Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 53-man roster: The final forecast

The 2025 NFL preseason is now complete. With the Steelers having the first game of the final week, there is a little bit more time to reflect on our predictions for the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the 2025 season. With players now done setting foot on a game field against a different opponent, things have come as much into focus as we can get. Still, because of things like injuries, 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 next Tuesday.

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, Skylar Thompson (*Will Howard to IR)

Changes: None

Analysis: No, I’m not putting Thompson ahead of Rudolph. I think his fate lies with what they do with Will Howard, and I also think Howard missing the first four weeks on IR gives the Steelers opportunity to trade Thompson to a team early in the season, if they can’t do it before, who had a quarterback either go down with injury or play very poorly. I think Thompson is on a 53 this season, I just don’t know if it’s in Pittsburgh.

Jeff: Mason Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson (*Howard to IR)

Changes: None

Analysis: With the Steelers 6th Round draft pick, Will Howard, missing 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, and 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: I really like Lew Nichols and Trey Sermon, who both made a case to make the roster. I think both are good candidates for the practice squad unless the Steelers go with four.

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 think this is the group to start the season.

Fullback (Dave – 0, Jeff – 1)

Dave: None

Changes: None

Analysis: There still 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 want a way hybrid style running back on the roster. Hurleman could be that RB/FB/TE hybrid player the team has been looking for over the last few years. I think the Steelers like Hurleman, and I think he has a spot on the team, even though he’s likely a game day inactive most weeks.

Wide Receiver (5)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: This one is tough because of health. Are Calvin Austin and Ben Skowronek healthy enough to make the roster? Would either of them be a candidate for IR? If the Steelers are going to use their two IR spots elsewhere, this is a place I could see one of the young receivers, or even possibly Robert Woods, kept and Scotty Miller released until the move can be made the next day. Miller has the easiest contract to do so.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I was fully expecting the Steelers to keep six receivers, but I think they might go with 5 based on their tight end room. If I were to add a 6th, it would be Robert Woods, but for now I’ll stick with the five players above. I also think Scotty Miller made himself un-cuttable after his stellar preseason.

Tight End (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: Maybe Max Hurleman has made a case to squeeze in here, but it would be an addition, not a replacement. They very well could keep five players, but for now I’m using the roster spot somewhere else.

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 (9)

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

Changes: Calvin Anderson OUT (IR)

Analysis: I can’t keep 10 linemen. Andrus Peat has played well. Dylan Cook also has if you ignore the penalties, which is something you cannot do. I don’t know what is going on with Calvin Anderson, hence why I have him going to IR.

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

Changes: Calvin Anderson OUT, Dylan Cook IN, Max Sharping OUT, Andrus Peat IN

Analysis: The Anderson injury has thrown a wrench into plans, and I think it could land him on IR, like Dave suggested. That would mean Dylan Cook would be the next swing tackle by default. If Anderson can get back soon, I think his job will be waiting for him, but this is the initial 53-man roster. I also think Andrus Peat has done enough to make this roster, and Sharping is the odd man out in this regard with Ryan McCollom returning to the lineup.

Total Offense: Dave –  24 / Jeff – 25

Defense

Defensive Line (Dave – 7, Jeff – 6)

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

Changes: Isaiahh Loudermilk IN

Analysis: I don’t want to do it, but the Steelers think much more of Loudermilk than I do. Chances are it’s Logan Lee as the last player in their eyes. But after the injury to Derrick Harmon in the final game which could keep him out a few games, I’m going back to keeping seven here.

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. If there is a position I think I’ll swing-and-miss, it’s this one.  At this juncture of the offseason you have the decision between players like Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale. It was tough to gauge for me throughout the preseason.

Outside Linebacker (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: DeMarvin Leal is very curious. He can stand out in a good way, then turn around and get noticed for the wrong reasons. After switching positions, I don’t know what the Steelers think of him. Personally, I think special teams value other places is higher.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: 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 without a new and sudden injury.

Inside Linebacker (5)

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

Changes: Carson Bruener IN, Mark Robinson OUT

Analysis: I think the decision between Robinson and Bruener might be the toughest one to make. Maybe the Steelers find a way to keep them both. For now, I’m going younger.

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

Changes: None

Analysis: Holcomb being fully healthy for the first time since 2023 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 over Mark Robinson.

Cornerback (6)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: This one is weird. The top four are guys who will see the field outside of injuries. I think Pierre gets a special teams spot. Do the Steelers want to keep a third player in the slot with Beanie Bishop, or does Ramsey’s and Echol’s ability to play inside reduce the need? Why didn’t Bishop play in the last preseason game? Are they wanting to try to sneak him onto the practice squad? I will say the I’m to the point with Cory Trice the options I’m looking at for him are cut or put him on IR.

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

Changes: Beanie Bishop OUT, Cory Trice IN

Analysis: I think Cory Trice returning to practice in a limited capacity, combined with Brandin Echols proving his value in the secondary, spells the end of the road for Beanie Bishop in Pittsburgh. Bishop doesn’t provide much, if anything, on special teams, and Echols is an upgrade of what Bishop provides on the defensive side of the ball. Trice is quality depth on the outside, if healthy, and would give them an option before having to put James Pierre out on the field. This is all assuming Trice will be healthy for Week 1, which is a big question at this point.

Safety (4)

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

Changes: None

Analysis: I think this might be the easiest one of them all. Watch me get it wrong.

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 – 26 / Jeff – 25

Special Teams

Specialists (3)

Dave: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None

Analysis: I was going to say the punter was a coin flip, but I’m now leaning to Johnston. I also hope Kuntz is healthy to start the season.

Jeff: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz

Changes: None…for now

Analysis: The Steelers have said Kuntz’s injury isn’t long term, labeling it as a sternum injury. I can’t say I’d be shocked if he goes on IR to start the season and the team goes with another long snapper in his place. Ultimately, it will come down to that. As for the punting duties, I think Johnston won that battle and is ready to go in Week 1.

Total Team: 53

A more complete breakdown of our choices can be heard below on the Let’s Ride podcast: