Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 53-man roster: Post Preseason Week 2 Edition

The 2025 NFL preseason is now more than half way complete. With the Steelers only having one more preseason game, 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 setting foot on a game field against a different opponent multiple times, things can come a little more in focus. Still, because there is more game it’s tricky 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 at the end of August.

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 Skylar Thompson

Changes: Howard OUT, Thompson IN

Analysis: With the last Preseason game only days away, I don’t think Will Howard will be able to play and will therefore be one of the two players the Steelers can have go straight to IR but eligible to return to start the season.

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

Changes: Howard OUT, Thompson IN

Analysis: With the Steelers 6th Round draft pick, Will Howard, likely to miss the entire preseason, I can’t foresee a way the team has him on the roster to start the season. I don’t think they are going to cut him, but I can see him going on IR, like Dave suggested above, and sticking with Rodgers, Rudolph and Thompson until Howard is capable of potentially returning.

Running Back (3)

Dave: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

Changes: None

Analysis: Now it’s also Lew Nichols along with Trey Sermon making a case for the roster. But I think both are good candidates for the practice squad.

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 or Lew Nichols 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: None

Changes: None

Analysis: There isn’t a player on the roster as a pure fullback I would put here.

Jeff: Max Hurleman

Changes: None

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. At one point I thought it would be DJ Thomas-Jones, but he was waived injured over a week ago. Hurleman could be that RB/FB/TE hybrid player the team has been looking for over the last few years. If only he was able to hold onto the bullet pass from Mason Rudolph Saturday night vs. Tampa Bay I feel he would have an even better shot at making the 53-man roster, but I still think the Steelers like Hurleman.

Wide Receiver (5)

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

Changes: Robert Woods OUT

Analysis: Seeing when Woods takes the fields compared to others has me thinking he might not have a spot with Miller playing so well. I’d put someone else in, but I can’t decide who.

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

Changes: Robert Woods OUT, Scotty Miller IN

Analysis: I am fully expecting the Steelers to keep six receivers, but I think Woods might be the odd man out in this group. If I were to add a 6th, it would be Woods, but for now I’ll stick with the five players above. I also think the Steelers will add a receiver to the roster, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Tight End (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: Max Hurleman came back to reality a bit in the second game which gave me no reason to change things here.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: Some fans are wondering why Connor Heyward has a spot on the team, and it comes down to special teams play. Heyward is one of the Steelers primary special teamers on the roster. Throw in Aaron Rodgers waxing poetic about Connor Heyward, and this which is why I have Connor Heyward making the team.

Offensive Line (Dave – 10, Jeff – 9)

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

Changes: Dylan Cook IN

Analysis: I can’t believe I’m up to 10 linemen now after being tempted to go with 8 earlier this offseason. My big reason now is health. With Calvin Anderson and Ryan McCollum being out recently, at least one of them is possible to start the season on IR. For now I have all 10 players in case those guys are on the 53 but not quite ready. It helps that both Peat and Cook played well in Week 2.

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

Changes: Calvin Anderson IN, Dylan Cook 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 the last time we did predictions, but I went with one less offensive linemen and decided the team will likely keep 9 total heading into the season. The Anderson injury has thrown a wrench into plans, but Dylan Cook hasn’t really proven himself as the next swing tackle. If Anderson can get back soon, I think his job will be waiting for him.

Total Offense: Dave –  25 / Jeff – 25

Defense

Defensive Line (6)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I still like only keeping 6 here. Not a fan of Loudermilk, but Ekuale hasn’t looked great either.

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

Changes: None

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  players like Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale. Things can change quickly, as we saw when Dean Lowry saw his season end 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, Eku Leota has but his name in there along with DeMarvin Leal. But I still 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. If they want to add a 5th, I’d go with Eku Leota, but I don’t think that happens barring an injury.

Inside Linebacker (5)

Dave: Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson

Changes: None

Analysis: I’m still not sure between Robinson and Bruener, but I didn’t see enough this week to make a change. 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 is 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, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop, James Pierre

Changes: None

Analysis: I can’t put Trice in there with him not playing. I would like to put someone in over James Pierre, but the top player I saw from Week 2 was D’Shawn Jamison and I’m not ready to put him in here. The other option is to keep another safety.

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

Changes: Cory Trice OUT, James Pierre IN

Analysis: Your best ability if your availability, and Trice just can’t stay healthy. Barring Trice from getting back to the practice field soon, the Steelers need players who are both capable and versatile. Trice is a better cornerback than Pierre, but Pierre’s special teams ability and cornerback depth gives him the nod right now. I could see Trice starting the year on IR if he doesn’t get back to practice soon.

Safety (4)

Dave: DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornill, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark

Changes: None

Analysis: I was tempted to add Sebastian Castro back here, but I don’t know if they need another safety if Jalen Ramsey can also play some.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I could see someone like Sebastian Castro finding his way onto the roster, but he hasn’t really shown out like he would have to make this team. Other than that, signing a veteran like Clark is the plan moving forward. 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 Waitman is making a strong case, so I’m not so sure. I also hope Christian Kuntz truly is okay.

Jeff: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None…for now

Analysis: The Steelers will be adding a new long snapper soon. If Kuntz avoided a season-ending injury, that’s great, but I still think they’ll be adding another long snapper.

Total Team: 53