With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster is mostly set. Largely, this will be the group that gets carried into training camp and makes up the opening day roster. Knowing that, it’s time to make my first Steelers’ roster prediction of who will be part of that 53-man group right after last August’s roster cutdowns.

Below is my first guess at the Steelers’ 53-man roster. My next prediction will either come right before training camp or before/after the first preseason game. Feel free to share what changes you would make below. I’ll be focusing this prediction on players currently on the roster, not free-agency placeholders.

Offense – 25 

Quarterbacks (3) – Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar

Analysis: The one exception I’ll make to “adding players not currently on roster” is Rodgers for what I hope are obvious reasons. Even after Tuesday’s quirky tender news, the odds are still better-than-not that he returns.

An inexperienced depth chart behind him is disconcerting, but Mason Rudolph still feels like the odd man out based on all the evidence. Shipping him to Tampa Bay for a late 2027 draft pick makes a lot of sense.

Running Backs (4) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Riley Nowakowski

Analysis: Adding Nowakowski to the running backs since the team is calling him a fullback, and he’ll work in the room with Ramon Chingyoung Sr. and the other backs. Johnson’s spot isn’t set in stone, with Travis Homer and Eli Heidenreich set to push him. Johnson must earn his roster spot, but I’ll put him on inside-looking-out for now, with the summer being crucial for him.

Finding a way to put Heidenreich on the 53 would be great, but he’s ultimately lost in the numbers crunch. The fact that he has a similar skill set to Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen, players who will make the roster, hurts his cause. Heidenreich will begin on the practice squad (this is the part where you tell me he won’t make it through waivers).

Wide Receivers (6) – DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek

Analysis: Rookies Bernard and Wetjen join the rest of the group. Wilson, like Kaleb Johnson, has to play well this summer to keep his roster spot. He’s no longer on scholarship. The group feels thin at the end, and Pittsburgh could explore more help at cutdowns. A.T. Perry is an internal name to watch, but he’ll have to impress in the preseason to stick on the 53.

Tight Ends (3) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Lake McRee

Analysis: Freiermuth and Washington are solid, but the group is thin. With Nowakowski at fullback, there’s no clear No. 3 tight end on the roster. Pittsburgh has 2025 UDFA JJ Galbreath and 2026 UDFAs Lake McRee and Chamon Metatyer to compete.

I’ll pick with McRee with the best odds of the three. He had good USC tape, but two ACL injuries hurt his draft stock. Pittsburgh really needs to sign another veteran into the mix.

Offensive Tackles (4) – Troy Fautanu, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Jack Driscoll, Broderick Jones (PUP)

Analysis: Guessing Broderick Jones’ status is difficult. Until we know he’s cleared, I’ll assume he’s not, and he’ll begin the year on the Reserve/PUP list. Meaning, he won’t count against the 53-man roster. That puts a veteran like Driscoll on the roster. Multiple starting tackle combinations will be figured out in camp/preseason.

Interior Offensive Line (5) – Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Gennings Dunker, Brock Hoffman, Spencer Anderson

Analysis: Expected group here. Dunker, Hoffman, and Anderson are poised to battle for the left guard spot, though there are plenty of combinations of how this offensive line could look come Week One. It’ll come out in the wash this summer. Ryan McCollum loses his spot and could go to the practice squad as a veteran exception.

In total, nine offensive linemen made the 53. That feels right.

Defense – 25

Defensive Ends (5) – Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Gabriel Rubio, Esezi Otomewo

Analysis: Despite being an unknown sixth-rounder, Rubio makes it thanks to his steady and strong run defense. Of course, that assumes he’s healthy, something he’s struggled to show throughout his college career. Otomewo flashed last year, and his pass rush and athleticism get him the nod over Logan Lee and Dean Lowry if he ends up signing back with the team.

Nose Tackles (2) – Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day

Analysis: Joseph-Day or Black could be the backup nose tackle. Maybe they mix and match. But Joseph-Day played in the A-gap during his time in Los Angeles when Aaron Donald was the three-tech, and he feels like a stouter fit. Still, he and Black will play up and down the line. Both are on the roster to plug the run.

EDGE Rushers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Analysis: Not much to note here. The same four as last season, only injury (or a surprising trade) could impact the complexion of this group.

Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb

Analysis: Right or wrong, Pittsburgh’s free agent movement, or lack thereof, made it clear they like the look of the unit. Not trading Queen to the Dallas Cowboys, not cutting Harrison, and re-signing Holcomb to a two-year deal. The team opted against drafting the position despite it being a deep class. Health permitting, it looks like this group will be carried into Week One.

Cornerbacks (5) – Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols

Analysis: A little lighter here than usual, with just five cornerbacks. But it’s a versatile and deep group. Porter and Dean as the starters. Samuel, a veteran, to backup on the outside. A slot-first Echols, who can also play outside. And the rookie, Everette, who will likely cut his teeth on special teams to begin. Jalen Ramsey’s ability to play in the slot gives them a de facto sixth cornerback.

Cory Trice Jr. and Donte Kent feel the squeeze. Health has been an issue for both, and they were drafted under the previous coaching staff.

Safeties (4) – Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Castro

Analysis: And just four safeties. Going with seven defensive linemen (I’ve consistently put six and always been wrong about it) created the numbers crunch here. The top three safeties are quality. Ramsey was retained, Elliott returns from injury, and Brisker was a smart and shrewd signing.

Castro beats out seventh-round pick Roberts Spears-Jennings. Castro could become the next Miles Killebrew and serve as the upback, the quarterback of the punt team. It’ll be a good battle between them this summer.

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell

Analysis: No brainer here. Boswell will return, and likely with a contract extension to make him no worse than a top-three paid kicker in the league.

Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston

Analysis: As of this writing, Johnston is the only punter under contract. It’s reasonable to expect Pittsburgh to bring in another punter, be it signing a tryout in minicamp or adding another veteran, before training camp. The team seems to be confident in Johnston to get the job done.

Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz

Analysis: Kuntz has competition in Cal Adomitis, but the Steelers likely prefer to keep the battery together of Kuntz snapping, Johnston holding, and Boswell kicking.