Honestly, trying to figure out Mike Tomlin's final 53 is usually like trying to predict the weather in Pittsburgh. One minute it’s sunny, the next you’re in a downpour of unexpected cuts. But 2026 feels different. The Steelers 53 man roster projection this year isn't just about finding the best players; it's about navigating a massive shift in team identity after the Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Ramsey arrivals transformed the locker room.
You’ve probably seen the generic lists. They’re usually safe. They're also often wrong because they ignore the "Danny Smith Factor"—the special teams obsessiveness that keeps guys like James Pierre or Ben Skowronek on the payroll when "more talented" receivers get the boot.
The Quarterback Room is a High-Stakes Game
The top of the ticket is easy. Aaron Rodgers is the guy. Mason Rudolph is the experienced safety net. But the third spot? That's where things get messy. Will Howard has the "draft pick" armor, but that hand injury he suffered in camp created a massive vacuum.
Skylar Thompson basically played out of his mind during the preseason. While most people assume Howard gets the nod because the Steelers hate cutting draft picks, Thompson has actual trade value. If a team like the Raiders loses a starter, Omar Khan is the type of GM to flip Thompson for a late-round pick and stash Howard on IR.
But for this Steelers 53 man roster projection, we’re sticking with the trio of Rodgers, Rudolph, and Howard.
Steelers fans love a good backup QB controversy, but the real story is how much Rodgers has taken rookie center Zach Frazier under his wing. If Frazier snaps it over Rodgers’ head in Week 1, the veteran experience of Mason Rudolph becomes the most important insurance policy in the building.
Wide Receiver Chaos and the "Big Target" Need
George Pickens is gone. The trade for DK Metcalf changed everything.
Metcalf is the undisputed alpha, but the depth chart behind him is a jumble of "specialty" players.
- Roman Wilson is the rising star.
- Calvin Austin III is the speedster (though that abdominal issue is worrying).
- Scotty Miller has been the surprise of the summer, catching everything thrown his way.
The problem? They’re all kinda small, Metcalf notwithstanding. That’s why you’ll see Ben Skowronek make this team. He’s not here to catch 50 passes; he’s here to block like a tight end and blow people up on kickoffs. Robert Woods is the veteran "glue" guy, but if Scotty Miller keeps playing like he’s 2019 Julian Edelman, Woods might be the odd man out in a youth movement.
The Trenches: Where the Dirty Work Happens
The offensive line is finally looking like a "Steelers" unit again. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu are the bookends. Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick are the guards.
Zach Frazier is the pivot.
Ryan McCollum has been a bit of a struggle in preseason games, but he knows the system. Andrus Peat provides that "I’ve seen everything" versatility that Tomlin loves.
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Flip to the defensive side, and it's even more crowded. Cam Heyward isn't getting any younger, but he’s still the heart of the team. The real story is Derrick Harmon. The rookie DT has been absolutely wrecking starting guards in Latrobe. He’s going to be a starter by mid-season, mark my words. Yahya Black is another "human mountain" who makes it impossible to cut him. If you're 6'5" and 330 pounds, the Steelers will find a locker for you.
Linebackers and the Defensive Identity
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are the best duo in the league. Period.
Nick Herbig is the perfect "third man" who would start on 25 other NFL teams. The fourth spot goes to Jack Sawyer, another rookie who has shown that "bend" off the edge that you just can't teach.
Inside, it’s the Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson show.
Payton Wilson might be the steal of his draft class. His speed is sideline-to-sideline, and pairing him with Queen gives Pittsburgh the fastest LB duo they’ve had since... well, maybe ever. Cole Holcomb’s comeback from that devastating knee injury is the feel-good story of camp, and he’s looked mobile enough to justify a roster spot.
The final battle is between Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener. Bruener is the son of Steelers legend Mark Bruener. He led the team in tackles this preseason. Robinson is a special teams demon. It’s a coin flip, but Bruener’s upside as a true linebacker might give him the edge in a modern NFL that demands coverage skills.
The Secondary: The Ramsey Effect
Trading for Jalen Ramsey was a "win-now" move that sent shockwaves through the AFC North.
Ramsey is basically playing a "Joker" role—corner, slot, free safety. He does it all. With Joey Porter Jr. locking down one side and Darius Slay (yes, they really got him too) on the other, this is arguably the best secondary in the league on paper.
- Jalen Ramsey (CB/S)
- Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
- Darius Slay (CB)
- Brandin Echols (CB)
- James Pierre (CB/ST)
Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott provide the veteran stability at safety, while Chuck Clark and Miles Killebrew handle the heavy lifting. Killebrew is a Pro Bowl special teamer; he's not going anywhere.
Special Teams: A Punting Battle for the Ages
You don't usually see a punting battle make headlines, but Cameron Johnston vs. Corliss Waitman was legitimate.
Johnston has the veteran pedigree, but Waitman has a "booming" leg that flipped the field consistently in the preseason. In a division where field position is everything, Waitman might actually steal this job. Chris Boswell, of course, is the only person in Pittsburgh more reliable than the incline.
Pittsburgh Steelers 53-Man Roster Projection (The Likely List):
Offense (24)
- QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
- RB (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell (Trey Sermon is a Practice Squad lock)
- WR (5): DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek
- TE (4): Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
- OL (9): Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Andrus Peat, Dylan Cook
Defense (26)
- DL (7): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee
- EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
- ILB (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener
- CB (6): Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, James Pierre, Cory Trice Jr. (Assuming health)
- S (4): Juan Thornhill, DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
Specialists (3)
- K: Chris Boswell
- P: Corliss Waitman
- LS: Christian Kuntz
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
The biggest takeaway from this roster build is the shift toward veteran reliability over developmental projects. Omar Khan has built a roster designed to win a Super Bowl with a 42-year-old quarterback. This means you should expect fewer "raw" players on the back end of the roster and more players who can contribute on special teams immediately.
If you are tracking the final cuts, watch the waiver wire for "Tackle" depth. The Steelers are still one injury away from a crisis at offensive tackle, and Khan has a history of making a trade or a claim on cut-down day. Also, don't be shocked if a player like Mark Robinson is traded for a 7th-round pick rather than being released outright; his special teams tape is too good for him to clear waivers.
Final roster decisions are about more than just talent; they are about the 46 players who will actually be active on game day. For this Steelers team, that means a heavy emphasis on defensive versatility and special teams "thumpers."