A pair of veteran training camp additions have shaken up the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster projection. With injuries opening up opportunities for new faces, safety Curtis Riley and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud appear to have played their way into spots on the 53-man, bumping a pair of recent draft picks.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges
The only battle at this position is between Devlin Hodges and Paxton Lynch for the third-string job. Lynch has been inconsistent at best, and wildly inaccurate at worst. Although a day after missing McCloud by 20 yards, Lynch connected with tight end Zach Gentry in a one-on-on battle thanks to a perfect back-shoulder throw. Even so, Hodges has been the more reliable guy and gets the edge to make the roster.
RUNNING BACK (5): James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., Trey Edmunds
The biggest battle here is Edmunds vs. Kerrith Whyte. Edmunds has an edge for his special teams work, but Whyte's explosiveness was especially valuable against Cincinnati last season. He could be a complementary piece for the running back group, but he sustained an injury and missed at least one practice. He could take Edmunds' spot, but only if he's healthy.
FULLBACK (1): Derek Watt
A free-agent acquisition, Watt joined the Steelers more for his special teams acumen than a potential role in the offense. Watt, though, hasn't been a full go at training camp after dealing with an offseason surgery. He's still expected to be ready for Week 1, per coach Mike Tomlin.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Ryan Switzer, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud
Switzer's spot was the most in question before camp, and it's still the biggest question mark -- but for a different reason. Switzer looked leaner, quicker and stronger in the first week and a half of padded practice, and his rapport with Roethlisberger was still intact. But he injured his foot in a closed practice and is described as day-to-day by Tomlin. He's missed at least one practice, and if the injury is severe, the Steelers might have to start coming up with back-up plans for his spot. McCloud is a good option to fill in, and he's shown flashes in special teams work. In a kickoff return, he found a hole and ran the ball all the way to the opposite tunnel.
TIGHT END (3): Vance McDonald, Eric Ebron, Zach Gentry
Offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor said the offense is pretty quiet compared to the chirpy defense, but Ebron is the exception to that rule. The former Colt joined the Steelers in free agency and brings energy to the team that will be crucial when they play without fans in September -- and possibly beyond.
"It's just who I am, honestly," Ebron said during camp. "I just go out there having fun. We don't play music, so I have to find some kind of way to get my energy going -- to just be who I am and be the player I want to be whether it's practice or a game."
Ebron and McDonald will be frequently used in two tight end sets, while Gentry will make the roster for depth -- especially as he continues to show his potential in camp practices.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Alejandro Villanueva, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zach Banner, Kevin Dotson, Stefen Wisniewski
With contracts coming up next season and the group aging, this could be the last season for the core of the Steelers' offensive line. The right tackle job is still up for grabs between Banner and Okorafor, and the decision could come down to game week of the season-opener in New York. Though offensive line is an area where depth is valued and often needed, Derwin Gray loses a spot to make room for the extra receiver.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Dan McCullers, Isaiah Buggs, Chris Wormley
Wormley gets a spot because of his experience, but he needs to get healthy -- and quick. The former Ravens defensive lineman, who joined the team via trade, has been limited since the pads came on, missing full days of practice at times. But Alualu said he's still able to see Wormley's technically-sound abilities and is confident he can fill in for either Tuitt or Heyward when one needs a break.
LINEBACKER (8): T.J. Watt, Vince Williams, Devin Bush, Bud Dupree, Ulysees Gilbert III, Ola Adeniyi, Alex Highsmith, Robert Spillane
As the Steelers' 2020 third-round draft pick, Highsmith's roster spot was almost always guaranteed, but he's only solidified in camp. He's earned the attention of Tomlin, who notoriously keeps from heaping praise on young players early in camp, saying the rookie is playing like he belongs. With Dupree banged up, Highsmith has taken some first-team reps. Watt said after last season he learned that he and Dupree can't take every single rep, opening a window for Highsmith to get on the field earlier than expected.
SECONDARY (10): Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Mike Hilton, Justin Layne, Cameron Sutton, Jordan Dangerfield, Curtis Riley, Marcus Allen
It was a tough call between Riley, Allen and Antonie Brooks Jr. for the final spots in the secondary. Ultimately, Allen and Riley make the roster because both have versatility to plug holes in areas where the Steelers lack depth -- even though it means parting with a draft pick. With Edmunds missing time in training camp because of an injury, Riley has taken more snaps alongside Fitzpatrick. It's a good window into what could happen if either starting safety has to miss time in the regular season. Allen has flashed in camp, but the Steelers need Riley's experience, and they invested a draft pick in Brooks. Allen, though listed as a defensive back, took reps with the inside linebackers during camp. Tomlin, who always has been impressed with Allen's physical skills, has noticed a football intelligence and communication ability that allows him to play both roles.
SPECIALIST (3): Chris Boswell, Jordan Berry, Kam Canaday
Status quo holds here -- unless Canaday's injury is more severe than Tomlin lets on. Entering his fourth year in Pittsburgh, Canaday sustained a knee injury during practice on Aug. 22, and the Steelers brought in former Ohio State long snapper Liam McCullough less than a week later. If Canaday's injury doesn't improve, the Steelers could be forced to go in a different direction.