Pre draft roster (shows strengths and weaknesses)

[slashsteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Offseason Depth Chart

Quarterbacks

1. Mason Rudolph
2. Will Howard -
3. John Rhys Plumlee

Running Backs

1. Rico Dowdle -
2. Jaylen Warren -
3. Lew Nichols III
4. Travis Homer -
5. Max Hurleman
6. Kaleb Johnson

Wide Receivers

1. DK Metcalf -
2. Michael Pittman Jr. -
3. Ben Skowronek -
4. Roman Wilson
5. Brandon Smith
6. Cole Burgess
7. A.T. Perry
8. John Rhys Plumlee
9. Doneiko Slaughter
10. Max Hurleman

Tight Ends

1. Pat Freiermuth -
2. Darnell Washington -
3. JJ Galbreath

Offensive Line

Tackles:

1 Broderick Jones -
2 Troy Fautanu -
3 Dylan Cook -
4,Jack Driscoll
5 Lorenzo Thompson

Guards:

1 Spencer Anderson -
2 Mason McCormick -
3 Steven Jones
4 Aiden Williams
5 Brock Hoffman -
6 Doug Nester

Centers:

1 Zach Frazier -
2 Ryan McCollum -

Defensive Line

1 Cameron Heyward-
2 Sebastian Joseph-Day-
3 Keeanu Benton-
4 Derrick Harmon-
5 Esezi Otomewo-
6 Yahya Black-
7 Logan Lee
8 K.J. Henry
9 Anthony Goodlow
10 Jahvaree Ritzie
11 Kyler Baugh

Edge:

1 T.J. Watt-
2 Alex Highsmith-
3 Nate Herbig-
4 Jack Sawyer-
5 Julius Welschof

ILBer

1. Patrick Queen-
2. Payton Wilson -
3. Cole Holcomb-
4. Malik Harrison
5. Carson Bruener -

Cornerbacks

1. Joey Porter Jr. -
2. Jamel Dean -
3. Asante Samuel Jr.-
4. Cory Trice Jr.
5. Brandin Echols -
6. D’Shawn Jamison
7. Daequan Hardy
8. Donte Kent
9. Jalen Ramsey-

Safeties

1. DeShon Elliott -
2. Jaquan Brisker-
3. Jalen Ramsey
4. Jack Henderson
5. Sebastian Castro
6. Darnell Savage Jr.-

Special Teams

• K: Chris Boswell -
• P: Cameron Johnston -
• LS: Christian Kuntz -
• LS: Cal Adomitis

My two and a half cents:

Besides the obvious no starting QB

* no attractive FS
* no 3, 4 and possibly 5th WR

Then it is if they feel they need a LG drafted to compete with Anderson and Brock.

I mean if you look at the grand scheme I can see where Magic Mike did a good job shoring up weaknesses with obviously some more work to do.

Interestingly I put a - by the names I thought were relatively safe. Just enough room for 11 draft picks.

So with a presumed QB addition that makes it that they have to do something with 2 picks possibly 3..

trade up or away.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

Roman Wilson and Skowronek will make the team IMO. They'll draft a slot type on day 2, probably sign a camp cut to fill it out.

DL and OL are still issues, as well as safety and obviously QB. Vega Ioane or Kayden McDonald would be first year starters, feeling that's where we might go.

 

[slashsteel]

Roman Wilson and Skowronek will make the team IMO. They'll draft a slot type on day 2, probably sign a camp cut to fill it out.

DL and OL are still issues, as well as safety and obviously QB. Vega Ioane or Kayden McDonald would be first year starters, feeling that's where we might go.

I have Skow with a - slated to make it. Not convinced Roman will .. maybe from the lack of options..

They have issues sure I just think some aren’t as great as others. They have two LG options, 2 FS options, two NT options.

The pantry has cereal in it just not stocked with options.

I am ok with Loane or McDonald. Or a FS (Dillon) or a WR (Tyson).

(My likes)

For me it will be hard to fluck up the 1st pick ( see Ty).

 

[WindyCitySteel]

I have Skow with a - slated to make it. Not convinced Roman will .. maybe from the lack of options..

They have issues sure I just think some aren’t as great as others. They have two LG options, 2 FS options, two NT options.

The pantry has cereal in it just not stocked with options.

I am ok with Loane or McDonald. Or a FS (Dillon) or a WR (Tyson).

(My likes)

For me it will be hard to fluck up the 1st pick ( see Ty).

Who do you see as LG and NT options? Benton is bullied at NT, he's a better fit at DE in a 3-4.

WR depth is poor, but they have their top 2 guys and 2 of the bottom 3 in Wilson and Skow. I get that if DK or Pittman gets hurt we're in the same position as the last two years, but we're already there at several other positions.

 

[Litos]

I have Skow with a - slated to make it. Not convinced Roman will .. maybe from the lack of options..

They have issues sure I just think some aren’t as great as others. They have two LG options, 2 FS options, two NT options.

The pantry has cereal in it just not stocked with options.

I am ok with Loane or McDonald. Or a FS (Dillon) or a WR (Tyson).

(My likes)

For me it will be hard to fluck up the 1st pick ( see Ty).

Hoffman has more experience as C than G, that would make McCollum a PS option but we definitely need to draft a G in day 1 or 2, ideally 2. Same goes for Tackle, we are thin there.

I think DL is better than it seems with the SJD addition plus Harmon + Black development. A mid round NT is what's needed in the draft.

A day 1 or 2 FS looks like a must to me, though I wouldn't invest that much in the position in the 1st round unless the draft unfolds badly. Maybe with this been a talent lacking draft (in general), FS is a savvy investment (if a top talent is there) though .

I'd really like a top ILB to make Queen expendable next season.

I wouldn't mind adding a blocking TE in the later rounds.

Early WR is a must too.

So day 1 and 2 should address WR/FS/OL/ILB. Add them in BPA order, I think Ioane is out of the plans for some reason, I'm ok with that.

 

[slashsteel]

Who do you see as LG and NT options? Benton is bullied at NT, he's a better fit at DE in a 3-4.

WR depth is poor, but they have their top 2 guys and 2 of the bottom 3 in Wilson and Skow. I get that if DK or Pittman gets hurt we're in the same position as the last two years, but we're already there at several other positions.

In my eyes Day for NT but for theirs Day and Benton. That is looking through my and their lens.

LG Anderson and Brock and that is mostly through their lens. They might see Anderson as a starter I dunno.

I prefer not a repeat of that WR fiasco. I prefer they draft 2 of them . Doesn’t have to be in 1 but yeah..

 

[slashsteel]

Hoffman has more experience as C than G, that would make McCollum a PS option but we definitely need to draft a G in day 1 or 2, ideally 2. Same goes for Tackle, we are thin there.

I think DL is better than it seems with the SJD addition plus Harmon + Black development. A .I'd round NT is what's needed in the draft.

A day 1 or 2 FS looks like a must to me, though I wouldn't invest that much in the position in the 1st round unless the draft unfolds badly. Maybe with this been a talent lacking draft (in general), FS is a savvy investment (if a top talent is there) though .

I'd really like a top ILB to make Queen expendable next season.

I wouldn't mind adding a blocking TE in the later rounds.

Early WR is a must too.

So day 1 and 2 should address WR/FS/OL/ILB. Add them in BPA order, I think Ioane is out of the plans for some reason, I'm ok with that.

You know WR and T will probably run like the normal. As well as pass rushers regardless if that is OLber or DE.

Yeah Hoffman is definitely a wild card but I think he has played enough at G.

But realistically it isn’t like a draft pick couldn’t come in at FS, LG, NT and upgrade the position with the right pick.

Thinking of Ramsey or one of our SS at FS definitely brings me pause.

Moreso than Anderson at G or Day at NT.

I actually really like the idea of Day starting at NT.

My favorite of the in-house options.

 

[slashsteel]

Oh and I strongly think one of those three 3s will be a T. Just by them letting one go. They want another option there IMO…

 

[Litos]

You know WR and T will probably run like the normal. As well as pass rushers regardless if that is OLber or DE.

Yeah Hoffman is definitely a wild card but I think he has played enough at G.

But realistically it isn’t like a draft pick couldn’t come in at FS, LG, NT and upgrade the position with the right pick.

Thinking of Ramsey or one of our SS at FS definitely brings me pause.

Moreso than Anderson at G or Day at NT.

I actually really like the idea of Day starting at NT.

My favorite of the in-house options.

All this analysis points to FS as the most probable draft pick to be an upgrade and start in this team. If Bro Jones isn't healthy though, a 1st round OT might be an instant starter too

 

[Chadman]

Looking at your list-
QB, WR x 2, TE x 1, OT x 1, OG x 1, NT x 1, OLB x 1, CB x 1 S x 1

Large parts of the roster are in place. Outside of an upgrade in talent if it's available, there's only so many gaps to fill.

For mine, OG is an obvious upgrade & missing piece position.

OT isn't too far behind, depending on Jones

Obviously QB, but I expect Rodgers takes the #1 spot, leaving a contender vs Howard.

Metcalf, Pittman, Sko & Wilson take up 4 of 6 WR spots. A #3 type is a definite need.

A 3rd TE looks like an upgrade.

A further depth OLB.

Half the DL are just bodies. This is an upgrade spot if available.

There was a fair amount of investment at Safety this off season. I'm not convinced a high pick is the go.

 

[slashsteel]

Looking at your list-
QB, WR x 2, TE x 1, OT x 1, OG x 1, NT x 1, OLB x 1, CB x 1 S x 1

Large parts of the roster are in place. Outside of an upgrade in talent if it's available, there's only so many gaps to fill.

For mine, OG is an obvious upgrade & missing piece position.

OT isn't too far behind, depending on Jones

Obviously QB, but I expect Rodgers takes the #1 spot, leaving a contender vs Howard.

Metcalf, Pittman, Sko & Wilson take up 4 of 6 WR spots. A #3 type is a definite need.

A 3rd TE looks like an upgrade.

A further depth OLB.

Half the DL are just bodies. This is an upgrade spot if available.

There was a fair amount of investment at Safety this off season. I'm not convinced a high pick is the go.

One seems like a fringe the only FS they brought in.

The other seems like more of a SS then we have a SS coming off injury.

Is that a fair amount invested at S or is that a fair amount invested at SS?

 

[Chadman]

One seems like a fringe the only FS they brought in.

The other seems like more of a SS then we have a SS coming off injury.

Is that a fair amount invested at S or is that a fair amount invested at SS?

Hard to say. But when you add 2 via FA, plus get Elliott back- that's a lot of new faces in the room. I'd say Ramsey is seeing the field a fair bit this season.

I'll hedge my bet though- Kilgore might fit a role as a S/CB hybrid- I could see a player like that added.

 

[Djfan]

I appreciate how you gents do this. I love following it.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

In my eyes Day for NT but for theirs Day and Benton. That is looking through my and their lens.

LG Anderson and Brock and that is mostly through their lens. They might see Anderson as a starter I dunno.

I prefer not a repeat of that WR fiasco. I prefer they draft 2 of them . Doesn’t have to be in 1 but yeah..

If ARod is back I think they draft only one, and sign another vet security blanket for him. Have two rooks and Wilson make up half your WR corps and we'd better get used to this...

 

[madinsomniac]

In my eyes Day for NT but for theirs Day and Benton. That is looking through my and their lens.

LG Anderson and Brock and that is mostly through their lens. They might see Anderson as a starter I dunno.

I prefer not a repeat of that WR fiasco. I prefer they draft 2 of them . Doesn’t have to be in 1 but yeah..

Hard to say how this staff will view or operate the D... this is the biggest overhaul since 92.. so its really hard to peg how it will play out. I have no feel for Graham... he runs a fluidly adaptable scheme... so he may want a true NT or not... it changes week to week with him so who knows

 

[BLITZ]

Go trenches. Early

 

[madinsomniac]

If ARod is back I think they draft only one, and sign another vet security blanket for him. Have two rooks and Wilson make up half your WR corps and we'd better get used to this...

I think they will have an overstock on wrs.. McCarthy typically uses fewer TEs and more Wrs abd his rosters reflect that

I also caution anyone from assuming the standard special teams ace players that Tomlin kept at certain positions from being locks on this roster... McCarthy may not view having multiple dedicated coverage aces as important as Tomlin did, mostly because McCarthy isnt trying to win games 6-3... so carrying an extra guy skilled at his position but only average at ST is maybe more palatable than picking Rbs and Wrs based on their tackling abilities, lol

 

[Don Kedic]

Looking at all this typed out made me realize just how sh*t and dire our roster actually is. I don’t care what our schedule looks like. This will be our first losing season in 2 decades. F*ck Rooney, his hiring practices, and his cheapness.

 

[BLITZ]

Looking at all this typed out made me realize just how sh*t and dire our roster actually is. I don’t care what our schedule looks like. This will be our first losing season in 2 decades. F*ck Rooney, his hiring practices, and his cheapness.

Is thier 1 thing you like about the Steelers? Just 1

 

[madinsomniac]

I dont think we need any LBs unless we are trading guys.. ..i wouldnt mind another DL in case of Injury to Heyward, but it isnt a need..

At DB they dont have the pressing need people think they do. If a BPA situation becomes available where you can get a star type addition, great, but barring injury, a solid group of 9 can be made there. The 8 locks in the OP, plus one of Castro/Kent/Trice.

Again if an upgrade situation presents itself in the first, you BPA it and trade someone near the end of camp if the injury bug doesnt hit.. but its not a need...

On offense, I feel like barring someone really falling far they will develop Howard and take a qb as a camp arm day 3. The OP has Skylar on the roster and I dont believe he has signed anywhere to date...

RB seems like a full position... the three locks above, KJ and Nichols..

Te almost certainly will get a draft pick, though it may be later in the draft.. JJ Galbreath could be a player to watch if he bulked up a little..

Wr will get one high draft pick and maybe another. If you told me they would take 3 this draft, Id believe it..

Ol is another absolute for a pick.. one Higher IOL/Guard.. and an OT.

They really could go BPA most of this draft.. even if BPA was a position thats full, you can trade away guys

 

[slashsteel]

I dont think we need any LBs unless we are trading guys.. ..i wouldnt mind another DL in case of Injury to Heyward, but it isnt a need..

At DB they dont have the pressing need people think they do. If a BPA situation becomes available where you can get a star type addition, great, but barring injury, a solid group of 9 can be made there. The 8 locks in the OP, plus one of Castro/Kent/Trice.

Again if an upgrade situation presents itself in the first, you BPA it and trade someone near the end of camp if the injury bug doesnt hit.. but its not a need...

On offense, I feel like barring someone really falling far they will develop Howard and take a qb as a camp arm day 3. The OP has Skylar on the roster and I dont believe he has signed anywhere to date...

RB seems like a full position... the three locks above, KJ and Nichols..

Te almost certainly will get a draft pick, though it may be later in the draft.. JJ Galbreath could be a player to watch if he bulked up a little..

Wr will get one high draft pick and maybe another. If you told me they would take 3 this draft, Id believe it..

Ol is another absolute for a pick.. one Higher IOL/Guard.. and an OT.

They really could go BPA most of this draft.. even if BPA was a position thats full, you can trade away guys

No need to be so informal you can call me slash.




Good catch corrected.