PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers open the 2023 NFL regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 at Acrisure Stadium. Projecting this roster wasn't easy -- and it wasn't for lack of quality depth.
The Steelers have particularly difficult decisions on the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary. A sneaky-tough decision could also come at tight end, where rookie Darnell Washington is seemingly ahead of schedule in his development as a route runner and pass-catching tight end, complementing an already solid skill set as a blocker. Zach Gentry has been a solid TE2 behind Pat Freiermuth, but to open up an additional spot for someone on the lines or in the secondary, Gentry could be a surprise cut next week.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Steelers:
QUARTERBACK (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Though the Steelers have the same quarterback room on paper in 2023 as they did in 2022, the group is more stable entering this season. Pickett is the established starter, and Trubisky is his steady backup. The Steelers typically prefer carrying three quarterbacks, and NFL rules now allow for a third signal-caller to be dressed on game day without counting against an active roster spot, but Rudolph's status bears watching on cut-down day. He signed a one-year deal to return after a fruitless free agency, but he threw frequent interceptions in training camp and didn't look his sharpest. Could the Steelers part ways with Rudolph to free up a roster spot and stash an insurance policy in rookie UDFA Tanner Morgan on the practice squad?
RUNNING BACK (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr.
The Steelers have fewer running backs than usual on this year's initial 53-man roster, but Connor Heyward's versatility can allow him to take snaps out of the backfield if necessary. With McFarland's quickness, Warren's explosiveness and Harris' durability, the three backs in the room complement each other and give the running game more dimension than it had in 2022.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
Though Austin, with his explosiveness, appears to have edged out Olszewski for the punt returner job, the Steelers should make room for both receivers on the roster. Robinson was solid in limited preseason game action and showed a good rapport with Pickett in camp, but given his age and injury history, keeping another pure slot receiver in Olszewski is a smart insurance policy. Boykin hasn't done much in the offense but has been a solid special-teamer, including keeping the ball out of the end zone on a Pressley Harvin punt in the second preseason game.
TIGHT END (4): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington
One of the easiest groups to project. The biggest question with the tight ends is if the Steelers will be able to sneak Rodney Williams through waivers to the practice squad. Williams was impressive during camp, but the group is too loaded in front of him to give him any path to a roster spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, Broderick Jones, Chuks Okorafor, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Kevin Dotson, Nate Herbig, Dylan Cook
The Kendrick Green fullback experience was a fun training camp experiment, but the Steelers barely used it in actual preseason games, and Green didn't do enough to distinguish himself as the second teams center. Herbig, though he missed time with a hand injury in camp, can play all three interior spots. Cook bumped Le'Raven Clark from his spot as a second-team tackle, and he's best positioned to be a swing tackle if needed. Seventh-rounder Spencer Anderson showed versatility in camp, but the Steelers' wealth of interior depth likely bumps him to the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, Armon Watts
One of the deepest position groups and most difficult decisions. In this projection, it came down to Watts and Breiden Fehoko. While Fehoko is a pure nose tackle, Watts offers more versatility, which gives him the edge. Adams and Benton are solid run-stuffers, reducing the need for another nose tackle.
LINEBACKER (8): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Mark Robinson
The Steelers have their best depth in several seasons at both inside and outside linebacker. A preseason standout with 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback hits and a forced fumble, Herbig showed impressive NFL readiness in his first training camp. He and free agency addition Golden give the team flexibility and depth behind Watt and Highsmith. And at inside linebacker, Alexander's addition gives the Steelers a solid run-thumper to add to a rotation of Holcomb and Roberts.
CORNERBACK (5): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, James Pierre
Arthur Maulet's surprise offseason departure left the Steelers with a hole at nickel, but through training camp, they found several replacements. Through two preseason games, Elijah Riley leads the Steelers with three special teams tackles, but Sullivan has been especially effective in the nickel blitz. It's a tight race, but as the first corner off the bench in the third preseason game, Sullivan has the slight edge. Pierre had an inconsistent camp, but as a contributor on special teams and after an improved second preseason outing, he's the best insurance policy at outside corner.
SAFETY (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Miles Killebrew, Damontae Kazee, Kenny Robinson
Robinson is the camp surprise of this group after he capitalized on the extra reps during Fitzpatrick's weeklong excused absence. Mike Tomlin likes to say the best ability is availability, which works in Robinson's favor -- and to the detriment of Tre Norwood, who missed the last stretch of camp and the final preseason game. A versatile defensive back, Norwood has been a good special-teamer, but the Steelers have only so many roster spots.
SPECIALISTS (3): Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Harvin held off fellow Ray Guy Award winner Braden Mann in a training camp battle to secure his job. He booted a 52-yarder in the second preseason game, and all five of his punts through the first two games landed inside the 20.