Post-Draft 53 Man Projection and Needs

[Steelerette]

Now the draft is over. Again you may have some minor quibbles with this and that's okay. Talking big picture here. Included is the assumption that every draft pick will make the team (even though I'm not so sure about any of the three late rounders).

Roster Construction:

QB Mitchell Trubisky
QB Kenny Pickett
QB Chris Oladokun

WR Diontae Johnson
WR George Pickens
WR Chase Claypool
WR Calvin Austin III
WR Miles Boykin
WR Kaleb "Gunner" Olszewski

TE Pat Freiermuth
TE Zach Gentry
TE Connor Heyward

RB Najee Harris
RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
RB Mataeo Durant
FB Derek John Watt

LT Dan Moore Jr.
LT Joe Haeg
LG Kendrick Green
LG Kevin Dotson
OC Mason Cole
OC Jason Hassenauer
RG James Daniels
RG John Leglue
RT Chukwuma Okorafor
RT Chaz Green

PK Chris Boswell
P Biggus Kickus
LS Christian Kuntz

LDE Stephon Tuitt
LDE Isaiahh Loudermilk
DT Chris Wormley
DT Montravius Adams
NT Tyson Alualu
RDE Cameron Heyward
RDE DeMarvin Lael

LOLB TJ Watt
LOLB Derrek Tuszka
LILB Myles Jack
LILB Mark Robinson
RILB Devin Bush
RILB Robert Spillane
ROLB Alex Highsmith
ROLB Genard Avery

SS Terrell Edmunds
SS Karl Joseph
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
FS Damontae Kazee

LCB Ahkello Witherspoon
LCB Arthur Maulet
RCB Levi Wallace
RCB Cameron Sutton
RCB Tre Norwood


_____


UDFA with an outside shot:

RB Jaylen Warren
OC Jordan Tucker
OLB Tyree Johnson


Outside looking in:

QB Mason Rudolph
WR Anthony Miller
WR Rico Bussey
WR Cody White
TE Kevin Rader
RB Benny Snell Jr.
OG Malcolm Pridgeon

CB James Pierre
CB Justin Layne
SS Miles Killebrew
DL Carlos Davis
DL Khalil Davis
DL Henry Mondeaux
EDGE John Simon
ILB Buddy Johnson
ILB Marcus Allen
ILB Ulysses Gilbert
ILB Tegray Scales


Probable Cuts:

RB Trey Edmunds
WR Tyler Vaughns
WR Steven Sims Jr.
TE Jace Sternberger
OG Delontae Scott

P Cameron Nizialek
K Sam Sloman
LS Rex Sunahara

DT Daniel Archibong
CB Isaiah Johnson
SS Donovan Stiner
FS Linden Stephens


Other UDFA/Minicamp:

OT Jake Dixon
DL Donovan Jeter
OLB TD Moultry
OG Chris Owens
CB Chris Steele
CB Bryce Watts

[Steelerette]

Now a few questions rise up.

1. What are the biggest remaining needs?

2. Is there anyone we can get trade value from in any of the outside groups?

3. What free agents can we pursue to do that last bit of strengthening up?

_________

To me, we still need a legit RB2. A free agent I would pursue is Alex Collins, or alternatively Darrel Williams. They will both fit in really nicely and be able to contribute meaningfully, even if Najee needs time off.

We need OLB depth. A free agent I like right now is Ryan Kerrigan - he can be the veteran of the group for a year or two. Everyone else is still young.

It's not a huge need but if we want a veteran WR, that probably means Boykin has to go. Being already set at WR I think the team would rather keep Boykin's freakish potential for now. I would not go for a WR despite our youth there.

We still could use a real Center. At this point nobody is available that is an improvement at what we have (Cole/Hass/Green). Watch for cuts this summer.

We need OT depth. It would be nice to get away with 9 OL but none of our backup Tackles are good enough. I don't want Haeg or Chaz Green to be our lone swing tackle. How about Riley Reiff? He could almost be paid for by letting us get both Haeg and Chaz's cap hits off the table.

[SteelerCountry58]

John Simon no shot huh? He can and will beat out Avery most likely and find a way onto the roster. We’ll see about the others as time goes by.

[Steelerette]

John Simon no shot huh? He can and will beat out Avery most likely and find a way onto the roster. We’ll see about the others as time goes by.

If he does I'm all for it!

[Mojouw]

I like the veteran depth options. But….the Steelers need to be sure that the veterans truly want to play a reduced or limited role behind younger options.

Recent attempts at this have not worked well because the vet didn’t want to accept the reduced role.

So…here’s my alternative…young players that are willing to do whatever as long as they’re on a 53 man roster.

Unfortunately, Roche is just the type of player I’m picturing. But the Steelers seem to really prefer veteran depth.

[Steelerette]

Unfortunately, Roche is just the type of player I’m picturing. But the Steelers seem to really prefer veteran depth.

I really liked Quincy Roche. Was bummed when he got turned out but it's also clear just what you said - they like to have a veteran piece of depth. And you're right - the player not wanting to accept a backup/rotation role is why I didn't go for say, players who were slightly more "premiere." but it's still all a gamble.

I'm ready to fall in love with someone in the preseason and then be sad for three years they didn't make it... who will be this year's Tuzar Skipper?

[Mojouw]

Tupac Skippy just got released by the Titans. Finally right that wrong.

[Born2Steel]

This is predict who makes the 53 right?

QB - Trubisky, Rudolph, Pickett

RB - Harris, Snell, Watt, McFarland

WR - DJ, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, Boykin, Miller

TE - Freiermuth, Gentry, Heyward

OL - Moore, Dotson, Cole, Daniels, Chuks, Green, Hassenauer, Haeg, Leglue

DL - Heyward, Tuitt, Alualu, Loudermilk, Leal, Adams

OLB - Watt, Highsmith, Avery

ILB - Bush, Jack, Johnson, Robinson, Allen

CB - Sutton, Wallace, Witherspoon, Maulet, Pierre

Safety - Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Norwood, Kazee, Killebrew

Kicker - Boz
Punter - Harvin
LS - Kuntz
Returner - Gunner

[tube517]

This is predict who makes the 53 right?

QB - Trubisky, Rudolph, Pickett

RB - Harris, Snell, Watt, McFarland

WR - DJ, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, Boykin, Miller

TE - Freiermuth, Gentry, Heyward

OL - Moore, Dotson, Cole, Daniels, Chuks, Green, Hassenauer, Haeg, Leglue

DL - Heyward, Tuitt, Alualu, Loudermilk, Leal, Adams

OLB - Watt, Highsmith, Avery

ILB - Bush, Jack, Johnson, Robinson, Allen

CB - Sutton, Wallace, Witherspoon, Maulet, Pierre

Safety - Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Norwood, Kazee, Killebrew

Kicker - Boz
Punter - Harvin
LS - Kuntz
Returner - Gunner

You think Wormley and Mickey Spillane gets cut?

[Fire Goodell]

Defensive roster looks solid, if the offense can be somewhat respectable this team will surprise people. The OL is of course my biggest worry. Biggest thing I want to see is holes opening for Najee instead of him having to dodge 2 defenders behind the LoS to make a 5 yard gain

[Hawkman]

There is no way Rudolph is not on the 53 man roster. Like him or not, he has starting experience and the only QB who has played for the Steelers. No way I would put a 7th round pick over him.

[steelreserve]

That sounds like a pretty solid prediction, pending which of the rookies ends up on injured reserve before the season, there's always one.

I could see us keeping someone like Layne around in that case if we thought he could help on special teams, but it seems like we've given up on him.

My prediction is that we'll trade D. Watt for a 7th-round pick to save cap space, and then Connor Heyward will immediately get hurt because that's clearly the dumbest outcome for that situation.

[Born2Steel]

You think Wormley and Mickey Spillane gets cut?

IDK....It's Cinco de Mayo. A lot can happen.

[tube517]

IDK....It's Cinco de Mayo. A lot can happen.

That's true!

[86WARD]

This is predict who makes the 53 right?

QB - Trubisky, Rudolph, Pickett

RB - Harris, Snell, Watt, McFarland

WR - DJ, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, Boykin, Miller

TE - Freiermuth, Gentry, Heyward

OL - Moore, Dotson, Cole, Daniels, Chuks, Green, Hassenauer, Haeg, Leglue

DL - Heyward, Tuitt, Alualu, Loudermilk, Leal, Adams

OLB - Watt, Highsmith, Avery

ILB - Bush, Jack, Johnson, Robinson, Allen

CB - Sutton, Wallace, Witherspoon, Maulet, Pierre

Safety - Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Norwood, Kazee, Killebrew

Kicker - Boz
Punter - Harvin
LS - Kuntz
Returner - Gunner

So the super speedy “stud” RB draft pick that everyone is raving about gets the axe?

[Born2Steel]

So the super speedy “stud” RB draft pick that everyone is raving about gets the axe?

Or PS.

[86WARD]

Or PS.

Let’s hope he pushes Snell off the roster!! Lol

[Born2Steel]

Let’s hope he pushes Snell off the roster!! Lol

I seriously doubt Snell gets a 2nd contract. I think a rookie would have to show something special to push him off the roster though. Not impossible but Snell only costs $1M.

[Mojouw]

Let’s hope he pushes Snell off the roster!! Lol

No mo’ Snell.

That’d be super.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I like the veteran depth options. But….the Steelers need to be sure that the veterans truly want to play a reduced or limited role behind younger options.

Recent attempts at this have not worked well because the vet didn’t want to accept the reduced role.

So…here’s my alternative…young players that are willing to do whatever as long as they’re on a 53 man roster.

Unfortunately, Roche is just the type of player I’m picturing. But the Steelers seem to really prefer veteran depth.

Agreed. Im sure Melvin Ingram and Blount are the first players that come to mind for most of us in this regard.

I feel great about staying put with the bodies we have except backup RB. Find the nearest Mewelde Moore clone and we can wrap up the offseason moves

[Fire Goodell]

Let’s hope he pushes Snell off the roster!! Lol

Connor Heyward might be the guy that pushes Snell off the roster, they're basically the same speed / size and Heyward has a more diverse skillset

[86WARD]

Connor Heyward might be the guy that pushes Snell off the roster, they're basically the same speed / size and Heyward has a more diverse skillset

[steelreserve]

I seriously doubt Snell gets a 2nd contract. I think a rookie would have to show something special to push him off the roster though. Not impossible but Snell only costs $1M.

There's no value in keeping a guy who's cheap but he sucks. I was on the fence about Snell for a while, but he was horrid last year. He actually made the team worse by being on the roster. I would probably trade a 6th-round pick just NOT to have him.

[ETL]

Steelerette - Thanks for starting a list. Always fun to work off of someone else’s list. Here is mine.

QB (3): Trubisky, Pickett, Oladokun - Rudolph gets paid too much to be a 3rd string QB. He’s traded for a late rounder or cut. Saves $3M cap space.

RB (4): Harris, McFarland, (FA pickup), Heyward - Watt gets cut and saves $2.75M cap

WR (6): Johnson, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, Boykin, Olszewski
TE (3): Freirmeuth, Gentry, Rader
OL (9): Moore, Dotson, Cole, Daniels, Okorafor, Green, Hassenauer, Haeg, Leglue
Total Offense: 25

DL (7): Heyward, Alualu, Tuitt, Leal, Wormley, Loudermilk, Adams
OLB (4): Watt, Highsmith, Avery, Tuszka
ILB (5): Jack, Bush, Spillane, Allen, Robinson
CB (5): Sutton, Wallace, Witherspoon, Norwood, Pierre - Pierre over Maulet for now
S (4): Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Kazee, Killebrew - Killebrew is too valuable on ST
Total Defense (25)

ST (3): Bosley, Harvin, Kuntz

[Mojouw]

Steelerette - Thanks for starting a list. Always fun to work off of someone else’s list. Here is mine.

QB (3): Trubisky, Pickett, Oladokun - Rudolph gets paid too much to be a 3rd string QB. He’s traded for a late rounder or cut. Saves $3M cap space.

RB (4): Harris, McFarland, (FA pickup), Heyward - Watt gets cut and saves $2.75M cap

WR (6): Johnson, Claypool, Pickens, Austin, Boykin, Olszewski
TE (3): Freirmeuth, Gentry, Rader
OL (9): Moore, Dotson, Cole, Daniels, Okorafor, Green, Hassenauer, Haeg, Leglue
Total Offense: 25

DL (7): Heyward, Alualu, Tuitt, Leal, Wormley, Loudermilk, Adams
OLB (4): Watt, Highsmith, Avery, Tuszka
ILB (5): Jack, Bush, Spillane, Allen, Robinson
CB (5): Sutton, Wallace, Witherspoon, Norwood, Pierre - Pierre over Maulet for now
S (4): Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Kazee, Killebrew - Killebrew is too valuable on ST
Total Defense (25)

ST (3): Bosley, Harvin, Kuntz

like your list.

One question - and a bit of a tangent - but what are they gonna do with the cap space? I know my brain is just so conditioned to see cap savings on the Steelers roster and be like "Oh, yeah, that dude is gonna get cut. They'll need the cap space."

I kinda think we might be in a different world for a few seasons. For instance, their most pressing cap issue is likely getting a Minkah Fitzpatrick extension done. By all accounts that will lower his 2022 cap hit.

I actually think you have identified some highly likely roster cuts, but I am starting to wonder if "cap space" will not be the reason for roster moves for a bit....just a thought...please carry on...

[ETL]

I don’t think it’s ever a bad idea to save cap space. Having said that - we could have a ton of cap space by cutting TJ Watt but obviously he’s worth it. So when i just say “cap space” I guess I am saying the cap space is more valuable than how well the player is performing.

honestly, the only value I assign to Derek Watt is to keep TJ happy. Who knows, now that Canada has his QBs - maybe D Watt can show us more but for now I see his cap space as more valuable than his play.

[Mojouw]

I don’t think it’s ever a bad idea to save cap space. Having said that - we could have a ton of cap space by cutting TJ Watt but obviously he’s worth it. So when i just say “cap space” I guess I am saying the cap space is more valuable than how well the player is performing.

honestly, the only value I assign to Derek Watt is to keep TJ happy. Who knows, now that Canada has his QBs - maybe D Watt can show us more but for now I see his cap space as more valuable than his play.

I can see that. Apparently, Canada has used FBs in the past. But who knows what the offense will look like.

I guess I can see them keeping him. Canada must have wanted a FB for a reason. Then wasn't able to use that FB.

My current theory is that Ben didn't want to run that version of the offense. Not a judgement, just an observation. So I suspect, and others have mentioned it as well - likely where I got the idea from, that the 2022 offense will be almost unrecognizable in style from the previous season.

[Fire Goodell]

I can see that. Apparently, Canada has used FBs in the past. But who knows what the offense will look like.

I guess I can see them keeping him. Canada must have wanted a FB for a reason. Then wasn't able to use that FB.

My current theory is that Ben didn't want to run that version of the offense. Not a judgement, just an observation. So I suspect, and others have mentioned it as well - likely where I got the idea from, that the 2022 offense will be almost unrecognizable in style from the previous season.

Ben wanted to be Peyton Manning (run his own offense and call all the plays), but he wasn't on that level. No disrespect to Ben who is a sure fire hall of famer, but Manning is one of the Top 3 of all-time QB's. Though being a HoF QB usually means the OC kinda has to go with what the QB wants.

[Steelerette]

This didn't deserve its own thread so here's a way too early 2023 mock draft for us.

1. OT Turner Corcoran, Nebraska
2. SS Jordan Battle, Alabama
3. EDGE Sa'Vell Smalls, Washington
4. OC Alex Forsyth, Oregon
5. NT Mazi Smith, Michigan
6. WR Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina
7. P Jack Van Dyke, Wisconsin

[Steelerette]

Ben wanted to be Peyton Manning

Dilly Dilly