Outside Linebacker:
Emeke Egbule, Nate Herbig, Alex Highsmith, David Perales, Quincy Roche, Tyler Tate (camp tryout), T.J. Watt
Watt and Highsmith are your starters. Herbig as a 4th round pick is going to get every chance to secure a backup spot here. The question is can he play high-reps at OLB at his size – if not, do they make him a pass-rush/specialist type player or move him inside? For now, I’m going to slot him in as a backup OLB. That’s what the Steelers are doing.
That leaves one spot left. Roche is the favorite of the remaining players. Egbule has had chances but hasn’t shown yet he can make a 53. Perales is an interesting UDFA signing – a production guy without the athletic measures. Tate is a development guy coming from a smaller school and learning a new position.
I think you’re going to see Pittsburgh ultimately bring in an experienced free agent here at some point. They can’t roll out with two backups with no practical experience.
Inside Linebacker:
Tae Crowder, Cole Holcomb, Tanner Muse, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Chapelle Russell, Tylar Wiltz (camp tryout)
It’s crazy to think that the longest-tenured Steeler inside linebackers are Chapelle Russell and Mark Robinson. Holcomb and Roberts will be your starters here and I think people will really enjoy the fire from both of these guys. But what lies beneath is the concern. Much like OLB, there’s little experience behind both players. Muse is a linebacker by title but has never really played linebacker in the NFL – just special teams. He could be used in some sub-packages, but that’s really it.
That leaves Robinson, who was extremely raw last season and still has a lot to prove as to whether he can be a starter against teams who are not the run-focused Ravens. Crowder is a player with some NFL starter experience and Russell has a little experience as well. Camp tryout Wiltz from Pitt is inexperienced even as a college linebacker and may be more of a hybrid type they look to develop. Much like at outside linebacker, I expect them to bring in a free agent backup and keep Robinson along with special teams ace Muse.
Defensive Line:
Montravious Adams, Keeanu Benton, Breidan Fohoko, Cam Heyward, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Marshall, James Nyamwaya, Larry Ogunjobi, Armon Watts, Renell Wren
Another logjam position. Heyward, rookie Benton and Ogunjobi are your top three. From there it gets rough. Leal seems to have beefed up and is expected to play DE – he’s likely a lock. Fohoko and Watts were nice free agent pickups that I think make the roster. Adams seems the odd-man out with the Fohoko and Benton arrivals, but maybe he beats out Fohoko – he’ll have to to stick. Loudermilk seems to have fallen out of favor, unfortunately. I think it’ll take a lot for him to find his way back to the active roster.
Safety:
Minkah Fitzpatrick,, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Keanu Neal, Scott Nelson, Tre Norwood, Elijah Riley, Kenny Robinson
Kazee and Fitzpatrick are your starters with Neal being the sub-package third safety, barring any surprises. One potential surprise is Kenny Robinson who has the potential to displace Neal over time in that third safety role if he flashes early. Robinson and Norwood could be battling otherwise for that last safety spot. Riley is another interesting player but I don’t see him overtaking the aforementioned players.
Corner/Slot Corner
Madre Harper, Arthur Maulet, Patrick Peterson, James Pierre, Joey Porter, Jr., Chan Sullivan, Cory Trice, Levi Wallace, Chris Wilcox, Akhello Witherspoon
Peterson and Porter are likely your top two out of the gate, but don’t be surprised if they ease Porter in behind Wallace. Trice very likely could beat out Pierre making it a potential battle between Pierre and Witherspoon for a final spot. Witherspoon’s contract may hurt him here.
At slot, the newly signed Sullivan and Maulet will have a contentious battle here for who wins that spot.
Special Teams:
Kicker: Chris Boswell, BT Potter
It would take a lot for Potter to supplant Boswell as the Steelers starting kicker. I don’t see it happening.
Punter: Adam Korsak (camp tryout), Braden Mann, Percy Harvin III
Consistency is key and Harvin III has been maddeningly inconsistent. Korsak was the best punter in college last year and Mann was brought in already to challenge Harvin. Mann was brought in after being waived by the Jets but has had some good play with the Jets. It really looks like the Steelers could make a punting change this year.
Long Snapper: Christian Kuntz
Seems a lock unless someone like Anderson has shown some proficiency there.