Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line during training camp at St. Vincent College on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
We’ve learned a lot about the Pittsburgh Steelers through the first two weeks of training camp at St. Vincent College, and while the preseason — which starts this Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars — will play an even bigger role in who does and does not make the team’s initial 53-man roster than the first two weeks of camp, we can certainly update our priors when it comes to who is currently in a strong position to make the squad.
There have been some significant changes to this projection, including a pair of veterans that might be considered surprise cuts being left off the squad.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers at training camp on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH STEELERS MID-TRAINING CAMP 53-MAN ROSTER PROJECTION
Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
No changes here. Will Howard has clearly passed Skylar Thompson as the third quarterback, and I don’t expect any more movement in the pecking order.
Running backs (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
Trey Sermon is a distant fourth, and has looked fine running the ball, but I’m not sure the Steelers need more than these three at running back.
Tight Ends (4): Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
No changes here, and the only way there would be a change would be Arthur Smith finding a way to cram a fifth tight end into his offensive roster. DJ Thomas-Jones would probably be the next man up.
Wide Receivers (6): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Outside Addition
Scotty Miller has been one of the best stories of training camp, taking advantage of Calvin Austin’s injury to have a fantastic second week. I still think there’s a good chance of an outside addition here, but even if there is, right now, I’d have vet Robert Woods on the chopping block, and not Miller — who also has more special teams value.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line at training camp on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Offensive Tackle (4): Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Dylan Cook
I only had three tackles on the previous version of this projection, but a shaky start for Broderick Jones and a soft-tissue injury that could linger and nag for Calvin Anderson has me leaning toward putting Dylan Cook on the 53-man roster. It doesn’t hurt that he’s looked great with all the extra reps he’s been getting.
Interior Offensive Line (5): Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum
With Cook on the roster, and the interior trio looking very solid throughout training camp, Max Scharping becomes the odd man out here.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Logan Lee at training camp on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Interior Defensive Line (6): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black
No changes here, other than the cut getting a little bit easier with Dean Lowry’s season over after a knee injury. Logan Lee is still a very tough cut, and probably deserving of a roster spot, but I’m having a hard time finding how to fit him in.
Outside Linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Nothing changing here.
Inside Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson
I feel like we’ve learned a good bit at this position. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson aren’t going to come off the field very much. When they do, it’ll be for the run-stopping prowess of Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, who have looked unreal moving forward and a bit shaky in coverage. That leaves one special teams role, and his recent flirtation with fullback has me thinking that belongs to Mark Robinson.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre tackles running back Trey Sermon during training camp on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Cornerbacks (6): Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop, James Pierre
This is another position where we have a lot more clarity after two weeks of camp. Jalen Ramsey will play a little bit of safety, mostly slot corner, and also move to the outside on occasion. If there’s an injury to Darius Slay or Joey Porter Jr., Ramsey will kick outside and Beanie Bishop will start at Nickel. Brandin Echols has been the fourth outside cornerback and seems to have the edge on Bishop to be the Dime defender.
That leaves one spot for another cornerback, with that battle coming down to James Pierre and Cory Trice. The Steelers love Trice. They think he can be a starter in the league. But his inability to stay healthy is a problem, with yet another injury already in training camp holding him back. Pierre is the better special teams player, and has been playing as well as any cornerback on the team in an elevated role with Porter and Trice out this week.
Donte Kent had a shot to unseat Bishop for the second slot cornerback job, but a solid week from Beanie, an injury to Kent, and Mike Tomlin assuring that Calvin Austin III has the punt returner job locked down has that looking unlikely at this point.
Safeties (4): DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark
Chuck Clark has been a very solid addition, and him being on the roster should fairly well box out rookie free agent Sebastian Castro, despite a soldi second week of camp for the Iowa product.
Specialists (3): Cameron Johnston, Chris Boswell, Christian Kuntz
Corliss Waitman is more than good enough to make a 53-man roster, but it’s hard to imagine it being here now that Cameron Johnston is healthy.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Kent during Friday Night Lights practice on Aug. 1, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH STEELERS MID-TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE SQUAD PROJECTION
RB Trey Sermon
RB/WR Max Hurleman
FB/TE DJ Thomas-Jones
TE JJ Galbreath
C/G Max Scharping
G/T Steven Jones
G Doug Nester
WR Roc Taylor
WR Ke’Shawn Williams
DL Logan Lee
DL Esezi Otomewo
OLB Julius Welschof (IPP)
OLB Eku Leota
ILB Carson Bruener
CB Donte Kent
CB Cory Trice
S Sebastian Castro
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