The BnG Blitz's Magic 8-Ball Predicts the Steelers 53 Man Roster

Mike Tomlin & Co. Have Some Tough
Decisions Ahead

-Mason Noland (@M_Noland386)

It seems like predicting your favorite team's 53 man roster and the eight man practice squad is becoming as popular as predicting the draft. After all, you are taking a stab at who has played well in preseason games and who you have heard has done well in practice. Its fun to try and figure out who makes the team, but remember, an NFL team is very liquid. Its always changing, especially when players get hurt and needs automatically change. Some players are no-brainers, while others are a complete guess. Here's my take on what the Steelers may look like.I will list the Starters first.

Quarterback
1. Ben Roethlisberger- This one is as automatic as Adam Vinatieri in the playoffs.
2. Byron Leftwich- Provided he stays healthy, he should be the primary back up. I sent a text to Jeff and another friend saying essentially no one throws a prettier pass then Leftwich.
3. Charlie Batch - He is almost a second quarterback coach. Mike Tomlin seems to trust him. I think the Rookie Jerrod Johnson could edge him out, but Johnson should be on the practice squad.

Running Back:
1(a). Isaac Redman- This is his chance to show he can carry the load. Can he do it? Time will tell.
1(b). Rashard Mendenhall- Mendenhall probably won't be available until after the bye. Once he's back, can he be the same back or better than he was? I hope so. I have written it a few times, Redman and Mendenhall could be deadly together.
3. Jonathan Dwyer - Dwyer has looked good this preseason. He looks in shape and has run hard. He should steal carries throughout the season.
4. Chris Rainey- Rainey has shown flashes of his speed. He's a guy who needs the ball in space. He should be a good receiver on third downs and special teams
5. Fullback - Will Johnson- Winner by default.

Wide Reciever:
1. Mike Wallace- One of the top deep threats in the NFL. He'll sign his tender, come practice, and be a starter.
2. Antonio Brown- Brown has looked good in the preseason. Hopefully he builds upon a great season last year.
3. Emmanuel Sanders- Sanders should have a break out season. All Steelers fans are looking for him to put up solid numbers as a 3rd receiver.
4. Jerricho Cotchery- Cotchery is a great possession receiver. If he's healthy, he could be a Security blanket for Big Ben.
5. David Gilreath- Looked good against the Colts. I didn't see much from him versus the Bills. The fifth receiver is still up for grabs.

Tight End:
1. Heath Miller- Very under appreciated great player. 
2. Leonard Pope- Pope is a Todd Haley guy. He's a decent blocker and a large target inside the red zone. 3. David Paulson- I've seen his number on the field during the preseason, but I'm not sure what he's done. He'll initially be on the 53 man roster, but when Wesley Saunders is back from Suspension, I believe Paulson will be waived and Saunders will be on the roster.

Tackles:
LT: Max Starks- Big Max has been a solid starter for the Steelers for several years. Every time he goes away, he's brought back.
RT: Marcus Gilbert- Gilbert played very well as a rookie at Right Tackle and I expect him to progress this season.
3. Mike Adams- Adams has a ton of upside, but that hasn't translated to production. He could be a good swing tackle this year and hopefully develops into the Left Tackle of the Future.

Guards:
LG: Willie Colon- I've written about my expectations for Willie. Hopefully he stays healthy.
RG: Ramon Foster- I was hoping for Foster to be the main backup at both guards, but after David DeCastro's injury, he's forced to start, at least until the next name eventually passes him.
G/C: Doug Legursky- I was hoping for him to be a key backup at all three interior positions, and he still may be, but Jeff and I both believe he should start at RG.
G/T: Trai Essex- Trai has played all five spots on the line, he should make the team.

Center:
Maurkice Pouncey- He's the best player on the Offensive Line. He's one of the best in the game at center.

Defensive End:
1. Brett Keisel- The Beard is a defensive mainstay.
2. Ziggy Hood- Ziggy worked his tail off this offseason. The videos of him jumping out of the gym and pulling weighted sleds were crazy. He looks good on the field as well.
3. Cameron Heyward- "Baby Ironhead" is going to be the main backup for both end spots. He's been mixing it up with the vets along the offensive line during camp. I am expecting big developments from him in year two.
4. Al Woods- this last defensive end spot is a crap shoot between Woods and Corbin Bryant. There is also a chance they don't carry a fourth defensive end.

Defensive Tackle:
1. Casey Hampton- "Big Snack" is a bad man in the middle.
2. Steve McClendon- McClendon has looked good filling in for Hampton. He's a strong man who can get after the quarterback from the nose. Could also play defensive end if needed.
3. Alameda Ta'amu- Nose Tackle of the future.

Outside Linebacker: (This assumes two players come off the PUP)
1. LaMarr Woodley- Hopefully having a full offseason of training keeps him healthy.
2. James Harrison- One of the most physical and violent players to ever strap on a helmet. I believe he'll be off PUP by week one. He may not start week one, but he'll be on the 53 man roster.
3. Chris Carter- This second year OLB has looked great so far. He's fast off the edge and has bulked up a bit to take on the run. He'll hold it down until Harrison can be a full time player again.
4. Jason Worilds- He has yet to be activated from PUP. I think he will be before the season. He'll be a key backup and special teams player this season. There is a chance he stays on PUP, in which case, he'll be on the roster when 100%. I have a theory they are saving him from himself in training camp.

Inside Linebacker: 
1. Lawrence Timmons- Here's to hoping he isn't pressed into playing out of position this year and can stay inside. He's a playmaker on the inside.
2. Larry Foote- Larry is a guy who's been a starter before. He's a Dick LeBeau guy and exemplifies what a Steelers player is.
3. Sean Spence-  Small and fast, Spence should help on Special teams and some sub-packages. He tends to get over powered, but that happens when you are a smaller linebacker.
4. Mortty Ivy- Ivy should make the team because of the amount of injuries at Linebacker. He has the ability to fill in on the inside and outside. He'll also boost special teams.
5. Stevenson Sylvester- "Sly" won't be ready for week one due to an MCL injury, but once healthy, he'll be a key sub on the inside and outside. A very good special teams player as well. I'm disappointed he couldn't beat out Larry Foote, but Foote is the cagey veteran. 

Safety: 
Free Safety: Ryan Clark- Clark is a very good, smart player. He allows Troy to be Troy. He won't play week one in Denver, but will every week after.
Strong Safety: Troy Polamalu- He's the best in the game. He makes LeBeau's defense tick.
FS2: Ryan Mundy- Mundy is a solid backup and can play both spots.
SS2: Will Allen- Allen is a Tomlin guy. He's a good special teams player.
Safety 3: Robert Golden- Golden has played well against the backups. He'll probably make the team based on the need for him week one. After that? Who knows. 

Cornerback: 
1. Ike Taylor- Ike had one bad game last year, it just happened to be at the wrong time.
2. Keenan Lewis- Lewis says he's making the Pro Bowl this year. I hope he backs up those words. He's a good big athlete, hopefully he can make the transition from nickle to starter.
3. Cortez Allen- Allen was drafted last year as a project player, but did not look like a project when he played. He'll be a nickleback, but may end up a starter at some point.
4. Curtis Brown- Brown was a special teams demon last year. He hasn't looked that great on defense this preseason, but if he can be coached up and continue contributions on Special Teams, he'll make the team.
5. Terrence Frederick- Seventh Rounder Frederick has looked good enough to make the squad. He'll most likely have to cut his teeth on special teams. 

Specialists: 
1. Long Snapper: Greg Warren- He consistently snaps the ball where it needs to be. Its a thankless job, and he does it well. Death, Taxes and Greg Warren snapping for the Steelers. 
2. Punter: Drew Butler- I had a feeling he was going to make the team. Incumbent Jeremy Kapinos has had back problems, leaving the door wide open for Butler to take advantage. 
3. Kicker:  Daniel Hrapmann- He's kicked well enough to make the team over Suisham, which means he's made kicks. 

Practice Squad: 
1: QB: Jerrod Johnson- He's looked good enough to make most teams, but most teams don't have Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch. He has a shot at taking one of those spots and remember, Charlie and Bryon are fragile. 
2. RB: Baron Batch: Jeff texted me earlier today and said he thought Mendenhall being activated from PUP makes it hard to keep batch on the 53 man roster. I am leaning on agreeing. If he's waived, he's a candidate for the Practice Squad. 
3. RB: Jason Ford- "Mini-Bus" is taking the Isaac Redman route to making the team. 
4. OL: Kelvin Beachum- Beachum hasn't looked good in game action. Maybe a year on the practice squad will help him develp. 
5. LB: Adrian Robinson- Robinson looks like a terror rushing the passer. Some time on the practice squad can help him round out his game. 
6. WR: Toney Clemons- Something tells me they keep the local kid on the practice squad to help him develop. He's got good size and speed. 
7. WR: Marquis Maze- The Alabama product could help with returns later in the year if needed. 
8. DL: Corbin Bryant- If Al Woods makes the 53 man roster, Bryant is on the practice squad.