
Predicting the Steelers 53-man roster: Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith trade edition
Pittsburgh didn't replace Minkah Fitzpatrick in our updated prediction — instead choosing to run with three safeties on the 53-man roster.
Quarterback (3)
Fullback (1)
Running back (3)
Wide receiver (6)
Tight end (4)
Offensive tackle (4)
Offensive guard (4)
Center (2)
Defensive tackle (2)
Nose tackle (2)
Defensive end (2)
Outside linebacker (4)
Inside linebacker (4)
Cornerback (6)
Safety (3)
Kicker (1)
Punter (1)
Long snapper (1)
What's changed?
In our previous 53-man roster prediction, the Steelers carried three tight ends, six cornerbacks, and four safeties — but with the loss of Fitzpatrick and the additions of Ramsey and Smith, one position group had to give.
In our updated projection, the Arthur Smith-led offense opts to keep four tight ends, with TE Connor Heyward earning the fourth spot.
Ramsey's versatility to play anywhere in the secondary allows the Steelers to roll with just three safeties. Unfortunately, CB Brandin Echols didn't make the final 53-man roster projection.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
7 minutes ago
- USA Today
Cowboys give $52M, 4-year deal to player who 'set a new record for worst' TE season ever
The Dallas Cowboys' extension machine works on both ends of the spectrum equally. While most of the attention is paid to the front office's wait-and-get-played strategy that routinely has had them setting or blowing up the market with extensions for players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and soon-to-be Micah Parsons, the team also dabbles in making deals with players who don't have much leverage. Sometimes that takes the form of a deal after three years for Ezekiel Elliott, and other times it looks like the extension given to Jaylon Smith. On Sunday, as the second week of 2025 training camp gets underway, the team has announced a deal with a player many thought would wait until he's re-established himself as a league star, risking him to the open market. Tight end Jake Ferguson, who a year after making the Pro Bowl had a disastrous campaign, has agreed to a four-year extension worth $52 million. The deal contains $30 million in guarantees. The $13 million average salary for the four new years slots Ferguson as the No. 7 highest-paid TE in the league, sandwiched in between David Njoku in Cleveland and Cole Kmet in Chicago. The 49ers George Kittle and Cardinals' Trey McBride set the pace for the position making $19.1 million and $19 million, respectively. Ferguson's $30 million in guarantees also ranks seventh for the position. He was getting ready to play in the final year of his rookie contract for $3.4 million after being a fourth-round pick (No. 129 overall) in 2022. Assuming the deal lowers his base salary to league minimum of $1.1 million, his cap hit is going to basically remain the same, under $4 million. Ferguson suffered an early season injury last year and had what some consider the statistically worse season ever for a tight end, according to Football Outsiders' Aaron Schatz. Ferguson's record-low DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) number was fueled by a ton of drops and fumbles, and having no touchdowns to show for a ton of targets. There's been plenty of scuttlebutt this offseason about second-year tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford surpassing 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker on the depth chart and potentially emerging as the team's No. 1 TE in the very near future. However Ferguson has appeared to be back to his old self as he's reunited with QB Dak Prescott and reclaimed the throne despite Spann-Ford's progress from a up-and-coming blocking tight end into a well-rounded weapon. Ferguson did not fair well as the only other viable passing option after CeeDee Lamb in 2024, as defenses gave him bracket coverage. The addition of George Pickens to the offense should allow Ferguson to thrive again, and set him up for a highly productive 2025 campaign. The Cowboys' front office appears to believe what they are seeing and rather than waiting on a return to Pro Bowl status that would hike Ferguson's asking price, finalized the deal without impacting their 2025 cap space they can roll over to next season.


USA Today
7 minutes ago
- USA Today
Iowa football shares unique behind-the-scenes look at Big Ten media days
This must be why they call it the entertainment capital of the the scenes from Vegas 🎬#Hawkeyes x #B1GMediaDays As Iowa football experienced its first conference visit to Las Vegas on Thursday for the 2025 Big Ten media days at the Mandalay Bay Resort, the Hawkeyes released a unique behind-the-scenes look at the annual preseason event. While Iowa's group of representatives, which included head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Koen Entringer, defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett, and offensive lineman Logan Jones, had to wait until the last day of the three-day event to make their appearance, the Hawkeyes were still able to enjoy the spotlight in Sin City. In a behind-the-scenes video posted on their social media platforms, the program provided a very personable view of the proceedings through the lens of the three current athletes accompanying Ferentz. The video captured every aspect of Thursday's 2025 Big Ten media days appearance, spanning from the flight to Las Vegas to the humorous questions asked by the players to their soon-to-be 70-year-old head coach. As the Hawkeyes enter the 2025-26 campaign with an improving offense to pair with their top-tier defense, Iowa could be primed for a magical season fans have been dreaming of. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews


USA Today
7 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams is switching positions with Raiders
Safety seems like it's been a busy position for the Raiders this offseason. They gave Isaiah Pola-Mao a long term extension and their only free agent addition to sign more than a one-year deal was safety Jaremy Chinn, seemingly giving them two new starters to replace the losses of Tre'von Moehrig and Marcus Epps. Then the same day they added Chinn, they also signed Lonnie Johnson Jr. So, they seemed set. And yet just prior to the first day of camp they also added safety TJ Scott and former Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams. Now, suddenly they were looking at a logjam at safety. But when Adams took the field, he was working with the linebackers instead. The 6-1, 213-pounder is trying to make a comeback after splitting last season between the Titans and the Lions' practice squad. And his former Seahawks head coach sees a change of positions is the best way to accomplish that. "I told him right off the bat, I want him to play inside," Carroll said of Adams. "He's always been so instinctive and so aggressive and such a run-through guy, been a fantastic blitzer over his time. So, I want to put him in position to do that. So, he's jumped right into the WILL spot, and that gives us some flexibility that we're going to grow with. He looks really good. He had a real serious injury a bit ago. He looks like he's back. Weighing a little bit more than he was before, he fit just right. I'm really anxious to see how he takes it." Linebacker has also been completely overhauled this offseason for the Raiders. Former starters Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo were allowed to leave in free agency. They then seemingly replaced them with former Steelers MLB Elandon Roberts and former Bucs OLB Devin White. Now both Roberts and White have some competition with the additions of Adams and former Bengals LB Germaine Pratt. Carroll has preached competition. He wasn't lying.