Steelers 53-Man Roster Prediction After The Results Of The 2023 NFL Draft

With the 2023 NFL Draft officially in the books, it is time to further evaluate the roster of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Below you will find a prediction of the initial 53-man roster for the 2023 Steelers! 

Offensive Predictions

Quarterback (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Tanner Morgan

The Steelers did not add a quarterback during the 2023 NFL Draft, but were able to bring in Morgan as an undrafted free agent. The former Minnesota product threw for over 9,000 career passing yards during his time in college and 65 touchdowns. The Steelers will inevitably add another quarterback to the roster at some point. However, until they do so, Morgan is your QB3.

Running Back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Master Teague  

Both Harris and Warren will carry the bulk of the rushing attack for the Steelers' offense in 2023. The third running back will primarily be a special teams player who may occasionally see the field on offense in certain situations. Benny Snell Jr., the team's third running back in 2022, is currently a free agent. While the Steelers bringing him back is certainly still on the table, Teague may be able to serve a similar role next season. 

The former Ohio State running back was impressive in the 2022 preseason and training camp for the Steelers, but had his rookie campaign cut short after sustaining a low ankle sprain during a practice in August. 

If he is able to prove he can contribute on special teams, he may be a viable option to replace Snell. Anthony McFarland Jr. and undrafted free agent signing, Jordan Byrd will also have the ability to claim the last spot at running back in 2023.

Tight End / Fullback (4): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington

Freiermuth, Gentry, and Washington are perhaps the most formidable trio of tight ends the Steelers have had in quite some time. With Freiermuth poised to prove himself as a top-10 player at the position in 2023, he will be a critical component in the team's passing game. Both Gentry and Washington will play a similar role next season as the team's primary blocking tight ends.

Do not be surprised if the Steelers run a lot of 12 personnel next season with both Gentry and Washington serving as essentially offensive linemen. 

With Derek Watt likely out of the picture in 2023, the Steelers will be in need of a fullback. Luckily, the team already has a player on their roster who has experience in this role during their time in college: Connor Heyward. While Heyward will still most likely play a role as a tight end, he may be asked to play an expanded role for the offense next season. 

Having Heyward serve as the de-facto fullback allows the Steelers to keep both Gentry and Washington on the roster, which will be absolutely huge for the running game. 

Offensive Line (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Nate Herbig, Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Le'Raven Clark

Offensive Line is perhaps the most difficult position to predict, as the team normally keeps anywhere from eight to ten players at the position during the regular season. The starting group in Jones, Seumalo, Cole, Daniels and Okorafor is most likely set, but there will be fierce competition for the backup roles in 2023. 

For now, the Steelers have both Moore and Dotson on the roster, who were both starters in 2022. The Steelers may ultimately look to move one, or both of them via trade at some point this offseason, but for now, the two will be the primary backups at guard and tackle next season.

Wide Receiver (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robison II, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin, Anthony Miller

Wide receiver is another difficult position group to predict. Johnson, Pickens, Robinson II and Austin III will be your top four going in to 2023 and Boykin is a strong candidate to make the roster with his tremendous special teams play. For the sixth and final spot at receiver, the Steelers may look to Anthony Miller over the likes of Gunner Olszewski and Cody White. 

Miller is a proven slot receiver who can also return punts and kicks. If he can remain healthy, he may be able to challenge Austin III for offensive snaps in 2023.

Defensive Predictions

Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Armon Watts, Isiahh Loudermilk 

Defensive line is an extremely deep group of players for the Steelers in 2023. Both Heyward and Ogunjobi will be starters next season, but there is question as to who will start alongside them at nose tackle next season. Benton, a second-round pick in 2023, will have a strong opportunity to do so with his impressive size and ability to clog up running lanes. Watts, along with Breiden Fehoko (who was left off the list) will also compete to start in 2023.

Outside Linebacker (4): TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Quincy Roche

The Steelers' possess one of the most dynamic duos at outside linebacker in the entire NFL with Watt and Highsmith. With the addition of Herbig during the 2023 NFL Draft and Roche, the Steelers should feel fairly confident in not only their starters at edge rusher, but also the depth going in to next season. 

However, pass rusher is such a premium position and the team may decide to add another veteran free agent at some point this offseason to help round out the group.

Inside Linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Tanner Muse, *Myles Jack

Inside linebacker is the positional group that has undergone the most changes this offseason. Holcomb and Roberts, who are new to the team in 2023, are the favorites to start next season. However, Robinson, who finished his 2022 rookie campaign strong, may be able to challenge them if he plays well in the preseason and proves he is capable of being a three-down linebacker. Muse, also new in 2023, will be primarily a core-four special teams player. 

Jack, who is currently a free agent, may be a logical candidate for the Steelers to look at and re-sign to add a veteran presence to the inside linebacker room. He was the team's leading tackler in 2022 and was very well-liked inside the locker room. If he is willing to return to Pittsburgh on a team-friendly deal, he may be back with the Steelers.

Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Tre Norwood, Miles Killebrew 

Safety is another position the team did not elect to address during the 2023 NFL Draft. Both Kazee and Neal will play a significant role for the team in 2023 alongside Fitzpatrick, with Kazee likely playing slightly more snaps due to his familiarity with the defense. From there, Norwood will likely continue to play both safety and slot corner in 2023 and Killebrew will serve as a core-four special teams player. There is also a chance the team looks to add to this group prior to training camp.

Cornerback (5): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon, Chandon Sullivan

With Norwood also essentially being a cornerback, the team may feel comfortable in going with only five corners next season. Peterson and Wallace may be your starters on opening day, but it may not be long before the team turns to Porter Jr. to replace Wallace. 

Witherspoon is perhaps the biggest wild card of the group after coming off a disappointing 2022 campaign, and may end up being a cap casualty before training camp. Sullivan over Arthur Maulet at slot corner is a tough decision to make, but Sullivan gets the edge for now. 

Special Teams Predictions

Kicker: Chris Boswell

Undrafted free agent, B.T. Potter may provide some competition, but Boswell should be back in 2023.

Punter: Braden Mann

Going with Mann over Pressley Harvin III. Harvin has been inconsistent over his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. Mann should get the nod barring anything unexpected happening.

Long Snapper: Christian Kuntz

Kuntz was solid for the Steelers in 2022 and should be back in the fold in 2023. 

Thoughts On The Current Steelers' Roster? 

How do Yinz feel about this 53-man roster prediction? Which players do you think were left out? Would love to hear some feedback in the comments! 

#SteelerNation