With the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in full swing and the first preseason game right around the corner, the team still has some questions to be answered. There are multiple position battles on both sides of the line of scrimmage and plenty of new faces in the locker room. Not only do the Steelers have new faces on the field but they also had a significant amount of coaching changes in their front office. With all of these changes, Steeler fans can expect the Steelers' roster to look quite different than it did in 2021. Here are some predictions for what the offensive 53-man roster will look like for the Steelers in Week 1:
Steelers' Quarterback Prediction:
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett (#8), Mitch Trubisky (#10), and Mason Rudolph (#2) participate in 2022 training camp at the team's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Mitch Trubisky
- Kenny Pickett
- Chris Oladokun
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Steelers will not have Ben Roethlisberger under center. All three quarterbacks that will be on the roster for the start of the 2022 season are new to the organization. Long-time backup quarterback Mason Rudolph has been rumored to have been having a tremendous training camp so far, but will likely be traded at some point before the start of the season. As stated recently by head coach Mike Tomlin, former Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky would be the Week 1 one starter against the Cincinnati Bengals if the season were to start today.
That of course followed by rookies Kenny Pickett and Chris Oladokun. It is certain that at some point this season Steeler fans will see Pickett starting at quarterback however, Trubisky's veteran presence and previous NFL experience will give him the slight edge and starting spot heading into the regular season.
Steelers' Running Back Prediction:
Steelers' Najee Harris during training camp. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Najee Harris
- Benny Snell Jr.
- Anthony McFarland Jr.
- Jaylen Warren
- Derek Watt
To say rookie running back Najee Harris was overworked last season would be an understatement. In just his first season in the NFL, Harris was fourth in the entire league in carries. That did however translate to a very successful season where he rushed for 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns. This season the Steelers will be looking to cut back on carries for Harris, due to the fact that both Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. are back. The Steelers also signed UDFA Jaylen Warren. Warren has impressed many so far during training camp and I would expect him to find a spot on the roster Week 1.
Steelers' Wide Receiver Prediction:
Steelers' 2nd-Round pick George Pickens has been dominant in his first training camp with the Steelers.| Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Diontae Johnson
- Chase Claypool
- George Pickens
- Calvin Austin III
- Gunner Olszewski
The Steelers' receiver room is also going to have a different look than it did in 2021. With the subtractions of Juju Smith-Schuster and Ray-Ray McCloud this off-season, the Steelers looked to the draft and free agency to reload the receiver position. George Pickens is the new face that Steeler fans should get used to seeing. He has been the most talked about player coming out of training camp, and Pickens has been making a name for himself due to his competitiveness and playmaking ability during one-on-one drills.
The Steelers may look back on the Pickens selection and realize they had one of the biggest steals of the draft in recent years. Diontae Johnson will be the team's number one receiver heading into the 2022 season. Johnson has returned to a full participant in practice after signing a 3-year $39.5 million extension with the Steelers. In 2021, Johnson put up exceptional numbers and finished the season with over 1,100 yards receiving.
Calvin Austin III brings a unique skill set to the table for the Steelers. He may not have the build that most wide receivers do in the NFL, but he uses his speed and quickness on routes to create separation. He adds a deep ball threat to the offense, something the Steelers haven't had in quite a while. Gunner Olszewski will fill in the shoes of McCloud from a season ago. McCloud was both a receiver in the slot and a return man. Although Olszewski may not get as many snaps as McCloud did a year ago, he will indeed be the team's punt and kick returner this season.
Steelers' Tight End Prediction:
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth will look to build on an impressive rookie season in 2021. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Pat Freiermuth
- Zach Gentry
- Connor Heyward
The tight end position will look pretty similar to how it looked in 2021. Pat Freiermuth will be back for his second year and will look to build off of an impressive rookie season last year. Freiermuth ended the season with 60 receptions for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns. He quickly became one of the top young tight ends in the NFL.
Zach Gentry came on late into the season following a season-ending injury suffered by Eric Ebron. Gentry finished the season with only 19 receptions and 167 yards. Although his stat line wasn't too impressive, his presence was felt in the run game and he will have a big role yet again in 2022.
Connor Heyward will be the team's third tight end. Connor is the younger brother of Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward. I would expect him to play a fair amount for a third-string rookie tight end. Heyward also has a lot of versatility. He not only is a tight end, but he played fullback in college as well. This will leave coach Tomlin with many different ways to use him.
Steelers' Offensive Line Prediction:
Steelers' offensive lineman Kendrick Green (left) and Kevin Dotson (right) | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Chukwuma Okorafor
- James Daniels
- Mason Cole
- Kendrick Green
- Kevin Dotson
- Dan Moore Jr.
- J.C Hassenauer
- John Leglue
One of the biggest black eyes on the Steelers in 2021 was their offensive line. They both struggled to protect the quarterback and help get any sort of run game going. During this off-season, the Steelers' front office spent a tremendous amount of time and money to fill the holes on the line. One of the biggest signings was of former Bears guard James Daniels. He signed a 3-year $26.5 million deal this off-season with the Steelers. Daniels gives the Steelers versatility and can play both guard and center.
Mason Cole was another player the Steelers are turning to for answers at the center position. Cole started seven games a year ago with the Minnesota Vikings and like Daniels, has NFL experience at both guard and center.
One player that is looking to bounce back after an underwhelming rookie season is Kendrick Green. Green last season struggled to fill the shoes of long-time center Maurkice Pouncey. Just until recently, Green expressed how uncomfortable he felt at center and how he thinks that he can be a lot better at guard.
What do you think of these predictions Steeler Nation? What changes would you make? Let us know in the comment section below or on my Twitter @collinlschmitt
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