Early 53 man roster projections for the Steelers after the 2023 NFL Draft

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Dec 18, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts after a sack in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Steelers 53-man roster Linebackers (8): T.J. Watt, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Alex Highsmith, Quincy Roche, Mark Robinson, Tanner Muse, Nick Herbig

The Steelers made significant changes to this unit this offseason by allowing Myles Jack and Devin Bush to leave. The Steelers previous inside linebacker tandem underperformed significantly last season and Cole Holcolmb and Elandon Roberts were signed this offseason as replacements. They should be seen as upgrades to the interior of the Steelers defense, and have demonstrated strong play against the run in their careers thus far.

Behind the starting unit of linebackers, I think the Steelers opt to use roster spots to keep considerable help in order to rotate linebackers and to account for any potential injuries as we head into the season. Nick Herbig is the most interesting of the second unit. After the Steelers drafted him in the fourth round of this year’s draft. he had 21 sacks in 31 career games at Wisconsin and could vie for playing time as an edge rusher in certain defensive sets as a rookie.

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