The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their offseason program on Thursday and open training camp on July 28 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Bruce Gradkowski
Buzz: Dustin Vaughan can sling it, but he’s more a practice-squad project. Gradkowski’s spot is not safe, but his veteran presence will prevail here. The Steelers typically carry three quarterbacks.
RUNNING BACK (3): Le'Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, Fitz Toussaint
Buzz: This is a deep group but the Steelers don’t need to carry more than three backs. The Steelers like Toussaint and want to develop him.
FULLBACK (1): Roosevelt Nix
Buzz: Nix is the only fullback on the 90-man roster, and the offense still values the position. Nix seems safe here.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eli Rogers
Buzz: Rogers has the inside track on reps as the backup slot receiver, making it difficult for the promising Levi Norwood to make the cut. Demarcus Ayers could be kept for punt-return duties but is also a practice squad candidate.
TIGHT END (3): Ladarius Green, Jesse James, Matt Spaeth
Buzz: David Johnson and Xavier Grimble are tough calls. The cap-strapped Steelers could use Spaeth’s $1.137 million in relief, but he’s a trusty veteran, a Mike Tomlin favorite. Grimble’s playmaking could land him on the practice squad for the second straight year.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert, Alejandro Villanueva, Ryan Harris, Cody Wallace, Jerald Hawkins, Chris Hubbard
Buzz: This is arguably the Steelers' deepest position, and the nine-man rotation is pretty clear-cut.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Dan McCullers, Javon Hargrave, Ricardo Mathews, L.T. Walton
Buzz: Caushaud Lyons could push for a roster spot, but Walton gets the edge as a developmental draft pick, and Mathews is a valuable rotational vet.
LINEBACKER (10): Ryan Shazier, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison, Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Arthur Moats, Vince Williams, Anthony Chickillo, Travis Feeney, Steven Johnson
Buzz: The Steelers keep six pass-rushers and four inside linebackers in order to develop back-to-back sixth-rounders Chickillo and Feeney. Johnson gets the call over L.J. Fort and Tyler Matakevich due to special-teams work.
DEFENSIVE BACK (10): William Gay, Mike Mitchell, Artie Burns, Sean Davis, Senquez Golson, Robert Golden, Ross Cockrell, Doran Grant, Shamarko Thomas, Ross Ventrone
Buzz: Don’t be surprised if Donald Washington, a former fourth-rounder and CFL standout, pushes for a spot. Ventrone is still valuable on special teams. The Steelers will give Grant another chance.
SPECIALIST (3): K Chris Boswell, P Jordan Berry, LS Greg Warren
Buzz: The Steelers have a terrific problem -- two good kickers, Boswell and Shaun Suisham, who should be ready to kick in training camp after a long ACL recovery. Heck, based on last year’s early season issues with kicking, maybe the Steelers will buck the trend and carry both. But expect the Steelers to explore a trade with Suisham or Boswell.