The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially released their 53-man roster. Below is the full roster with analysis to go along with each unit:
Offense
QB (3) - Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins
Analysis - No surprise here. This was set in stone for many months.
RB/FB (5) - Najee Harris, Anthony McFarland Jr., Kalen Ballage, Benny Snell Jr., and FB Derek Watt
Analysis - Snell Jr. finds his way onto the roster despite a very lackluster preseason. It is going to be interesting to see who gets the second most touches this season behind Harris. It truly is a toss up.
WR (5) - JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud
Analysis - After the release of Rico Bussey and Anthony Johnson, this was a relatively easy group to predict heading into week one. Expect to see Bussey on the practice squad.
TE (3) - Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth and Zach Gentry
Analysis - Gentry beats out Kevin Rader for the #3 TE spot. It was clear going in that Ebron and Freiermuth would be the top two guys.
OT (4) - Chuks Okorafor, Zach Banner, Dan Moore Jr, and Joe Haeg
Analysis - As far as who is starting in this group? Who knows? Moore Jr. played great in the preseason, Banner has been limited and Okorafor and Haeg also could make a running at a starting job. The whole offensive line will be shaped within the first couple weeks, but it should be very interesting to see what the Steelers do here to protect Roethlisberger.
G (2) - Kevin Dotson, Trai Turner
Analysis - No BJ Finney or Rashaad Coward here. Only carrying two guards as of now.
C (2) - Kendrick Green and J.C. Hassenaur
Analysis - No surprise here. It will be interesting to see how this positional better goes through the regular season.
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Defense
DL (8) - Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Carlos Davis, Henry Mondeaux, Isaiah Buggs and Isaiahh Loudermilk
Analysis - EIGHT. Eight defensive line make the original 53-man. This probably is in part due to Tuitt's uncertainty. What depth the Steelers have here.
ILB (6) - Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen, Ulysees Gilbert III and Buddy Johnson
Analysis - All six ILBs hang on. A bit of a surprise here as I expected Gilbert to me knocked off the roster.
OLB (4) - T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Melvin Ingram, and Jamir Jones
Analysis - The Steelers end up going with Jones over Cassius Marsh. Jones' special teams play and numerous reps in the preseason get him on the roster
CB (4) - Joe Haden, Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Justin Layne
Analysis - I am personally a bit worried about this group. Very light with only four, but that number will change soon. Let's hope the front seven brings tons of pressure this year once again because I am not particularly confident in anyone after Haden or Sutton (cautiously optimistic about Pierre).
S (4) - Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew and Tre Norwood
Analysis - This unit is LIGHT. This may not be set in stone and both Killebrew and Norwood could be gone if and when the Steelers make additions in the next week or so.
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Special Teams
K (1) - Chris Boswell
Analysis - No surprise here. Boswell is the guy.
P (1) - Pressley Harvin III
Analysis - I wrote an article not too along ago about the changing of the guard at punter and Harvin III just barely beats out Jordan Berry for the starting job.
LS (1) - Christian Kuntz
Analysis - Another well-fought battle as Kuntz outplays veteran Kameron Canaday. With a new holder in Harvin, the hope is that these two can gel together early and cause mistake-free snaps for Boswell.
Any surprises? Click to comment your thoughts on the final roster below!
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