Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 53-man roster: Post-Minicamp Edition

The kickoff to the 2025 NFL preseason is less than two months away. With the Steelers now in the down time between OTAs and training camp, it’s time to once again give our way-too-early predictions for the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the 2025 season. With players now actually setting foot on a practice field to run full-team work as part of OTAs, things can come a little more in focus. Still, because the pads have yet to come on it’s difficult to project who the bottom-of-the-roster players will be. Regardless, SCN editor Dave Schofield and senior editor Jeff Hartman will give their input onto their thoughts of who will make the roster come September.

As always, we welcome you to join the conversation in our comment section below this article. Let your voice be heard and join in the black-and-gold conversation!

Offense

Quarterback (3)

Dave: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, TBD

Changes: TBD OUT, Aaron Rodgers In

Analysis: I refused to include a name last time I didn’t think would make it just because a move had not been made. The Steelers were always going to add another quarterback. Now it’s done and we can all move on to worry about other things.

Jeff: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Skylar Thompson, Aaron Rodgers

Changes: Aaron Rodgers IN, Skylar Thompson OUT

Analysis: Aaron Rodgers signed since the last time we did this exercise, and he is clearly the starter. Some might think there is a competition between Will Howard and Skylar Thompson, but Howard was a drafted player. That means something to Omar Khan, and Howard gets the nod as QB3.

Running Back (3)

Dave: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

Changes: None

Analysis: If the Steelers do what they have done recently, look for them to only keep three running backs but have multiple options on the practice squad. What is interesting is two running backs from last year’s practice squad have recently been released. Still, I think these are the three for the 53.

Jeff: Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson

Changes: None

Analysis: The Steelers seem set at the running back position after the drafting of Johnson. To be honest, I really like this running back room.

Fullback (1)

Dave: None DJ Thomas-Jones

Changes: DJ Thomas-Jones IN

Analysis: I’ll probably be flipping back and forth with this one throughout the preseason. Right now there’s not a WR or TE I like better, so I’m giving Thomas-Jones the nod for now.

Jeff: DJ Thomas-Jones

Changes: None

Analysis: The Steelers handed out their most lucrative undrafted rookie free agent contract to a non-quarterback when they signed Thomas-Jones. Arthur Smith loves a person who can block, and still be a threat in the passing game. It’s the reason they brought in Kyle Juszczyk for a visit this offseason. I’m not suggesting Thomas-Jones is that caliber of player, but I think they find a way to keep him on the roster.

Wide Receiver (5)

Dave: DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek

Changes: George Pickens OUT

Analysis: I definitely won’t rule out an addition here, but it’s not a guarantee like it was before at quarterback. There could be 6 players here, but I don’t know which one to pick other than a latter addition.

Jeff: DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Ben Skowronek, Robert Woods

Changes: Robert Woods IN, George Pickens OUT

Analysis: The Steelers could keep six receivers, but I think five is the number I’ll go with at this stage of the process. If I were to add a 6th, it would be recently added Robert Woods to round out the group. After OTAs and minicamp I’ll reassess the situation.

Tight End (3)

Dave: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

Changes: None

Analysis: I didn’t have Donald Parham on the roster the last time, so his injury didn’t change anything for me. So just like WR, I could have another player here but it would be more likely if they added someone else not yet on the 90-man roster.

Jeff: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

Changes: None

Analysis: The Steelers are going to do with a heavy personnel approach with Arthur Smith, and I could see the camp battle being between Thomas-Jones and Connor Heyward for the final spot. All of this very well could come down to special teams play, which is why I have Connor Heyward making the team.

Offensive Line (Dave – 9 / Jeff – 10)

Dave: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping

Changes: None

Analysis: I was once again tempted to only have the Steelers with eight offensive linemen. Max Scharping is my last man on as he was a reserve guy last year. I wish the Steelers had quality depth at offensive line to where it was tough to know how many they would keep, but they don’t right now. This could be a position that continues to add during the preseason, or perhaps an undrafted rookie comes out of nowhere.

Jeff: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping

Changes: None

Analysis: Keeping all 10 of these linemen makes sense, but I could also see someone being added at some point this offseason which would change a lot when looking at the depth chart. Needless to say, I feel confident these are the 10 linemen on the depth chart heading into training camp.

Total Offense: Dave – 24 / Jeff – 25

Defense

Defensive Line (7)

Dave: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, DeMarvin Leal Isaiahh Loudermilk

Changes: DeMarvin Leal OUT, Isaiahh Loudermilk IN

Analysis: I gave into what too many Steelers fans hope for: change for the sake of change. I have no reason to swap Loudermilk in place of Leal, but there are so many possibilities for defensive line depth maybe eventually I’ll hit the right combination. The one I haven’t included yet is Dean Lowry, but I still want to hold on to Logan Lee for now.

Jeff: Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black, Dean Lowry

Changes: None

Analysis: When talking about camp battles, I foresee the same battle I envisioned in 2024 between DeMarvin Leal and Loudermilk. The winner gets a roster spot, the other will be looking for employment elsewhere, or the hopes of being signed to the team’s practice squad. Either way, this will be a position to watch, but I do see them keeping seven players to hopefully limit Cam Heyward’s usage.

Outside Linebacker (4)

Dave: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Changes: None

Analysis: I decided again to have the extra linebacker on the inside, but it could be Jeremiah Moon for special teams.

Jeff: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Changes: None

Analysis: With Sawyer being drafted in the 4th Round of this year’s draft, I think it’s safe to say these are the four players who will be on the roster at OLB, barring injury.

Inside Linebacker (5)

Dave: Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener

Changes: None

Analysis: I like this group if Bruener shows he’s up to it. If not I would look to Mark Robinson instead.

Jeff: Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener

Changes: None

Analysis: It looks as if Holcomb will be returning to the lineup and fully healthy for the first time since 2023. That is a huge boost for this position group, but also makes for unique competition at the end of the room. I see Bruener making the roster for special teams, filling the Tyler Matakevich/Mark Robinson role on the roster.

Cornerback (5)

Dave: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop, Donte Kent

Changes: Donte Kent OUT

Analysis: I’m torn between keeping the extra corner or safety. Last time it was corner. This time I’m switching to safety.

Jeff: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop

Changes: None

Analysis: I could see the Steelers keeping six defensive backs, but for now I have them just sticking with 5, considering how they’ll use many of them in their sub packages. A player like Sebastian Castro could sneak into this prediction as a dual threat defender, but I’m leaving him off for now.

Safety (Dave – 5, Jeff – 4)

Dave: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornill, Miles Killebrew, Sebastian Castro

Changes: Sebastian Castro IN

Analysis: I think the Steelers need depth beyond the top three beyond their special teams captain. If Castro plays well in the preseason that’s a good thing for the Steelers.

Jeff: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornill, Miles Killebrew

Changes: None

Analysis: As I said above in the CB section, I could see someone like Castro finding his way onto the roster, but I’m going to stick with these four at this juncture of the process.

Total Defense: Dave – 26 / Jeff – 25

Special Teams

Specialists (3)

Dave: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: My only question is at punter and Johnston’s full return. Otherwise this is a lock.

Jeff: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes:

Analysis: Nothing to see here, this will be status quo barring an injury.

Total Team: 53

We break down the 53-man roster further on the latest episode of the “Let’s Ride” podcast. You can check out the latest episode in the player below: