PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp on July 26 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the first practice will happen a day later.
The Steelers, who lost their wild-card game to the Kansas City Chiefs to end the 2021 season, enter this year in search of Ben Roethlisberger's replacement. Finding their next quarterback is the most pressing issue, but it's not the only question the Steelers must answer at training camp. There's also the matter of finding a leader among a young wide receiver corps after JuJu Smith-Schuster departed for Kansas City. And the Steelers have to develop depth on the defensive line following Stephon Tuitt's retirement.
Here's a 53-man roster projection heading into the summer break:
QUARTERBACK (3): Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph
Yes, Rudolph is listed on this projection. No, it doesn't mean he'll definitely make it on the 53-man roster out of training camp. That's not to say he isn't talented enough to be on it. But both Trubisky and Pickett figure to end up in front of him on the depth chart, and Rudolph could revitalize his career if he is traded to a quarterback-needy team before the season. Rudolph has undoubtedly improved since the 2019 season, but his development will plateau in Pittsburgh because of circumstance, and he might be better off somewhere else. If that happens, look for seventh-round pick Chris Oladokun to earn that third roster spot.
RUNNING BACK (5): Najee Harris, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., Mataeo Durant, Derek Watt
A year ago, Snell felt like he was on the fringe of the 53-man roster. But the Steelers didn't invest in a backup running back in the draft or free agency, putting Snell on more solid ground. If anything, McFarland is least at risk to land a spot out of this group because he was used so little last season despite seeming to fit well in Matt Canada's offense. Meanwhile, Durant gets a nod because the Steelers invested in him more than most undrafted free agents; look for him to make a run at Snell's job as RB2.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
Two new faces will bump some of the returning Steelers off the roster. While Olszewski's prowess as a returner secures him a spot, Boykin's upside as a receiver and ability on special teams lands him a job over Cody White, who saw action in 15 games last season, primarily on special teams. Before Boykin was cut by the Ravens, the former third-round pick had 33 catches for 470 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons.
TIGHT END (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
Heyward is listed as a tight end/fullback on the Steelers' roster, and he's versatile. He has been primarily working out with the tight ends and wide receivers, a different group from Derek Watt's. This likely signals that there are spots for both Watt and Heyward on the team -- something that didn't seem likely coming out of the NFL draft.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, J.C. Hassenauer, Joe Haeg, John Leglue
The most interesting thing about this group isn't who makes the roster but who will win a starting job. Dotson and Green are firmly in a competition for a starting guard job. While Daniels will likely anchor the right guard spot, Dotson is trying to fend off Green to retain his starting job on the left side. Regardless of who gets the job, though, both Green and Dotson figure to make the 53-man roster.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal
This group could very well change by the time the offseason concludes after the retirement of Stephon Tuitt. The Steelers drafted Leal to join the defensive line, but they need more depth now knowing that Tuitt is definitely out of the equation. The organization could sign a remaining free agent or scoop one up after the first round of cuts.
LINEBACKER (9): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka, Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Mark Robinson, Buddy Johnson
The most glaring issue assembling this group is the lack of depth among the outside linebackers. Yes, the Steelers have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in T.J. Watt, but they did little to give him much help. Tuszka is a serviceable option, as is Avery, but neither is the caliber of Melvin Ingram III; then again, that addition didn't go over well last year. Watt and Highsmith can form a formidable duo, but they'll need more help than they're getting in this version of the roster. At the inside position, Mark Robinson gets the nod over Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III because Robinson is a draft pick; but if special teams coordinator Danny Smith gets a say, Allen could get the spot.
CORNERBACK (5): Levi Wallace, Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Tre Norwood, Arthur Maulet
It's weird not to see Joe Haden's name here, but the Steelers let him walk in free agency and opted to bring in Wallace and retain Witherspoon. The rest of the position group is rounded out by players who possess all-important versatility. Sutton, Norwood and Maulet can play multiple positions, securing their roster spots.
SAFETY (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew, Damontae Kazee
No real surprises in this group, although look for former Dallas Cowboys safety Kazee to give the Steelers more quality depth at the position than they had last season. Also keep an eye on former Raiders first-round pick Karl Joseph to make a push for a roster spot with a strong training camp.
SPECIALISTS (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin III, Christian Kuntz
No, Harvin didn't have a smooth rookie season, but Smith still believes his punter has a high ceiling and unlimited talent. Smith said Harvin was a pro-level holder last season, but he still has room to improve as a punter. Look for that to happen this season.