2016 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction (V1)

With training camp almost here, it's time to release my 53 man roster prediction. 

With so many locks on this roster, I felt it was unnecessary to write in-depth on players with safe spots. My article will primarily be focusing on the fringe players. Don't pay much attention to where players are placed in the depth chart either, that isn't the focus of this article and I didn't intentionally place players higher or lower at their position. 

I bolded the names of those player's who are not locks to make the roster. 

Quarterback (3)

1. Ben Roethlisberger 
2. Landry Jones 
3. Bruce Gradkowski

No surprises here. The quarterback position is locked for the Steelers after they resigned Bruce Gradkowski. 

Running Back/Fullback (4)

1. Le'Veon Bell 
2. DeAngelo Williams 
3. Fitzgerald Toussaint 
4. Roosevelt Nix

Once again, no real surprises here. Fitzgerald Toussaint may not be a lock, but he proved last season that he is a reliable and versatile back. Though he may have had a costly fumble, that shouldn't take away from how impressive he was when the Steelers called him into action.

Wide Receiver (5)

1. Antonio Brown 
2. Markus Wheaton 
3. Sammie Coates 
4. Darrius Heyward-Bey 
5. Eli Rogers 

The first position where there will be a legitimate competition. The battle for the #5 wide receiver spot will likely be close, but I think Eli Rogers will win it. He received a lot of buzz last offseason until landing on injured reserve. The buzz has continued into this offseason and though the Steelers drafted Demarcus Ayers in the 7th round, I think Rogers will beat out him and as well as Shakim Phillips. Rogers also offers the versatility to take over for Antonio Brown at punt returner if the team felt the need to make a change.

There are some that don't believe Darrius Heyward-Bey is a lock, but I think otherwise. Heyward-Bey impressed in his limited action last season, proving to be a mostly-reliable receiver, an efficient blocker, and excellent special teams player. These feats landed him a well-earned 3 year contract with the Steelers.

Tight End (3)

1. Ladarius Green 
2. Jesse James 
3. David Johnson 

With Ladarius Green being recently signed and Jesse James entering his sophomore year, the top of the depth chart is locked. There will be one or two spots available for the tight end position between Matt Spaeth, David Johnson, and Xavier Grimble. I think Johnson will win the competition. 

Johnson has advantages over both players. He has the versatility to play both fullback and tight end, which is necessary due to the growing role of fullback Roosevelt Nix in our offense. He is also at a prime age; he is 4 years younger than Spaeth and 5 years older than Grimble. Considering how young Green and James are, it would be wise to keep a veteran tight end.  Though cases can be made to keep any 3 of these tight ends, or even keep two of them, I think Johnson will win the spot. 

Offensive Tackle (4)

1. Alejuandro Villanueva 
2. Marcus Gilbert 
3. Ryan Harris 
4. Jerald Hawkins 

Nothing ground breaking at the tackle position. The Steelers normally don't keep so many tackles, but considering they just drafted Jerald Hawkins in the 4th round, I highly doubt he won't make the roster. 

Offensive Guard (3)

1. David DeCastro
2. Ramon Foster 
3. BJ Finney 

In 2015 the Steelers kept Chris Hubbard as a swing lineman, but I think BJ Finney will take his spot this year. Finney unexpectedly went undrafted in the 2015 draft and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. After spending the season on the practice squad, even getting a hefty pay raise part-way through the season, I think he will prove to be a reliable swing lineman and beat the unspectacular Hubbard. 

Center (2)

1. Maurkice Pouncey 
2. Cody Wallace 

The center position is locked. During Maurkice Pouncey's absence last season, Cody Wallace proved to be a tough, admirable fill-in. Though he may not be a high quality starter, he plays hard-nosed football and can be trusted to step up when needed. 

Defensive End (3)

1. Cam Heyward 
2. Stephon Tuit 
3. LT Walton 

The Steelers defensive line depth improved this offseason with the acquisition of Ricardo Mathews and Javon Hargrave. However these players will primarily be used in nickel formations. When the Steelers play in 3-4, they will need a more traditional defensive end as depth - this is where LT Walton comes in. This roster spot will be a tight race between Walton and Cash Lyons. No player seems to have a clear advantage, but Walton's time on the 53 man roster and limited playing time last season gives him an edge. 

Defensive Tackle (3)

1. Javon Hargrave 
2. Ricardo Mathew 
3. Dan McCullers 

The defensive tackle position is set. All three guys are expected to maintain their spots and make the team. 

Linebacker (10)

1. Lawrence Timmons
2. Ryan Shazier
3. Vince Williams
4. Steven Johnson
5. James Harrison 
6. Jarvis Jones 
7. Bud Dupree 
8. Arthur Moats 
9. Anthony Chickillo 
10. Travis Feeney 

Linebacker is the position with the most competition on this team. The players that will be fighting for the back-up spots include Anthony Chickillo, Travis Feeney, Tyler Matakevich, LJ Fort, and Steven Johnson. Cases can be made for all of these players to make the final roster and it is likely that the spots will ultimately come down to who can provide the greatest special teams play. 

I think Chickillo and Feeney will be the outside linebackers that make the team. Chickillo spent the whole 2015 season on the team and though he didn't particularly impress in his limited playing time, he at least showed toughness and smarts. He also impressed with his special teams play, forcing a fumble versus the Browns on a kickoff. Feeney has been praised as an athletic marvel and has the potential to be a special teams demon. Though he almost certainly won't see the field on defense in 2016, I expect him to shine on special teams. 

With Vince Williams as a lock at inside linebacker, I think Johnson takes the remaining spot. He was acquired by the Steelers this offseason and was known primarily for his special teams play during his time with the Tennessee Titans. With many key special teams players departing this offseason, proven special teams depth is needed on this roster. Johnson will be a reliable and tough asset for the special teams unit. 

Cornerback (5)

1. William Gay 
2. Ross Cockrell 
3. Senquez Golson 
4. Artie Burns 
5. Doran Grant 

Though he was a 4th round pick in the 2015 draft, it's hard calling Doran Grant a lock to make the team. He was the highest drafted player to be cut last year and he went unclaimed on waivers. The optimist in me anticipates Grant to be able to contribute on special teams and maybe even on defense, but the realist in me remains skeptical. I have hope for Grant but he needs to come to training camp ready to prove himself.

Safety (5)

1. Mike Mitchell 
2. Robert Golden 
3. Sean Davis 
4. Ross Ventrone 
5. Shamarko Thomas 

The safety position is tough to predict. I think Ross Ventrone and Shamarko Thomas will make the roster, but not entirely because of their merit. When looking at the 90 man roster, there aren't any names that stick out that could steal either of these players spots. When you evaluate the rosters of previous years as well, the Steelers haven't kept less than 5 safeties on the roster since 2011. I'm not trying to say these players are scrubs, for both have proven to be valuable on special teams. Considering though how Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, and Sean Davis are locked in as the starers at the position, Ventrone and Thomas only need to focus on special teams. As long as they prove to be reliable there, their spots are safe. 

Special Teams (3)

1. Chris Boswell 
2. Greg Warren 
3. Jordan Berry

Some writers out their believe Will Monday can beat out Jordan Berry for the punter position. This is certainly possible, for I didn't anticipate Berry winning the job last year. For now though I anticipate Berry winning the job. Though not always consistent, he played solid in 2015 and I think he will improve in 2016.