Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 53-man roster: Post Preseason Week 1 Edition

The kickoff to the 2025 NFL preseason is just underway. With the Steelers having two more preseason games , it’s time to once again give our somewhat early predictions for the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the 2025 season. With players now actually setting foot on a game field against a different opponent, things can come a little more in focus. Still, because there are two more games it’s difficult to fully 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

Changes: None

Analysis: I think this comes down to if Will Howard can play in the preseason. If he does, he’ll be on the roster. If not, the Steelers will put him on IR and keep Skylar Thompson. For now I’m hopeful Howard will play by game three.

Jeff: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Aaron Rodgers

Changes: None

Analysis: I was really close to changing this list and having Skylar Thompson in the Top 3 quarterbacks, but this was based solely on Will Howard’s injured throwing hand. I think the team wants to keep Howard on the roster, and they might have to put him on the 53, with Thompson, to then move him to Injured Reserve. Nonetheless, I’ll stick with these three for now.

Running Back (3)

Dave: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

Changes: None

Analysis: Trey Sermon is making a case to be on this list, but I haven’t found a spot for him yet.

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. A move I could see happening would be Trey Sermon making the roster as a return man, depth and special teams player, but I’ll keep with this group for now.

Fullback (Dave – 0, Jeff – 1)

Dave: DJ Thomas-Jones None

Changes: DJ Thomas-Jones OUT

Analysis: He wasn’t healthy enough to play Week 1, so I think he’s more in line for the practice squad for now.

Jeff: DJ Thomas-Jones Max Hurleman

Changes: DJ Thomas-Jones OUT, Max Hurleman IN

Analysis: I’m going to cheat here a bit, and I think the Steelers find a way to get one of these hybrid style running backs on the roster. Could it still be DJ Thomas-Jones? I could, but he is going to have to get back on the field and start making plays. Essentially everything Max Hurleman did vs. the Jaguars Saturday night. Hurleman could be that RB/FB/TE hybrid player the team has been looking for over the last few years.

Wide Receiver (Dave – 6, Jeff – 5)

Dave: DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller

Changes: Scotty Miller IN

Analysis: I think the Steelers keep Miller and try to get Roc Taylor and Ke’Shawn Williams on the practice squad

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I am fully expecting the Steelers to 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 Scotty Miller, but for now I’ll stick with the five players above.

Tight End (4)

Dave: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Jonnu Smith

Changes: Jonnu Smith IN

Analysis: The trade for Jonnu Smith hadn’t happened yet the last time, so he’s an addition. I’d like to throw Max Hurleman in here even as a RB, but he’s a great candidate for the practice squad unless they can find a spot for him.

Jeff: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Jonnu Smith

Changes: Jonnu Smith IN

Analysis: The Steelers are going to do with a heavy personnel approach with Arthur Smith, and the trade for Jonnu Smith makes that even more obvious. Some fans are wondering why Connor Heyward has a spot on the team, and it comes down to special teams play, which is why I have Connor Heyward making the team.

Offensive Line (9)

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

Changes: Max Scharping OUT, Andrus Peat IN

Analysis: I was really tempted to have Dylan Cook here instead of Peat, but I’m going with the newly added veteran unless he doesn’t progress over the next two games. I’m also wavering on Ryan McCullum due to unavailability, but not ready to remove him yet.

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

Changes: Calvin Anderson OUT

Analysis: I could see the Steelers having a battle for the final spot on the nine offensive linemen being between Scharping and recently added Andrus Peat. Dave clearly made the switch, but I went with one less offensive linemen and decided the team will likely keep 9 total heading into the season. Unfortunately, Anderson’s injury is what is keeping him out of the 53-man roster.

Total Offense: Dave –  25 / Jeff – 25

Defense

Defensive Line (6)

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

Changes: Isaiahh Loudermilk OUT

Analysis: I’m starting to think the Steelers are going with six players here. Dean Lowry is on IR and DeMarvin Leal is now an outside linebacker. I don’t think Isaiahh Loudermilk is more valuable than a player in the secondary. Unfortunately the Steelers probably don’t agree with me.

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

Changes: Dean Lowry OUT

Analysis: There is a good chance the Steelers keep 7 defensive linemen, but I’ll go with six at this point. At this juncture of the offseason you have the decision between two players like Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale. Loudermilk was noticeable vs. the Jaguars, but for all the wrong reasons. Things can change quickly, as Lowry saw with his season ending with a torn ACL.

Outside Linebacker (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: If they keep a fifth player, it would now be DeMarvin Leal. But I think there is better special teams value other places.

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 Mark Robinson

Changes: Carson Bruener OUT, Mark Robinson IN

Analysis: I’m not sure between Robinson and Bruener, so I switched them this time. The other is likely someone they try to get on the practice squad.

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 (6)

Dave: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop, James Pierre

Changes: Cory Trice OUT, Jalen Ramsey and James Pierre IN

Analysis: By adding Ramsey the Steelers also get depth at safety in case there’s a problem. I’m also swapping Pierre for Trice. The unavailability is catching up with him and there’s really no reason to continue to hold on to a 7th round pick who is never healthy no matter how much potential he has. Maybe he lands on IR. But Pierre gets the last spot because of special teams where Trice can’t show his value there at this time. I’m still not convinced Beanie Bishop is going to make it either, but I’m not ready to move on yet.

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

Changes: Jalen Ramsey IN

Analysis: I understand the Steelers potentially going with James Pierre over Cory Trice, for special teams reasons, but to me the biggest thing is health. If Trice can stay healthy, and fill a role on special teams, he is a much better depth piece compared to James Pierre. So, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and hope Trice returns to practice soon, or else he could be the odd man out.

Safety (4)

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

Changes: Minkah Fitzpatrick and Sebastian Castro OUT, Chuck Clark IN

Analysis: The swapping of Fitzpatrick and Clark are just reflective of the current roster. With Ramsey able to play safety if needed, Castro is now more likely for the practice squad.

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

Changes: Minkah Fitzpatrick OUT, Chuck Clark IN

Analysis: I could see someone like Sebastian Castro finding his way onto the roster, but he’ll have to really show out to make this team. Other than that, signing a veteran like Clark is likely the plan unless they see something from an undrafted player like Castro. I’m going to stick with these four at this juncture of the process.

Total Defense: Dave – 25 / Jeff – 25

Special Teams

Specialists (3)

Dave: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: Corliss Waitmain had the advantage after one week. I’m not ready to make the switch now, but I’m a whole lot closer.

Jeff: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

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

Total Team: 53