Between now and Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will cut their training camp roster down to 53 for the start of the season. The Steelers announced their first nine cuts on Saturday leaving the roster at 71. Out of those remaining players, here is our prediction for the 53 to make the final roster.
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This is an easy one. Roethlisberger will start his 18th season as the leader of the Steelers offense.
(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Rudolph will once again serve as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
QB Dwayne Haskins
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Haskins holds onto a roster spot as the No. 3 quarterback.
RB Najee Harris
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Harris has been as advertised as a first-round pick.
RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
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McFarland should provide a change of pace in the backfield.
RB Benny Snell Jr.
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Snell’s experience keeps him on the roster despite his struggles.
FB Derek Watt
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Keeping a true fullback means the Steelers only keep three running backs this season.
WR Chase Claypool
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Claypool looks like a breakout star this season.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Diontae Johnson is hoping to overcome the drops that plagued him last season.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
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Smith-Schuster returns for perhaps one last Super Bowl run with the Steelers and Roethlisberger.
WR James Washington
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Washington remains one of the most underrated players on the roster.
WR Ray-Ray McCloud
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ray-Ray McCloud hangs around largely for his ability to return kicks.
OT Zach Banner
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Scheduled to be the team’s starting right tackle when he’s healthy.
OT Chuks Okorafor
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Pittsburgh is banking on Chuks Okorafor taking over at left tackle.
OT Dan Moore Jr.
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The rookie has been the best offensive tackle on the team in camp and should start at right tackle if Banner isn’t ready.
OT Joe Haeg
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Haeg was solid in preseason and could hold onto a roster spot as a reserve.
G Kevin Dotson
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Dotson survived a slow start at training camp by being the best offensive lineman on the team in preseason.
G Trai Turner
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Newcomer Trai Turner looks ready to replace David DeCastro at right guard.
G B.J. FInney
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Finney’s experience starting at both guard and center improves his value with the team.
G Rashaad Coward
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
If the Steelers decide to keep a fourth running back, Coward could be the guy to go.
C Kendrick Green
(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Green was up and down in preseason but is the future at center.
C J.C. Hassenauer
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Hassenauer is the backup plan at center if Green struggles.
TE Eric Ebron
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Eric Ebron returns as the team’s No. 1 tight end.
TE Pat Freiermuth
(AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
The potential of Freiermuth as a receiving weapon is exciting for this offense.
TE Zach Gentry
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Gentry made strides as a receiver in the offseason but remains the team’s third-best tight end.
DT Cam Heyward
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Death, taxes and Cam Heyward with the Steelers.
DE Stephon Tuitt
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Tuitt has missed practically all of training camp and the preseason but we hope he’s ready to go at the start of the season.
NT Tyson Alualu
Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers
Alualu continues to extend his career and play well for the Steelers.
DT Chris Wormley
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Wormley finally showed something in the team’s final preseason game and could be counted on for more this season.
DL Isaiah Buggs
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Buggs is a quiet contributor who makes plays whenever he’s on the field.
DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
This spot could be Henry Mondeaux depending on how each grade out on special teams.
OLB T.J. Watt
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Hopefully it won’t take T.J. Watt long to knock off the rust after his offseason long hold-in.
OLB Alex Highsmith
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Highsmith has looked tremendous in the preseason and looks ready to be the next great Steelers pass rusher.
OLB Melvin Ingram
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Huge offseason addition for the Steelers.
OLB Cassius Marsh
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cassius Marsh has no business making the team over Quincy Roche or Jamir Jones but we have a feeling he will.
ILB Devin Bush
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Bush continues to make his way back from his torn ACL last season.
ILB Joe Schobert
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Pittsburgh got a huge upgrade at inside linebacker with the trade for Joe Schobert.
ILB Robert Spillane
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Spillane remains a solid run defender and should be part of the inside linebacker rotation.
ILB Marcus Allen
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Marcus Allen is very hit or miss on defense but is a solid guy on special teams.
ILB Ulysees Gilbert III
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I’d definitely prefer to see Buddy Johnson here but we have a feeling Ulysees Gilbert will get the nod and Johnson will head to the practice squad.
CB Joe Haden
P (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Joe Haden remains a fixture at cornerback and the team’s best coverage player.
CB Cameron Sutton
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Sutton’s patience has paid off as he becomes a starter this season.
CB James Pierre
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pierre has looked very good in preseason and is going to see a heavy workload this season.
CB Justin Layne
(AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Justin Layne continues to hang around and could be in the mix to be the dime cornerback.
CB Arthur Maulet
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Steelers hope Maulet can develop into a situational nickel defensive back.
CB Mark Gilbert
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The undrafted free agent has been solid and is my sleeper pick to sneak onto the final roster.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Fitzpatrick remains one of the best safeties in the NFL.
S Terrell Edmunds
Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers
Terrell Edmunds has looked good playing up near the line of scrimmage and we hope to see more of it.
S Tre Norwood
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tre Norwood offers the Steelers defensive versatility.
S Donovan Stiner
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Another young player who flashed in the preseason.
K Chris Boswell
(AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Boswell remains one of the most consistent scoring threats on the team.
P Pressley Harvin III
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The Pressley Harvin III era begins in Pittsburgh.
LS Christian Kuntz
(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New punter and new long snapper in the same season.
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