Pittsburg, PA
Kozora: Pittsburgh Steelers Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Prediction
With training camp 24 hours away and the first practice the day after, it’s time for my updated Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 53-man roster prediction. My last prediction came right after the draft, and since then, the team has made roster moves that have changed some of my predictions. Those will be reflected below.
My next roster prediction will come either right before or after the Steelers’ first preseason game.
OFFENSE – 24
Quarterbacks (3) – Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Analysis: No changes here; the overall theme of this updated prediction. Wilson and Fields may nominally have a battle, but it’ll be a major upset if Fields wins it. Allen brings experience and comfort as the team’s third-stringer.
Running Backs (3) – Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Analysis: I’ve begun to feel skeptical about Patterson’s usefulness this season on offense or even in the return game. But he should still make the roster as the primary kick returner. Harris and Warren will be the Steelers’ lead horses in an offense that could finish top-five in rush attempts.
Fullback (0) – None
Analysis: No true fullback though Connor Heyward could be used here. Keep an eye on Jack Colletto in training camp.
Tight Ends (4) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt
Analysis: In my off-season analysis, I left Pruitt versus Rodney Williams at a literal coin flip. Williams is younger and the better athlete/special teamer but Pruitt knows the system and is a stronger in-line blocker. An underrated but fun camp battle. Heyward could log time at fullback.
Wide Receivers (5) – George Pickens, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Dez Fitzpatrick
Analysis: One change here. Putting Fitzpatrick in place of Marquez Callaway. Callaway brings intriguing height/weight/speed, but Fitzpatrick’s calling card is special teams. That’s different than the other veteran wideouts fighting for their spot. Austin earned plenty of praise in the spring, giving him an initial leg up in the fall. Jefferson has size and versatility and is familiar with Smith’s system.
Offensive Tackles (4) – Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Dan Moore Jr., Dylan Cook
Analysis: Lots to watch here. How much play does Moore get at RT? Can Fautanu win the job? Can Cook continue his ascent, and if so, will Moore become expendable? Overall, it’s a talented and deep group.
Offensive Guards (4) – Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Nate Herbig, Mason McCormick
Analysis: I wanted to find a way to shoehorn Spencer Anderson in here, but he’s still the tenth offensive lineman. Herbig will battle Frazier at center but is likely to lose the job.
Centers (1) – Zach Frazier
Analysis: Frazier, the only true center on this 53 configuration, may have to earn the right to start. But he should capture it by the time the season begins. Interested to see if Anderson or McCormick get any work at center.
DEFENSE – 26
Defensive Ends (4) – Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Analysis: Maybe the buzz on DeMarvin Leal is real. Best shape of his life, the light’s come on, all that good stuff. But he’s gotta play his way onto the roster and my roster prediction. If he shows up, Loudermilk’s spot may become shaky. Ogunjobi needs to get through a camp healthy, always nagged by a foot or toe issue.
Nose Tackles (2) – Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams
Analysis: Benton will start after entering last year as the backup. Adams signed a multi-year deal and should stay. The Steelers will keep at least six defensive linemen.
EDGE Rushers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jeremiah Moon
Analysis: David Perales lost weight and is in his second season, but I’m still putting Moon over him. Moon is bigger, stronger, and more proven on special teams. An intriguing name to watch in camp.
Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Tyler Matakevich
Analysis: A change here now that Matakevich has been signed. He bumps Mark Robinson off the Steelers roster for the role of “core special teamer.” The question is if Holcomb is healthy to begin the year. We’ll see if he starts camp on Active/PUP. If he avoids it, it’ll be a tremendous sign. Position group here is strong.
Cornerbacks (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Darius Rush, Cory Trice Jr., Beanie Bishop, Josiah Scott
Analysis: Cam Sutton will start the year on the Suspended list and does not need to begin on the initial 53. He won’t play until Week 10. The slot corner battle swings wide open. Bishop was the team’s best UDFA add, but they probably want a veteran ready in Scott, who served as the Eagles’ slot corner in 2022. This position will probably be handled by committee.
Don’t overlook the outside corner depth battles, either. Rush and Trice have plenty to prove and will be pushed by Anthony Averett.
Safeties (5) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts
Analysis: Lots of moving and shaking here. Trenton Thompson was released for reasons that still don’t make much sense. Jalen Elliott has also been shown the door. It boosts the odds for the rookie Watts, though he’ll have to prove he can make the transition from corner. Winning a special teams spot will also be key for him.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell
Analysis: Boswell’s spot is safe, though Matthew Wright will audition for other teams this summer. He’s worth rostering, making it the most interesting note at kicker, provided Boz stays healthy.
Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston
Analysis: Johnston is the only punter on the Steelers roster, speaking to the team’s level of confidence in him. He was a key free agency signing, though hopefully, Pittsburgh will do a lot less punting in 2024.
Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz
Analysis: Fresh off a three-year contract, Kuntz’s spot is safe.
Gameday Inactives: Allen (Emergency Third QB), Jefferson, McCormick, Trice Jr., Watts
PRACTICE SQUAD (17)
QB: John Rhys Plumlee
RB: Daijun Edwards, Jonathan Ward
FB: Jack Colletto
WR: Marquez Callaway, Duece Watts
TE: Rodney Williams
OG: Anderson Hardy, Spencer Anderson
DL: Logan Lee, Breiden Fehoko
EDGE: Julius Welschof*, Kyron Johnson
ILB: Jacoby Windmon
CB: Thomas Graham, Anthony Averett
S: Nate Meadors
*Doesn’t count against practice squad total
A man from Fayette County has been arrested and is facing over 1,000 charges related to alleged animal cruelty and neglect.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said that John Saxberg, 57, is facing charges in connection with what he called “a suspected illegal kennel operation” in Washington Township.
According to DA Aubele, Saxberg is accused of subjecting numerous animals to “deplorable conditions” and “circumstances constituting torture,” adding that approximately ten animals suffered serious bodily injuries.
Court records show that Saxberg is facing 1,029 criminal charges in total with offenses including aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals, neglect of animals, penalties related to dog licensing, and violations of vaccine requirements.
52 of the charges that Saxberg is facing are felonies, according to court records.
Online court paperwork shows that Saxberg was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon and is being held in the Fayette County Prison after bail was posted at $85,000.
A preliminary hearing for Saxberg is scheduled for late next week.
An Allegheny County park with 200-year-old trees has been added to a growing network of protected and publicly accessible old-growth forests.
Local leaders announced on Tuesday that Hartwood Acres is now part of the Old-Growth Forest Network, which consists of over 340 forests, though this is Allegheny County’s first.
The 692-acre property features a Tudor mansion built in 1929, and while about a quarter of the park is maintained, the other 75% is forested. Some of the oldest trees include a black oak that’s over 200 years old, and a sugar maple and red oak that are nearing 200 years old.
“Hartwood Acres is one of Allegheny County’s greatest natural treasures, and this designation recognizes both the ecological value of these forests and the generations of stewardship that have protected them,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said in a press release. “As we work to build an Allegheny County where everyone can thrive, that includes ensuring residents have access to clean air, green spaces, and the opportunity to connect with nature close to home.”
The Old-Growth Forest Network, founded in 2012, aims to create a national network of protected, mature and native forests that are accessible to the public. The goal is to preserve at least one forest in every U.S. county that can sustain a forest.
“The importance of the preservation of these rare forests cannot be overemphasized,” said Brian Kane, the Mid-Atlantic regional manager with the Old-Growth Forest Network. “As seen at Hartwood Acres, forests perform critical environmental services that benefit communities, such as storing carbon, providing wildlife habitat, and retaining stormwater. OGFN is grateful that Allegheny County values its old-growth forests and will enable its residents and visitors to marvel at these old hardwoods far into the future as they grow even more mature and majestic.”
An overturned truck spilled hazardous materials onto the 62nd Street Bridge late Monday night and crews spent several hours working to contain the spill.
The Cherry City Volunteer Fire Company said it was assistant on a “large scale hazmat incident” along with crews from Allegheny County Emergency Services and the city of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Fire.
A truck turned onto its side on the Sharpsburg side of the Senator Robert D. Fleming Bridge, also known as the 62nd Street Bridge, late Monday night and the fire company said crews were working to contain the leak.
An aerial view from the KDKA Drone Team around 3 a.m. Tuesday showed the large response from crews working at the scene of the crash.
A first responder told KDKA’s news crew at the scene that the chemical that was spilled was peroxide and the fire company said crews were working to keep the material from entering drainage systems.
Around 4 a.m. Tuesday, the fire company provided an update and said that all “hazardous materials have been mitigated,” but that the bridge is expected to remain closed for an extended period of time.
Drivers are being urged to use alternate routes for the morning commute.
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