Drawing Closer: The Final 53. Pre Training Camp Edition.

As we get closer and closer to the start of a new NFL Season, I would like to take the time with you all to sharw my thoughts on the current roster.


Like always, some make it and others do not. Be it misfortune, poor performance or simply insufficient room, making it to the final 53 is tough. With that out of the way, let me share with you my final 53 before the start of training camp.



Let us get started.



Quarterback (Three total):


Ben Roethlisberger: .... Not elaborating on this one.


Landry Jones: The backup... for now.


Joshua Dobbs (Rookie): The backups backup... for now. Look to 2018 for number 2.



Running Back (Three total):


Le'Veon Bell: Refer to Ben.


James Conner (Rookie): The backup to Bell.


Knile Davis: Has return ability and is quite quick. Backups backup.


Fullback (One total):


Roosevelt Nix: Reliable lead blocker. Nothing more to say.


Tight End (Three Total):


Jesse James: Young and still developing, expect him to have a big year.


David Johnson: More reliable at blocking than Grimble and more versatile too.


Xaiver Grimble: Good pass catcher but still needs some refinement.


Wide Receiver (Six total):


Antonio Brown: Refer to Ben and/or Bell.


Martavis Bryant :

This is going to depend if Bryant can stay focused and out of trouble. Should he be able to, refer to Antonio Brown. Otherwise... there is a plan for that.


JuJu Smith Schuster (Rookie):


The first surprise on the list, I do believe that JuJu will be starting slot on opening day. A round two pick is truly more than the sum of his parts. Schuster is a treasure trove of contingency plans and solutions all wrapped in one.


Eli Rogers:


The original slot man. He will still get playing time. Due to the arrival of JuJu though, he gets demoted to fourth string.


Justin Hunter:


Big, long and fast. Plenty young too. Issue has been finding consistency. Will see time in preseason. May not see as much if anything on gameday.


Sammie Coates:


When he waa healthy, this was the deep option. Now that he elected to forgo hand surgery in addition the return of Martavis Bryant and the selection of JuJu, Sammie has really taken a hit. His value now lies in special teams where he did some work. Preseason will tell if he has grown enough to leap frog Heyward-Bey.


Offensive Line (Eight Total):



Alejandro Villanueva:


The blind slide protector to Ben. Started slow last season but improved exponentially. Steady eddie player.


Ramon Foster:


Undrafted but invaluable. Foster proves that the NFL Draft truly is like playing the lottery. One of four guards to not give up a sack last season. May be the elder statesman but is also "Mr. Reliable" nonetheless.


B.J. Finney:


More than likely Ramons heir apparent. Did extremely well when Ramon was injured and played adequate in the final game of last season. Should anything happen to Ramon or David DeCastro, we all know Finney can heed the call.


Jerald Hawkins:


My personal favorite to improve the most of the 2016 draft class. An injury robbed him of his rookie season but showed promise in just one game. Seems that promise we all saw will manifest in year two if he can stay healthy. Much like Finney, should anything happen to either Big Al or Marcus, we do have someone to depend on.


David DeCastro:


A two time Pro Bowl selection and a First and Second Team All Pro, DeCastro has become one of the elite guards in the game. Granted, the start of 2016 surely did not seem that way. Like Big Al though, he picked it up for the final twelve weeks of the season. Look for him to have yet another All Pro honor with a side of Hawaiian gooddess this season.


Marcus Gilbert:


He has to be one of the most underrated if not the most underrated elite tackles in the game. Trades blows with generally a teams best pass rusher and is a stout mauler in the run game. Seriously needs some Pro Bowl love with a helping of an All Pro selection.


Maurkice Pouncey:


When he is healthy, only Travis Frederick has the edge. Athletically speaking however, he is second to none in the league. He may not be Dermontti Dawson but he does not have to be. Might be Canton bound if his health stays the course.


Chris Hubbard:


Long considered the "Black Sheep" by many fans, his usage in heavy sets showcased that he still does have a place on the team. However, look for Jerald Hawkins to challenge him for thr swing tackle spot.



Now... time for the defense.



Defensive Lineman (Six Total):


Cameron Heyward:


He was missed last season for sure. He will be needed yet again this season. What he provides is more than just playmaking ability. Heart and soul of the defense. Cannot replicate that.


Stephon Tuitt:


One of the best defensive lineman in the game under the age of 25. Took over after Heyward got hurt. Should be in for a big season.


Javon Hargrave:


Year two is where players gain the most experience. The game itself slows down gradually and reaction speeds increase exponentially. Not that "GraveDigger" needed any help in that department but with a full NFL regimen under his belt, he may be the missing piece we have needed on the interior since Casey Hampton destroyed running lanes in the 2000s.


L.T. Walton:


I still believe he will get better. Last season was all the confirmation I needed. Should either Heyward or Tuitt fall, backup plan number one is here.


Tyson Alualu:


A former top 10 pick who was underrated in the system he played in, Tyson does bring more depth and stability to an already stable position.


Daniel McCullers:


Backup nose tackle. Not much else to say here.




Linebackers (nine total):



Bud Dupree:


2016 was supposed to be his "coming out party" so to speak. However, this did not happen due to an injury that would keep him out for much of the season. I do expect him to pick up where he left off from last season when he did play.


James Harrison:


Age defying legend. Knows how to get to the quarterback and is still the teams best run stopper.... at 39 years of age. He will likely see a snap count to preserve him for later in the season due to the arrival of TJ Watt.



T.J. Watt (Rookie):


The guy that will eventually take over for James Harrison at some point. Currently though, learning the position is key for him. The more he learns now, the better he can see himself take the field early in the season.



Anthony Chickillo:


Reliable depth and reliable special teams player. Essentially Arthur Moats with more youth.



Arthur Moats:


He will battle it out against Keion Adams for the final outside linebackers spot. We will have to wait and see what happens until then.



Ryan Shazier:



So great and tenacious but so oft injured. Guy is still the fastest linebacker in the game and is one of the most dynamic. Health had always stopped him from being in the Pro Bowl until last season. Should he stay healthy, look for him to not just have a second Pro Bowl apperance but an All Pro nomination as well.



Vince Williams:


He is now a starter for this team. His shoulder injuries will be something to watch for sure. Can he truly replicate what Lawrence Timmons did for us in his own way? Time will tell.



L.J Fort:


Solid depth and special teams player. Nothing more need be said.



Tyler Matakevich:


More than likely going to emerge as the special teams demon we need. His improvement with his lateral agility also boosts his abilities to be a very solid depth player. Look for him to make some plays come preseason.



Cornerback (Six total):


Ross Cockrell:


Reasons unbeknownst to me, the new whipping boy of the defense.... which is rather odd. Was the best cornerback on the team last season and is still being chastised by some of the fanbase. I am cutting Ross some slack. Last season was his first full season as a starter. I expect better things now that he has a confort level playing as the starter.



Artie Burns:


Last years first pick for the team. With a 2017 schedule that boasts the likes of Jordy Nelson, Stephon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton, Corey Davis (Rookie), Julian Edelman and the divisional suspects of the likes of A.J. Green and Corey Coleman, Artie definitley has his work cut out for him. He did handle the likes of Odel Beckham Jr. and even A.J. well last season. With a full offseason of NFL preparation, expect Artie to surge to have an even better season.



William Gay:


For a guy who got eviscerated in the AFC Championship Game, he still is the best option for slot duty. For now. Should Senquez Golson or even Cameron Sutton showcase skills considerably in the preseason, Williams status with the team as the starting slot corner will deteriorate for sure. Until then, he is the guy.


Coty Sensabaugh:


The free agent pickup, Coty has considerable experience playing inside and outside. He is a depth player but a very solid on at that.


Senquez Golson:


This guy is truly the unknown of the entire group. I was initally going to slot Cameron Sutton then Brian Allen to round out the list but as it stands, Golson is healthy. In order to crack the 53, health will not be enough. A good showcasing in preseason will keep someone like Cameron Sutton at bay for the fifth corner spot on the roster.


Cameron Sutton (Rookie):


The other multi versatile chess piece in the corner group not named Coty. Still a rookie but has tremendous IQ of the game and is athletic enough to do the job in the slot or on the outside should his number be called. For now though, like T.J., learning the game is key, so no rush here.



Safety (Four total):



Mike Mitchell:


The second whipping boy may soon be the main whipping boy should things go south this season. Not only is he the elder statesman but also the enforcer on the backend. The issue with many is his lack of center fielding ability; something he is not. As such, Mike is the guy to watch most on defense.



Sean Davis:


Winning the teams Rookie of the Year was just the stepping stone for Sean. Currently healing a shoulder injury, look for him to possibly be one of the AFC's best safeties in 2017 should his health allow it. A possible Pro Bowl berth is also not out of the question either.



Robert Golden:


Solid depth. The special teams captain. Not much else to say here.


*** NEWCOMER ***


Daimion Stafford:


Yep. Newcomer Stafford likely gives either Robert Golden or Jordan Dangerfield the boot for my money. Given the fact he has been utilized as the dime defender to cover the "deep hole" in the Cover 3 schemes used by Dick LeBeau, there is no reason to state why his abilities to do so would not carry over. In addition, he too was a captain (co-captain) of special teams. For the time being, Dangerfield is the odd man out.



Special Teams:



Chris Boswell:


Made NFL Playoff History with six Field Goals. Prior to that, he was "Mr. Consistent". You get the idea.


Jordan Berry:


He will get better. Waa doing really well for the first half of the season. Fluctuated after that but found his groove in playoff time. Again, will get better.


Colin Holba:


I was one of the few at the time who liked this pick. Now with Greg Warrens failed physcial, those who berated the pick now sew Holba with a different set of eyes. Will battle it out with Kameron Canaday. Granted though... this seems to be more so a test for Holba; reminding him that nothing comes easy nor is guaranteed in this league.


Practice Squad (Ten total):


Rushel Shell:


Native guy who has some tools to work with. Not good enough for final 53.



Demarcus Ayers:


This is what happens with so much depth at a position. Someone has to get left out. That someone sadly is Ayers. One of two players I believe will be poached.



Marcus Tucker:


Has some tools to work witb but is way too raw.



Phazahn Odom:


Big and tall with loads of potential. Needs to learn how to block though.



Ethan Cooper:


Best guy of the bunch imo from a talent standpoint. However, his position, like Ayers is crowded. Also needs some seasoning.


Brian Mihalik:


Should he play well, look for him to be the contingency plan if injuries to tackle mount like crazy.



Johnny Maxey:


Refer to Mihalik.



Keion Adams:


Has the tangibles and intangibles. Just needs some more seasoning



Brian Allen:


My biggest concern. More than likely will be poached at some point in the regular season. Some teams will take chances on very raw corners with elite athletic traits like Allen. Should Golson falter though, his chances of making the final 53 skyrocket.


Jacob Hagen:


Refer to Mihalik.





Well, that does it for my final 53 predictions before the start of Training Camp. Agree? Disagree? Please let me know what you think as I do plan to do these more often.

 

Think you need another OL. I don't believe in Golson at all. I also think Keion Adams has a shot at making this roster.

 

I would not be surprised to see another TE show up.

 

did you forget hubbard on the o-line?

i do think allen and stafford take the safety spots from dangerfield. golson may be the odd man out to keep an extra safety/CB in allen.

i waiting to see what coach mann can do with hunter. AB, bryant, juju, hunter will give ben plenty to throw to on the field. a nice mix of big and fast and small and quick.

grimble and james make strides in blocking this year. with nix healthy it means we may see a vet go.

my vet cuts this year: dangerfield, moats, coates DJ.

 

Golson may be the odd man out after the first practice when he gets injured tripping over a dandelion.

 

Weed(s) have really damaged our team in the past, so maybe

 

I am a Golson fan; I think he has the chance to win the slot job. I think between Golson/Gay/Sutton/Sensabaugh, we are in rare shape depth-wise at CB and it's all a win-win for us

 

Javon Hargrave left field today in OTA practice. I have not read what happened or what he injured or how serious

 

Great write up. Very informative.

 

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions thus far!


Yes, yes, I did forget to add Chris Hubbard. Will update now.

 

Thank you!

 

Was wondering when you would comment.

 

I appreciate you taking the time to write this up. Great job! It helps me to see who/what the team has to work with. It should be some good competition. I saw a headline today that Ayers set a goal to be the punt returner. I for one hope he wins that job so we stop having Brown do that.

 

I agree with a thought expressed here that Golson could be the surprise odd man out.

 

Golson can't be the odd man out.

 

I can envision Brian Allen becoming a talent given enough time to learn the position. With his unique size, we cannot afford to risk him being on the practice squad. Senquez Golsen at 5'9" need to be given the boot...

 

It will probably wind up on his foot helping him heal for next season.

 

does golson have PS eligibility? i'd take the chance with him over allen to be put there.

 

Considering Allen only started 10 games in 2015 and 2016 combined, his 44 solo and 18 assists seems a low ball amount but converting from WR to corner the learning curve was a whole new game for him, he did seem to have a knack for interceptions and he just might be a coachable player who could surprise in camp, he has the tools so the DB coaches need to teach him how to use them....

 

we have a lot of guys that need to be taught how to tackle on our defense.

 

I think I will be watching the CB and WR battles along with ILB, ROLB, Safety positions in training camp, I am also interested
in how our coaching staff will use Our DL. Should be interesting.