A year ago the Steelers made their “final cuts” and immediately hit the wavier wire signing Zoltan Mesko, Cody Wallace and Antwon Blake. The move was highly uncharacteristic for the Steelers, and smelled of desperation, but with two out of the three players returning in 2014 it looks Kevin Colbert’s bargain hunting worked out.

Many expected the Steelers to make additional moves after getting down to 53, but it looks like they’re standing pat.

With that, let’s have a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2014 Roster

Quarterbacks  (3)
Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones

Landry Jones was on the bubble, and many expected him to be either relegated to the practice squad or simply cut. Some quick research on ESPN shows Brian St. Pierre having a better sophomore preaseason than Jones. Just say’n….

Running Backs (4)
Le’Veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount, Dri Archer, Will Johnson

This is one of the smallest opening day squads of running backs in recent memory. It was only 2010 that the Steelers opened with Mendenhall, Dwyer, Redman, Moore, and Johnson. But times change, and this is a passing man’s league.

Tight Ends (3)
Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Michael Palmer

My what a difference one year makes. A year ago the Steelers number 1 and 2 tight ends were David Johnson and David Paulson, with Kelvin Beachum working as a third TE. Palmer shows remarkable resilience after arriving as an injury replacement.

Offensive Tackles (3)
Marcus Gilbert, Kelvin Beachum, Mike Adams

Let’s hope the talk that Guy Wimper was legitimately giving Adams a run for the third tackle slot was simply a Mike Munchak motivationally ploy.

Guards (3)
Ramon Foster, David DeCastro, Wesley Johnson, Chris Hubbard

Time for DeCastro to dominate. Johnson becomes the new Trai Essex-like utility lineman. Let’s hope Hubbard’s apprenticeship on the practice squad taught him something.

Centers (2)
Maurkice Pouncey, Cody Wallace

Wallace played well late last year, as the team started 3 centers. He can also play guard.

Wide Receivers (6)

Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Lance Moore, Justin Brown, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey

Brown is a proven commodity. He’s also the only one to step on the field for the Steelers. Let’s hope Ben is in sync with his wideouts.

Steelers 2014 Defense

Nose Tackles (2)
Steve McLendon, Dan McCullers

The word from Johnny Mitchell is that Steve McLendon needs to focus on being Steve McLendon and not Casey Hampton. Let’s hope he’s right. McCullers intrigued in training camp and preseason, and if a kid this shows that he really can learn his craft, watch out.

Defensive Ends (4)
Cameron Heyward, Brett Keisel, Cam Thomas, Stephon Tuitt

On paper, a solid mix of the old, new, now and in between.

Inside Llinebackers (5)
Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Sean Spence, Vince Williams, Terence Garvin

In one year, this position swings from being the Steelers weakest, to its deepest. Garvin is also doubling as a backup outside – on paper at least.

Outside Linebackers (3)
 Jason Worilds, Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats

The outside linebackers have long been the mainstay of the Steelers 3-4 zone blitz defense. Jones needs to make the year two leap, and Jason Worilds needs to both stay healthy and show he’s worth the money he wants to make. Depth is exceptionally thin.

Cornerbacks (6)
Ike Taylor, Cortez Allen, William Gay, Brice McCain, Antwon Blake, B.W. Webb

All of the pundits both outside and inside Pittsburgh expected the Steelers to devote considerable resources to upgrading here. Instead, they got Brice McClain. The Steelers need the proverbial “One more year” out of Taylor.

Safeties (5)
Troy Polamalu, Mike Mitchell, Shamarko Thomas, Robert Golden, Will Allen

Perhaps the deepest the Steelers have ever been at this position. The Steelers need Mitchell to deliver, while they also need to work Thomas onto the field. Needless to say, when Dan Rooney prays his Rosary, he should include a special intention for Polamalu’s health.

Specialists (3)
Kicker – Shaun Suisham
Punter – Brad Wing
Long snappers – Greg Warren

Suisham had a shaky preseason, which is not encouraging. Brad Wing won the punting job by default – sure, punting might not correlate to Lombardi’s, but a solid punter can wall paper over a lot of deficiencies on either offense or defense. Greg Warren is apparently healthy, which is good as he’s got to do one thing, and historically he’s done it well.

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