Which Rookies make the team?

Part of this depends on of we keep four QB’s and for the sake of that argument I am assuming we do. With that being said im probably cutting Heinrich. They aren’t even using him the way I was hoping he would be used. He also is kind of redundant too Wetjen whom I am underwhelmed by but they will probably keep because they drafted him in the fourth round. I would prefer they keep Spears Jennings over Rayshawn if it co,es down to between those two just do to upside with speed and age and I really hope they keep Rubio over Lowry and Otemuzi or whatever his name is. The rest of the rookies will for sure make it.

 

I like this idea of keeping only two RBs on the initial roster then elevate one from the practice squad for the season opener.

 

Hope I make the cut this year

 

I see we cut the kicker who yacked on his lone FG attempt. I would have kept him around for the last pre-season game just so Boswell wouldn't suffer some fluke injury.

 

I honestly can’t see Steelers or any team
Keeping 4 qbs on the 53 roster
That qb absolutely will do nothing
Eating up another position spot

 

I just don't see a need for a 30 year old 5th ILB in Cole Holcomb making the 53-man roster. Queen, Wilson, and Roberts will be your rotational starters with Bruener as the backup.

I would rather see a 3rd RB, or even a project like OLB/ILB Jasmin Davis make the roster.

 

My calls going into pre-season game #3.

Of the day 3 picks:

Wetjen will make it as the return specialist.
Nowakowski will get cut and be added to the practice squad.
Rubio has sealed the 6th DL spot.
Spears has eared a safety spot based in quality play a safety and special teams.
Heidenreich will be cut.

Now for the vets on the bubble

Howard will be cut.
Johnson will be cut.
Jones will be cut.
Harrison will be cut.
Tonyan makes the team as the 3rd TE


Look for the Steelers to pick up a RB from another team. One who plays both RB and special teams.

 

Maybe we bring in another leg for the final preseason game?

 

Was listening to sports radio this morning and they had a former NFL GM on. He said by this time in the preseason most teams are fairly set on the players they will roster. Only three or four players might still have a ? next to their names.

 

Usually what I've heard before, but remember a injury can change all of that

 

Iaheanachor
Germie
Allar
Everette
Dunker
Nowakowski
Rubio
Wetjen
Spears-Jennings

Heidenreich - PS

 

Iheanacore
Bernard
Allar
Everette
Dunker
Spears-Jennings

 

IMO in the last pre-season game they should not kick at all except to punt. Good time to practice the 2 point conversion assuming we score TD's. We know BOZ can kick a football so it is a good time to go for it on 4th down instead of trying for 3 meaningless points.

 

Speaking of rookies I'm not sold on Wetjen as a WR, he's not a tall guy nor do I like him as our return guy. IMO he'll have to have one hell of a game Thursday night to make the final cut.

I have no idea how good he was at Iowa.

 

Maybe. It depends on who the other teams cut. We really do not have a good RB #3.

 

There used to be multiple cut down days unlike now with one big lump

Why did that go away

 

Minimize anxiety?

 

I always thought cutting some guys earlier gave them a better chance to sign elsewhere

 

Max Iheanachor T Arizona State - Obviously making the team. If Jones and Cook continue to suck, he should have a chance to start at some point this season.
Germie Bernard WR Alabama - obviously making the team. Him and Wilson are battling for the WR3 job, but he will see snaps on the field this season regardless.
Drew Allar QB Penn State - obviously making the team. There is almost no scenario that sees him playing this year, but that's okay.
Daylen Everette DB Georgia - obviously making the team. Lots of camp hype and quality PS outing. Will start as depth, shouldn't play much with the talent we have in the secondary without injuries
Gennings Dunker G Iowa - obviously making the team. Our OL isn't so good that young talent is expendable. I thought he'd push a starting job a bit sooner, but oh well, he's looked fine and can continue to get better.
Kaden Wetjen WR Iowa - obviously making the team. Starting KR/PR and should basically never see the field on offense. His second outing was better than his first (in returns) still has some juice to show.
Riley Nowakowski TE Indiana - obviously making the team. Only FB/H-Back we have. ST player.
Gabe Rubio DE Notre Dame - Should make the team. Has had a good camp and quality PS. I'd expect he's the final DL to make it. Our depth is good enough there to have him start as game day inactive
Robert Spears-Jennings DB Oklahoma - Should make the team. On the field he looks closer to field capable than he does to being cut. Making plays on defense and ST. I'd have him as a lock if it were me deciding.
Eli Heidenreich - Won't make the team. Doesn't look like he's done enough and we went out and got some RB's just now in FA. He might stick around on the PS.

 

He looked much better last game in the PR department. Returns are hard. He made a nice play on the slant in the first game (should've scored) but I don't see him as a real threat to be a starting slot guy. His NFL path is decent slot WR depth and good returner. Whether or not he becomes a good returner will make or break his career.

IMO he makes the team based on our lack of other options at PR.

 

His fumble on one and bobble on another was not a good look, especially for a guy that has no value on offense.

 

Maybe 2 cuts, 1 for sure. Practice squad could be 1 or 2 depending.
This last preseason game will be a last chance for those.
Then when cuts happen, there will be some players. The big question there would be, will they even make any moves or will they be the same old K-Mart blue light specials?
I'm hard time with the 4QB's also. So it is wait-n-see.
Roman Wilson is easily upgradeable... not sure Wetjen can do it, but in the cuts it is a easy pick and choose.

Rookies
Max Iheanachor (OT, 1st round) - Injured but they are not going to cut him.
Germie Bernard (WR, 2nd) - They want to play him on the outside. He is also a much better rec'r than Roman Wilson.
Drew Allar (QB, 3rd) - Allar's definitely has some talent. He's not going anywhere.
Daylen Everette (CB, 3rd) - He's probably going to make the roster.
Gennings Dunker (G, 3rd) - Very rough cut, they probably will find a way to keep him (practice squad?)
Kaden Wetjen (WR, 4th) - It wouldn't take much to beat out Roman Wilson in that slot spot but Wetjan is not flashing anything. As a returner, he hasn't been special. He could easily be a cut.
Riley Nowakowski (FB, 5th) - He has no competition.
Gabriel Rubio (DE, 6th) - A pleasant surprise as a run stopper.
Robert Spears-Jennings (S, 7th) - Has made plays and I expect him to make the roster.
Eli Heidenreich (RB/WR, 7th) - Probably a cut.

The Draft Class of 26: Typical Steeler draft. Pick for need and no real game changers, just fairly solid blue collar guys that can contribute.