State of the Steelers: 53-man roster projection post-training camp
2023 training camp has come and gone for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Only one preseason game left before week one, the season's start is approaching fast. So what better time to take a look at the state of the roster: Quarterback (3) IN: Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason RudolphOUT: Tanner Morgan** The skinny: Kenny Pickett had […]
2023 training camp has come and gone for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Only one preseason game left before week one, the season's start is approaching fast.
So what better time to take a look at the state of the roster:
Quarterback (3)
IN: Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
OUT: Tanner Morgan**
The skinny: Kenny Pickett had a solid camp as did Mitch Trubisky. Mason Rudolph dominated third-team reps even if Tanner Morgan looked good in what little burn he's received. In the end, Rudolph's experience will be too much and I expect he holds off Morgan, creating a replica of last year's quarterback room.
Running back (4)
IN: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr, Connor Heyward
OUT: Greg Bell, John Lovett, Darius Hagans**
The skinny: Heyward played fullback, running back, and tight end during camp, making him easier for me to position in the backfield. Harris is the obvious headliner, but Warren and McFarland have stood out as third down backs.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin
OUT: Jordan Byrd**, Dan Chisena, Dez Fitzpatrick, Aron Cruickshank, Gunner Olszewski
The Skinny: Pittsburgh released White and Butler while signing Cruickshank shortly after this publishing. That shows they will likely carry five WRs, with the only question about who makes the practice squad.
Tight end (3)
IN: Pat Friermuth, Darnell Washington*, Zach Gentry
OUT: Rodney Williams
The skinny: Whether Heyward is officially listed as a back or a tight end is semantics, but he and the three above are locks to make the team. "Hot Rod" Williams had a good few weeks in Latrobe but he looks to be on the outs, unfortunately.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Nate Herbig, Dylan Cook, Kendrick Green
OUT: Spencer Anderson*, Le'Raven Clark, William Dunkle, Ryan McCollum
The skinny: Following training camp, Le'raven Clark lost his reps at right tackle to Dylan Cook, signaling what could be a swap between the two in terms of who makes the roster. Kendrick Green has continued to struggle, so there is a chance they look elsewhere for a backup center, but he's all they have for right now.

Defensive line (7)
IN: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton*, Larry Ogunjobi, Breiden Fehoko, DeMarvin Leal, Montavius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk
OUT: Armon Watts, Johnathan Marshall, James Nyamwaya** Manny Jones
The skinny: I originally projected Pittsburgh to carry six WRs, leaving Loudermilk on the outside looking in, but he has been too good, and the rest of the wideouts too poor to believe that will happen.
Outside linebacker (4)
IN: T.J Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig*
OUT: David Perales** Quincy Roche, Toby Ndukwe**
The skinny: If camp showed us anything, it's that this group will be special. The depth behind Highmsith and Watt is very good with Herbig and Golden, making me believe this fearsome foursome will be amongst the best in the league.
Inside linebacker (4)
IN: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Kwon Alexander
OUT: Nick Kwiatkowski, Tanner Muse, Chapelle Russell, Kuony Deng
The skinny: While this group has been one of my main concerns when it comes to Pittsburgh's roster, the new additions of Holcomb, Roberts, and Alexander have brought an intensity and physicality that was foreign to the unit prior to their arrival.
Holcomb has also been a plus one in coverage, easing my concern when it comes to that area of the Steelers' defense.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr.* Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan, Elijah Riley
OUT: Duke Dawson, Madre Harper, Chris Wilcox, Luq Barcoo, Isaiah Dunn
The skinny: Elijah Riley has all but cemented himself in the secondary after a strong camp and an even better preseason. Wearing #37 with long flowing hair and a similar body structure, he's not a carbon copy of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, but he's the off-brand version and has flipped the script when it comes to making the roster.
Safety (4)
IN: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Tre Norwood
OUT: Miles Killebrew, Kenny Robinson, Trenton Thompson, Jalen Elliot
The skinny: After Strong camps from both Robinson and Thompson, I wouldn't be shocked if Pittsburgh carried a fifth safety in favor of an extra lineman, but the four at the top should be locks.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin, Christian Kuntz
OUT: Braden Mann, BT Potter**, Rex Sunahara
The skinny: The battle for punter is all but over in my opinion, with Pressley Harvin being the more consistent and often better of the two during the last three weeks, making Mann expendable.
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This group is already on to the next game
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports