Post-Draft 55 Man Roster/Depth Chart Prediction

[kurgan]

23 minutes ago, bigben07MVP said:

I don't recall that play but we must have different views on Johnson then. I see him as the next AB/Manny Sanders for us. That guy who Ben can trust to get open and create some separation on 3rd and 5. He no doubt has earned the #2 spot based off what he showed last year and it wouldn't shock me if he takes a massive leap and overtakes JuJu as #1 by the end of the season.

I like what Washington brings as well but he's no where near as complete of a receiver as DJ. Washington sort of reminds me of Markus Wheaton. Really solid player and fringe #2 receiver. Has his moments and big games but is never really super consistent. 

I am more in this camp, TBH.  DJ has shown the ability win outside and inside.  So has JJSS to a degree, but he is better inside.  JW, to me, is all outside.  Deon Cain, if kept, is all outside as well.

We have lots of slot weapons.  JJSS, EE and now CC can all play slot.

[Displayname]

2 hours ago, bigben07MVP said:

I don't recall that play but we must have different views on Johnson then. I see him as the next AB/Manny Sanders for us. That guy who Ben can trust to get open and create some separation on 3rd and 5. He no doubt has earned the #2 spot based off what he showed last year and it wouldn't shock me if he takes a massive leap and overtakes JuJu as #1 by the end of the season.

I like what Washington brings as well but he's no where near as complete of a receiver as DJ. Washington sort of reminds me of Markus Wheaton. Really solid player and fringe #2 receiver. Has his moments and big games but is never really super consistent. 

It was against the browns the second time. It caused an INT. I don’t have the games taped, that one stuck out the most. I saw him do it a few times over the year. I’m not saying he isn’t skilled or talented. I don’t like players giving up like that. Especially when we really couldn’t afford to with our offense last year. With our WR corps and the way we invest in it year in and out, there’s no reason not to expect a better effort then that. Possibly even being the best overall group in the league.

[kurgan]

OK @bigben07MVP... here ya go!!!!

kurgan's 55 man roster:

• Offense-26
  • QB (3)-Big Ben, Mason Rudolph, Paxton Lynch
  • RB (5)-James Connor, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels, Derek Watt
  • WR (5)-JJSS, DJ, JWash, EE, CC
  • TE (3)-Vance, Gentry, CSW
  • OL (10)-AV, Pouncey, DDC, Feiler, Wiz, Chuks, Banner, Dotson, Gray, (Hassenhaur)
• Defense-26
  • DL (6)-Heyward, Tuitt, Wormley, Buggs, McCullers, Coatney
  • Edge (5)-Watt, Bud, Ola, Highsmith, Tuzar
  • ILB (5)-Bush, UG3, Vince, Spillane, John Houston
  • CB (6)-Haden, Nelson, Hiton, Sutton, Layne, (Myers)
  • S (4)-Fitz, Edmunds, Danger, Brooks
• Specialists-3
  • Kicker (1)-Boz
  • Punter (1)-Berry
  • LS (1)- Canaday
• Gameday Inactives:
  • Lynch, Gentry/CSW, Dotson/Gray, Coatney, Tuzar
• Special Teams 
  • 4 phase (9): Watt, CC, Ola, Highsmith, UG3, Spillane, Houston, Dangerfield, Brooks
  • Gunners (2): Layne, CC 
  • Returners: DJ, McFarland, Sutton (PR)
• Practice Squad (10 + Hassenhaur/Myers)
  • QB: JT Barrett
  • RB: Kerrith White
  • WR: Deon Cain, Anthony Johnson
  • TE: Kevin Radar
  • OL: Jarron Jones
  • DL: Carlos Davis
  • Edge: Calvin Taylor
  • CB: Trajan Bandy
  • S: Tyree Kinnel
• Last/Suprising Cuts:
  • Duck Hodges: Lynch fits more our offense/is a vet.  Tried to get him on the PS, but I feel like that guy has to be Lamar Jackson twice a year in practice.  Duck can't.
  • Tyson Alualu:  Would save $$, and the addition of Wormley, Coatney and Walker show he is replaceable.  If Buggs continues to get better, he and Wormley are the backup ends, not Alualu.  Coatney is GOOD, and will really push Tyson down.
  • Deon Cain: No special teams value and CC does the same thing he does.  Hopefully can get him on the PS.
  • Ryan Switzer: If McFarland can return, Swiz has no role.  EE is the new slot WR.
  • Marcus Allen: Regressed + Sutton/Hilton to S.

 

Positional Notes:

QB--Easy call here.  Ben is the man, Mason needs to answer questions and develop.  Lynch is a vet and has a cannon.  With a whole offseason, he might get the playbook more and be able to do more in a pinch.  As a said in the cut portion, Duck is a great story and has some value that I would like to flip for a pick, but he can't simulate Jackson at practice and does not offer the arm talent and control Lynch does, IMO.

RB-Another easy call.  Connor and Snell are the main backs, and Samuels is the only 3rd down back we have.  McFarland is the COP back and is only playable on 1st and 2nd down right now.  His pass pro and receiving skills are raw.  Look for him to start on the Kerrith White plan, where he gets 8-10 snaps and 6-8 touches a game, to see if he can go house.  His role will expand as the year goes along and if/when Connor gets dinged.  Watt is the FB, and will be a part of the offense as well as a 4 Phase ST guy.

WR-We only carried 5 last year to start the season, and I REFUSE to list Ebron as a TE.  He is nothing more or less than a slot/mismatch guy.  So, I have him with the WR.  For this exercise, the first four are set with JJSS, JW, DJ and CC.  EE is my 5.  Formations are multiple, and there are mismatches everywhere.  Cain was a casualty as CC does many of the same things he does, and Cain does not play ST.  EE, for all intents and purposes, takes Switzer's role as a full time slot WR, just a different type.  Also, all 5 will be active on gamedays, and Samuels/Vance can work in sets if we get dinged.

TE-I kept 3, but only two will be active based on game plan.  Vance is the best we got, and will play some as a flex and some inline.  Gentry is coming along and the FO has stated that they like his progress.  He would be the guy that would take over Vance snaps if he couldn't go.  CSW makes it as a blocker/pop pass guy.  With Banner maybe playing more snaps as a RT, we need a hoss blocker, and Tomlin told CSW that if he could block 4-3 ends, he would have a job.  So, I am banking on the huge Brit to get squared away and be active in half the games.

OL-So, here is what I understand.  You can bring 2 guys up from the PS on gamedays but you still have 5 inactive players.  So, this causes a bubble in which someone on the active roster sits while a PS guy gets emergency player status.  Either way,  I have this shaking down like this: We know AV, Pouncey, DDC, Feiler, Chuks, Banner and Wiz are in.  Those 7 are ready to go and that gives you 5 + swing tackle/swing IOL set.  Cool.  Now, due to age + injury + expanded 55 man roster, I could see us keeping both Gray and Dotson on the active roster.  Now, depending on game plan/who had a better week, one is inactive on gameday and other is lineman #8.  Hassenhaur, in this case, comes up from the PS and is the emergency OL.

DL-So, punting on Alualu has made this group flexible.  So, first, 5 of my 6 dudes have the same body type (6'2-6'5" 280-310) and the only standout is McCullers.  So, I have to have a short yardage/base 3-4 NT, and until someone beats him, he is the guy.  I don't see Carlos Davis doing it, so he is it.  Now, we know that in base the ends play over the tackle, then on subpacakges, so down into A and B gap.  All of these dudes can do this.  Tuitt and Heyward, if healthy, do it 80%+ of the time.  So, what roles do the others have?  Wormley is a great run defender, so I could see him on early downs, and Buggs is the sophomore who is getting better.  Coatney is the surprise that didn't get drafted, but I could see making some real noise.  I stashed Davis on the PS so he can get coached up and developed.

Edge-Another easy group.  We usually keep 5, and we have 5.  The first four are locks (Watt, Bud, Highsmith and Ola) and Tuzar would have to fall on his face to not make it.  Now, someone will have to be inactive, and right now I have that as Tuzar, but if Highsmith isn't ready, it could be him.  Either way, I could see Ola soaking up 60% of Chick's reps, and Highsmith the other 40% during a game.  Any of the 3 would be great on ST.

ILB-Pretty easy group here too.  We've always kept 5, and we have 4 we know.  Bush, UG3, Vince and Spillane are locks.  I like the UDFA John Houston, and could see him making the roster AND getting a hat for ST.  He was an under the radar guy, and his floor, to me, is Spillane so he would work as a ST guy.  You could make the argument for 4 ILB with Brooks counting as a ILB, but I think Brooks starts as a S since we have NO depth there.  Really, Brooks is a different position, but for this exercise, he is with safeties.

CB-Easiest position... 5 for sures out of 6 spots.  Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Sutton and Layne are on, and there is one spot left.  I have Myers taking it as the PS call-up..  If I had one more player I really liked, I would put them on and probably take Houston off, but the next DB I like is either Bandy or Springs.  We play with 3 CB's in 60% of snaps, so having 6 is key.

S-Another easy slot, with only Marcus Allen being an issue.  I see us with 4, Minkah, Edmunds, Brooks and Danger.  Danger is ST only, and Brooks is young, so Sutton/Hilton would be real backup safeties, but Danger can play a snap here and there.  But, we do have 10 DBs active, so whatever 5 we use on any given play, we have some flexibility.

Specialists-As much as we all want the UDFA punter to beat out Berry... 

Inactives- Based on gameplan... Lynch, Tuzar (or 5th Edge) and  Coatney (or 6th DL) for sure, and then Gentry/CSW and Dotson/Gray based on gameplan.

PS: Barrett is kept so he can be LJ twice a year, White as RB # 5 in a callup scenario, Cain as a callup and Johnson as a project outside WR, Radar cuz he is always around, Jones as a project LT, Davis as the the NG project, Taylor as a mismatch EDGE that needs to be refined (or an OT convert), Bandy as a nasty nickel guy and Kinnel as an emergency S that could play, but has a low ceiling.

 

Thoughts??

 

[bigben07MVP]

My biggest initial gripe is CSW making it over Cain. Ebron isn’t a tight end but I believe he’ll be listed as one in terms of roster construction. While Cain has no ST value I think he can be really solid depth if god forbid JuJu has injuries again. I get that he is a little redundant with Claypool but he still brings more value as a first man up/WR5 than CSW would bring as an TE3/TE4 depending on how you view Ebron. Worth mentioning that eventually Claypool could line up in some TE positions on run plays.

I’m a believer in Buggs so I am ok with your theory of letting Alualu go, especially if we can use that money to bring in a vet FA at ILB, S, or NT.

I hope they keep JT Barrett around on the PS at the very least to mimick Lamar in practice when we play the Ravens.

Other than that I have no complaints. I really think they are not done adding talent to the roster whether that will be via trade or free agent who knows. I wouldn’t even be suprised if we trade a future 2nd or 3rd round pick for someone before the season starts. Not sure who that would be but I could see it happening.

[kurgan]

3 minutes ago, bigben07MVP said:

My biggest initial gripe is CSW making it over Cain. Ebron isn’t a tight end but I believe he’ll be listed as one in terms of roster construction. While Cain has no ST value I think he can be really solid depth if god forbid JuJu has injuries again. I get that he is a little redundant with Claypool but he still brings more value as a first man up/WR5 than CSW would bring as an TE3/TE4 depending on how you view Ebron. Worth mentioning that eventually Claypool could line up in some TE positions on run plays.

I’m a believer in Buggs so I am ok with your theory of letting Alualu go, especially if we can use that money to bring in a vet FA at ILB, S, or NT.

I hope they keep JT Barrett around on the PS at the very least to mimick Lamar in practice when we play the Ravens.

Other than that I have no complaints. I really think they are not done adding talent to the roster whether that will be via trade or free agent who knows. I wouldn’t even be suprised if we trade a future 2nd or 3rd round pick for someone before the season starts. Not sure who that would be but I could see it happening.

Yea... I see that.  I am a HUGE CSW mark and I am trying to get him to make it.  But, we carried 5 on the roster last year, and again, EE is NOT a TE.

Theoretically, I could switch Cain off of the PS and CSW on, and have him be a call-up if we need him.  I doubt CSW will be claimed and he will not have enough accrued games to not be eligible.  That will keep Cain on, although in this case, he would be inactive, most likely.  So, it really won't matter.

Looking at the roster, I see adding a vet ILB or S, for sure. And NT.  Cutting Alualu saves us 2.75 (I think) and Big Dan saves 1.5.  Throw those in with the 5.8 we have now and we can get some guys.

[bigben07MVP]

That’s another thing, Cain has a way bigger chance of getting sniped off the PS than CSW.

[Steeler Hitman]

10 hours ago, bigben07MVP said:

That’s another thing, Cain has a way bigger chance of getting sniped off the PS than CSW.

Great point about Cain. That's how we got him last year from Indy.  I like both Cain and CSW. CSW is probably safer on the PS, but I really hope that he has developed and can earn a spot and some game reps as the #4 (I don't think they cut Gentry). 

[turtle28]

Hey guys, haven’t been here in years but I’m still a Steelers fan, after my Redskins of course.

I love the roster breakdown. The only difference I would say on the projected roster is Stefan Wisnewski, I think he’s going to be the Steelers starting LG this year over Matt Feiler. I don’t know anything about Feiler and his name throws me off for obvious reasons.

Why would be projected to be a starter over Wisnewski?

Edited May 1, 2020 by turtle28

[AFF]

3 minutes ago, turtle28 said:

Hey guys, haven’t been here in years but I’m still a Steelers fan, after my Redskins of course.

I love the roster breakdown. The only difference I would say on the projected roster is Stefan Wisnewski, I think he’s going to be the Steelers starting LG this year over Matt Feiler. I don’t know anything about Feiler and his name throws me off for obvious reasons.

Why would be projected to be a starter over Wisnewski?

Played very well last season...2nd best OL behind Decastro...flexibility at RT or LG...very strong.

No one else on roster besides Wiz is C-capable...if he’s starting at LG and Pouncey gets hurt, you then have to replace 2 starting spots cause he has to slide in at OC

[turtle28]

29 minutes ago, AlanFanecaFan said:

Played very well last season...2nd best OL behind Decastro...flexibility at RT or LG...very strong.

No one else on roster besides Wiz is C-capable...if he’s starting at LG and Pouncey gets hurt, you then have to replace 2 starting spots cause he has to slide in at OC

True but, if Wisnewski is better, he should start at LG. Again, I don’t know if he is or isn’t. I do know Wis have been a starter in the league on some good OLs. He played for the Eagles and they’ve had one of the best OLs in the NFL all decade and he started the end of the year and the playoffs for the Chiefs who obviously won the whole damn thing.

Bottomline you start the best players, you don’t put a better player as a back up in case a starter got hurt.

[AFF]

8 minutes ago, turtle28 said:

True but, if Wisnewski is better, he should start at LG. Again, I don’t know if he is or isn’t. I do know Wis have been a starter in the league on some good OLs. He played for the Eagles and they’ve had one of the best OLs in the NFL all decade and he started the end of the year and the playoffs for the Chiefs who obviously won the whole damn thing.

Bottomline you start the best players, you don’t put a better player as a back up in case a starter got hurt.

Feiler is better...there’s a reason Wiz settled for a 2 year $2.7 mill deal and is a journeymen IOL. Not saying he’s bad...very good depth and but shouldn’t be starting a full 16 game season.

[turtle28]

On 4/30/2020 at 11:22 AM, Steeler Hitman said:

This still will all hinge upon a healthy Big Ben, improved OL and rushing attack and the defense playing at least at the same level of 2019 and hopefully, even improving with a healthy Tuitt and improved play from Edmunds. Depth is a concern, but hopefully this team is healthier in 2020 than they were last year losing some key players. Everyone in the division looks like they got better. The Ravens look downright loaded with talent both from vets and rookies. 

I think the Steelers can be a similar team as the Bronco's last SB winning team with Peyton Manning at QB.  I think Ben is healthier and hopefully his arm is as well as he says.   A solid rushing attack with a healthy James Connor, improvements in passing with a healthy Big Ben and Ju Ju. Improvements on defense with a healthy Tuitt, improved Bush and Edmunds. With some of the draft choices, it also looks like the coverage teams should be better.  Are they good enough to knock off  the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Titans, Colts, and Broncos? We will see, but the Steelers look better prepared from a personnel standpoint to compete if they modify their attack.

If healthy last year the Steelers were better than the Bills for sure and the Colts and Broncos? Why are they even in the conversation as being playoff contenders?
 

The Steelers were equivalent to the Bills last year w/o Ben, Juju, Conner & Tuitt. So, if any number of those players are healthy last year the Steelers would’ve been a playoff team for sure.

I definitely think the Steelers will compete for the AFC North Div Championship but most likely the Ravens will win the division again. It’s between the Browns & Steelers for the #2 but if the Steelers are healthy, I still think they are better. The Steelers and Browns may both make the playoffs this year as the wild card teams. 

[bigben07MVP]

6 hours ago, turtle28 said:

If healthy last year the Steelers were better than the Bills for sure and the Colts and Broncos? Why are they even in the conversation as being playoff contenders?
 

The Steelers were equivalent to the Bills last year w/o Ben, Juju, Conner & Tuitt. So, if any number of those players are healthy last year the Steelers would’ve been a playoff team for sure.

I definitely think the Steelers will compete for the AFC North Div Championship but most likely the Ravens will win the division again. It’s between the Browns & Steelers for the #2 but if the Steelers are healthy, I still think they are better. The Steelers and Browns may both make the playoffs this year as the wild card teams. 

Not to get on a Browns tangent but I am not a believe in Baker whatsoever. Outside of a handful of big games against crappy teams his rookie year he has looked below average. You can sign and trade for all the talent in the world but if you have QB who can’t read a defense and make routine plays it’s going to be tough to make the playoffs playing in the AFC North.

[turtle28]

16 hours ago, bigben07MVP said:

Not to get on a Browns tangent but I am not a believe in Baker whatsoever. Outside of a handful of big games against crappy teams his rookie year he has looked below average. You can sign and trade for all the talent in the world but if you have QB who can’t read a defense and make routine plays it’s going to be tough to make the playoffs playing in the AFC North.

I 100% agree about Baker, I’ve always hated the guy. I just don’t like guys with his kind of arrogance period, scum of the earth imo.

I just think they have a lot of talent and will have a capable coach this year so I think that wins them a few more games. Again, I could see a 7-9 or 8-8 season for them, or I could see a 9-7 or 10-6 season where they are the 6th seed and make it to the playoffs. I definitely agree that if they get there it won’t be bc of Baker, it will be more bc of their great running game and defense.

[turtle28]

@kurgan Maybe it’s me, but I think Eric Ebron will play a lot as a true TE, I think he’s the starter over McDonald. And, actually, I think the Steelers are going to run a lot of two TE sets w/ he and Vance on the field together, especially on 1st downs. Maybe Ebron is more of an H-back then true inline TE, but he’s not going to be running WR routes or something. He’s a TE, a new era TE/move TE that’s come around more this decade as offenses have become more and more pass happy.

I also definitely think Cain makes the team and possibly Switzer for his special teams ability and ability in the slot as well. 
 

So, I get that you’re probably not going to do this “for your exercise,” but the reality is that the Steelers will list their TEs & WRs as such IMO:

WR1: Smith-Schuster, J. Washington, Cain

WR2: D. Johnson, Claypool, Switzer

TE1: Ebron, Gentry

TE2: McDonald

Perhaps they keep Christian Scott-Williamson for blocking purposes, but if they keep a FB again and so think they do keep Derek Watt, they’re probably not keeping 4 TEs. I’m not sure they’d keep him over a 5th and 6th WR like Cain & Switzer.

Edited May 2, 2020 by turtle28