make it a pivotal year for Washington to show and prove what he can do as an inline tight end. Can he be more of a pass-catcher than an extra blocker? And don’t completely discount Williams, who’s a solid move tight end with decent route-running and hands. He also rescued special teams coordinator Danny Smith from that scrum.
Offensive line
Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Nate Herbig, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum, Devery Hamilton, Kellen Diesch, Joey Fisher, Tyler Beach, Anderson Hardy
The center of attention here is center, now that Mason Cole is gone. Herbig would be the next man up, Anderson repped there at times in training camp and McCollum holds it down on scout team, but a long-term solution is atop the to-do list. ChuksOkorafor signed with the Patriots, so the third tackle spot — whether that replacement becomes a starter or a swing guy — is up for grabs, too. Anderson, their last pick of the 2023 draft, has the versatility to compete there, as well, but Cook was a surprise keeper at the start of last season. Hamilton, who’s on a futures deal, actually played some offensive snaps two years ago for the Giants at tackle in the regular season. For a team that’s always looking to replicate the success they had with Matt Feiler, Diesch (tackle) and Fisher(guard) are back after spending time on the practice squad last year. But at this point this is an inexperienced bunch beyond the starters.
Defensive line
Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, Breiden Fehoko, Jonathan Marshall, Jacob Slade
Much like this time last year, the defensive front is in fine shape depth-wise but the front office won’t mind upgrading if the opportunity presents itself in the draft. That’s exactly what happened when Benton became a second-round pick and Fehoko found himself the odd man out among roster cuts. It’s competitive enough that none of the veterans beyond Heyward and Ogunjobi can feel particularly safe (though Adams was re-signed just last week). Loudermilk was an odd draft choice at the time whomay have hit his ceiling already. Leal has athletic potential but has not developed two years in. Benton will be a trendy breakout candidate in his second lap aroundthe track.
Outside linebacker
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Kyron Johnson, Jeremiah Moon, David Perales
Markus Golden flashed at times in his age-32 season but has yet to be re-signed, which could mean the Steelers are comfortable turning over the No. 3 rusher role to Nick Herbig full-time. As always, No. 4 better be a special teams grinder. Johnson did some of that last year in the final six games. Moon was doing that in Baltimore, so the Steelers claimed him off waivers to take a closer look at the 6-foot-5, 250pound Florida product who went undrafted in 2022. Perales is a long shot for the secondyear in a row.
Inside linebacker
Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson, Tyler Murray
If Holcomb is ready for Week1 after going through a significant injury, surgery and rehab process, this top four can hold until September. But it’s too dicey to rely on that, so infusing another rookie at some point in the draft would be preferable. Robinson is a bit of an enigma. He often stands out in training camp, but coaches don’t seem eager to put much more on his plate when it comes to meaningfulplaying time. Kwon Alexander is going through his own recovery from a torn Achilles, so if his timetable outpaces Holcomb’s, a reunionthere isn’t a bad emergency plan. They didn’t sign him last year until a few days into camp. Murray is morethan a long shot.
Cornerback
Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Darius Rush, Cory Trice Jr., Luq Barcoo, Josiah Scott, Thomas Graham, Kalon Barnes
There’s more competition to come here. Your No. 1 corner job is locked down by Porter, Jackson would make the Diontae Johnson trade look even better if he can be No. 2, and there’s plenty of upside in the long, fast duo of Rush and Trice. Barcoo tried and failed to claw his way to the roster last year in Latrobe. Scott, who plays in the slot, was initially stashed on the practice squad to start the regular season but eventually signed back with the Eagles and played in four games. Graham was a 2021 sixth-round pick of the Bears who can play inside or outside. Barnes carries a bit of intrigue as a project, considering his 4.23 40-yard dash at the 2022 combine, but the Carolina seventhrounder has never made it to a team’s active roster. JamesPierre was picked up Thursday by the Commanders after four seasons in Pittsburgh while Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace and Chandon Sullivan remain unsigned.
Safety
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, DeShon Elliott, Miles Killebrew, Trenton Thompson, Jalen Elliott, Nathan Meadors
If DeShon Elliott, who signed for $6 million over two years in free agency, is the new Keanu Neal then Kazee should slot into a similar role as last season. He also could be more of an every-snap player alongside Fitzpatrick, with Kazee rotating in for the three-safety sub-package. This might be the draft to add a bigger body capable of helping in the box, but if not, Thompson made some plays when he had his audition due to a litany of injuries and Kazee’s suspension. Killebrew is solely returning to be a specialteams ace.
Special teams
Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Just call them the Killer C’s. We know Boswell, coming off a career year, and Kuntz, now holding a career contract, can do their jobs. Johnston projects favorably compared to his predecessor Pressley Harvin III. The best side effect of the Steelers signing Johnston for three years in free agency? They’ll have no temptation to use a draft pick on a punter again.