Trimming the roster, a first look
It wasn’t too long ago, looking at the Steelers’ roster and trying to find 53 NFL-caliber players was a stretch. The team just didn’t have great depth in 2012 and 2013.
But that has changed dramatically. Though the Steelers do have some trouble areas – tight end in particular – they have a pretty deep roster.
First cutdowns to 75 players are due next Tuesday, with the final cutdown to 53 players coming after the team’s Sept. 1 preseason game at Carolina. Here’s how things look right now:
Quarterbacks: (3) Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski is the wildcard here. Will his injured hamstring linger long into the season? If the Steelers think it will be a lengthy rehab, they could look elsewhere or go with two quarterbacks to start the season. Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin both believe in keeping three quarterbacks on the roster.
Running backs/Fullbacks: (4) Le’Veon Bell will be moved to the reserve/suspended list when they cut down to 53 players. That will leave the Steelers with DeAngelo Williams, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Daryl Richardson and fullback Roosevelt Nix to start the season.
Wide receivers: (6) Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Sammie Coates, Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Cobi Hamilton. Keep an eye on Cobi Hamilton, Demarcus Ayers and Marcus Tucker. Hamilton was a late arrival into camp, but the coaching staff likes the big-bodied receiver’s work thus far – though he could have made a better attempt at a fade against Philadelphia. Ayers could open some eyes with a good punt return or two, while Tucker has been getting extensive looks as a gunner. With Ross Ventrone gone, the Steelers could use somebody in that capacity.
Tight ends: (3) Jesse James, David Johnson and ?. At this point, I think Ladarius Green will open the season on the PUP list, which means he can’t start practicing until Week 6. As I have continued to say, I don’t think concussions are the issue. His ankle still isn’t quite ready and the Steelers will do some things – four WR sets, etc. – to make up for the fact they don’t have a true starting quality tight end. The question mark right now is because I believe they’ll sign somebody who gets cut loose by another team. Xavier Grimble has had his moments, but he’s too inconsistent and offers little as a blocker. Jesse James isn’t a starting quality tight end either as a blocker or receiver and David Johnson is a pure blocking tight end. We’ll see who becomes available in another week. The Steelers could use rookie offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins as an extra blocker.
Offensive line (9): Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Ryan Harris, Cody Wallace, Chris Hubbard and Jerald Hawkins. This is pretty straight forward, though guard/center B.J. Finney can play in the league as well.
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Daniel McCullers, Ricardo Matthews, Javon Hargrave, Caushaud Lyons. L.T. Walton and Lyons are neck and neck. I like Lyons’ size and athleticism a little better. But it could go the other way with a strong game by Walton.
Linebackers (10): Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Vince Williams, L.J. Fort, Anthony Chickillo, Travis Feeney. This is a really, really tough position to cut. Chickillo has been a practice superstar. I’d like to see him do something in a game. But with Harrison set to retire at the end of the year and Jones a free agent, the Steelers have to keep an eye on their depth at OLB. Feeney’s 4.4 speed gives him an edge over Tyler Matakevich, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Dirty Red stick. He’s just so instinctual. But every college team in the country has an undersized overachiever who’s a team captain and leading tackler. That’s no knock on Matakevich. But he’ll likely never become an NFL starter because of his size/speed limitations. The Steelers likely will be able to get him onto the practice squad. The really tough cut is veteran Steven Johnson. The Steelers don’t typically release veteran players that they sign in the offseason, but Fort has just been better.
Defensive backs (9): William Gay, Ross Cockrell, Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, Shamarko Thomas, Doran Grant, Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Donald Washington. This is a thin group, especially considering Burns has missed a healthy portion of training camp. And he’s now not expected to play against New Orleans Friday. But there’s a reason why the Steelers are looking at Grant, a cornerback by trade, at safety and Davis, a safety by trade, at cornerback in the slot. They know the numbers here aren’t adding up to nine players. They can also hold out hope that Senquez Golson will be ready to return from injured reserve – where he’ll be placed when they cut to 53 – in late October or early November. Al-Hajj Shabazz and Montel Garner can probably be stashed on the practice squad. Veteran Donald Washington is not eligible, so it’s roster or bust for him.
Specialists: (3) Not much drama here as Jordan Berry will be the punter, Chris Boswell the placekicker and Greg Warren the long snapper.