The Steelers have until 4:00 pm tomorrow to make their final roster cuts. 22 players will be getting proverbial pink slips in their lockers. Here is my updated 53 man roster projection. The only change here from my previous prediction is Chris Carter in place of Vic So’oto, who was already cut.
Quarterbacks (3)
Ben Roethlisberger
Bruce Gradkowski
Landry Jones
I could see the team waiving Jones and signing him to the practice squad, but I don’t think they will.
Running Backs (4)
Le’Veon Bell
LeGarrette Blount
Will Johnson
Dri Archer
No real surprises here. I don’t see the team disciplining either of the 2 LB RBs, so I don’t think they keep another back, especially since none of them has shown enough to warrant the spot. I expected Tauren Poole stick around another week, but he didn’t make it through the first round of cuts. He could obviously be signed to the practice squad though, and the position can easily be addressed in free agency if the need arises.
Tight Ends (3)
Heath Miller
Matt Spaeth
Michael Palmer
This could go either way, but I think the team throws in the towel on the David Paulson project.
Wide Receiver (6)
Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Lance Moore
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Martavis Bryant
Justin Brown
There’s some room for error here as Justin Brown is a coin toss, Martavis Bryant has been pretty disappointing in preseason, and DHB hasn’t shown a whole lot aside from hauling in a deep touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger against the Eagles. Plays like that were exactly what the Steelers were envisioning when they signed him. Heyward-Bey is really the only WR out of that fringe group who looks like a solid receiver when you watch him play. Bryant isn’t going to the practice squad, but Justin Brown very well could. Notable cut- Derek Moye.
Offensive Line (8)
Maurkice Pouncey
Kelvin Beachum
Ramon Foster
David DeCastro
Marcus Gilbert
Mike Adams
Cody Wallace
Wesley Johnson
Earlier in the year, I didn’t see Johnson making the roster, but I think the Vanderbilt stand out has shown enough to earn him a spot on the final 53. If the team goes 9 here, Guy Whimper will be on the list. I see Chris Hubbard landing on the practice squad.
Defensive Line (7)
Cameron Heyward
Steve McLendon
Brett Keisel
Cam Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Daniel McCullers
Josh Mauro
I think Mauro has shown enough to earn that last spot on the defensive line. While I don’t think McCullers is a roster lock by any means, his upside is greater than that of his peers.
Linebackers (9)
Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Lawrence Timmons
Jason Worilds
Arthur Moats
Terence Garvin
Vince Williams
Sean Spence
Chris Carter
I originally had So’oto making the team, but he was cut during the first wave of roster trimming. I think the team keeps “old reliable” Chris Carter here instead of moving on.
Cornerbacks (5)
Ike Taylor
Cortez Allen
William Gay
Antwon Blake
Brice McCain
The team claimed B.W. Webb off waivers this afternoon, which is likely related to McCain’s groin injury, but I’ll leave this as is. Shaq Richardson should have a spot on the practice squad if he doesn’t go to IR.
Safeties (5)
Troy Polamalu
Mike Mitchell
Will Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Robert Golden
No surprises here. I don’t see Will Allen getting cut.
Specialists (3)
Shaun Suisham
Brad Wing
Greg Warren
Wing performed well during the preseason finale, but he also flashed more of that inconsistency. Like Drew Butler last year, I see Wing making it past the last round of cuts, only to lose the job shortly after when the team finds an upgrade.
