Here is my prediction for what the Steelers team will look like for the 2015 season. Enjoy:



QB:

Ben Roethlisberger

Bruce Gradkowski

Tajh Boyd

Analysis:

The first two positions are locks, of course. Ben signed an extension this offseason and Gradkowski is our long term back up a la Charlie Batch. The Steelers haven't drafted a QB since Landry Jones in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. While it hurts the Steelers to give up on a fourth round pick, this would be the year to do it. Even if Jones stays and Boyd is cut, I don't think either will dress for a game, barring injury. I give Boyd the edge, however, as I see him as the better camp contributor and his familiarity with Martavis Bryant should aid the wide receiver's development in practice.

HB:

Le'Veon Bell

DeAngelo Williams

Dri Archer

Analysis:

Another tough cut for the Steelers is Josh Harris. I believe Harris will be given a fair chance to usurp Dri Archer during Bell's three game suspension. But since Archer was a third round pick last year and had such a great 40 time, I don't think the Steelers will risk putting him on the practice squad. Haley views Archer as his Dexter McCluster 2.0 and will design plays specifically for the speedster. Hopefully, those are saved for running out the clock possessions once Bell does return. Bell's consistency is worth much more than Archer's homerun potential. Personally, I think Archer should be practicing his kick and punt returns more than anything else. That's where I see us getting the most ROI with him.

FB:

Will Johnson

Analysis:

Not much to say here. Johnson is a staple in the Steelers offense now and hopefully he stays until he can't do it any more. He's a versatile fullback who can block, run and catch. We just need him to block though. Last year, he recorded six catches and two run attempts. I think that's more or less what we'll see from him this year. I know he can line up as a tight end too but I think Adams will come in as our third blocking TE and rookie Jesse James will be the receiving one.

TE:

Heath Miller

Matt Spaeth

Jesse James

Analysis:

Yes, Heath will be turning 33 this year and it's pretty obvious his best days are behind him. However, Heath is still a top-5 blocking tight end. He won't pull in every tough catch but we will be chanting "HEEEEATH!" multiple times this season. Heath remains a viable starting tight end and he'll be Ben's third or fourth option anyway. Under these managed expectations, Heath will be a solid contributor to this offense. Spaeth will come in as our blocking TE2 and James as our receiving TE2. James may take over for Spaeth on some running plays since offensive line coach Munchak is a master of shifting the o-line, allowing for the TE to block a player in the secondary. That should be much easier for James to pull off and will help confuse opposing defenses. Also, James is 6'7", can jump and has long arms. Ben loves throwing jump balls when in the red zone and James as a TE2 seems like a fun mismatch to exploit.



WR:

Antonio Brown

Markus Wheaton

Martavis Bryant

Sammie Coates

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Analysis:

Remember how good our offense was last year? I think it'll get a whole lot better with Coates. Many fans scratched their heads with this pick but to me it makes perfect sense. Everyone and their mom knows that this is a passing league. In today's NFL, a nickelback can be considered a starter. Heck, look at the Bengals depth chart at corner. On offense, you want to spread the defensive talent as thin as you can. Having four quality WRs will do that. Brown alone creates mismatches and calls for double teams. Just imagine the nightmares this receiving arsenal will give to defensive coordinators. As for DHB, he will play mostly on special teams where he contributed well last year.



OL:

Kelvin Beachum (LT)

Ramon Foster (LG)

Maurkice Pouncey (C)

David DeCastro (RG)

Marcus Gilbert (RT)

Mike Adams

Chris Hubbard

Cody Wallace

Analysis:

Pretty straightforward here. In 2010, the Steelers began investing in the offensive line, starting with Pouncey. DeCastro, Beachum and Gilbert have all stepped up and played quite well late into the season. Foster provides the veteran wisdom to help the younger guys focus and is a serviceable guard. Ideally, Adams would have panned out and the undersized but technical Beachum would play at left guard. Regardless, Munchak has a great young squad and will be given some depth to work on as well.

DE:

Cam Heyward

Stephon Tuitt

Cam Thomas

Clifton Geathers

Analysis:

Yeah, I know. Another year of Cam Thomas. I'm just as unhappy about it as you are. I hope at some point this season, we see Geathers ranked above him. Either way, both will get ample playing time as teams must constantly rotate defensive linemen. Cam Heyward, on the other hand, is a very different story. He's becoming the vocal leader this defense needs and is easily our best defensive linemen. Daniel McCullers is expected to try defensive end duties as well and maybe he'll stick. There are also 6th round draft picks Leterrius Walton and Anthony Chickillo. These are both rookies who played mostly D-Line in college and could be tested at the end positions although I wouldn't expect it.



DT:

Steve McClendon

Daniel McCullers

Leterrius Walton

Analysis:

McCullers, last year's sixth round pick, did log a few snaps and reports say he's been improving nicely. McCullers is much better at clogging up offensive linemen than he is at getting to the quarterback so I think he sticks as a DT. Cam Thomas can play both defensive end and tackle so he may get to play second fiddle like last year. However, I think McCullers can clog up linemen better than Thomas, leaving Thomas as primarily a back up end. I see this particular situation playing out into the season, meaning Cam Thomas gets DT2 duties in week 1. I know, I'm unhappy about it too. I see Walton following McCuller's footsteps from last year. He may take some time on the practice squad but he'll be called upon. Preferably sooner than later so Cam Thomas doesn't get as many snaps. (Sorry Cam, I don't mean to be so harsh).



OLB:

James Harrison

Arthur Moats

Jarvis Jones

Bud Dupree

Anthony Chickillo

Analysis:

Don't sleep on Deebo. I swear it happens every year. Harrison is an old player, yes. But he's still probably the Steelers best OLB. He was last year and while Dupree is a great addition, Harrison just knows this game so well. He's also still tenacious and now he'll have a full offseason to train. And to train these new young guys. Very exciting to have him and Joey Porter coaching the future tandem up. Overall, I see this group as one that will have a heavy rotation. Jones and Dupree will be given many chances to shine and I think they'll take advantage of it. Chickillo makes the team as a special teams player and so he doesn't get poached on the practice squad. Dupree and Jones are likely to join him on special teams as well.



MLB:

Lawrence Timmons

Ryan Shazier

Vince Williams

Sean Spence

Jordan Zumwalt

Analysis:

With Ike, Polamalu, and Kiesel gone after this offseason, Timmons and Harrison are the last bastions of the Steelers defense we're so used to seeing. Timmons made his first pro bowl last year and is solidly the number one MLB on this team. Shazier was a first round pick and has a skill-set unmatched in this linebacking corp and will get the nod to start just like last year. Spence resembles a slower version of Shazier while VW is a power hitter. Given that Shazier can play like Spence but better, I think VW gets more playing time than Spence. I understand that they technically play two different spots as MLBs but I see the Steelers lining up VW on running plays with Timmons regardless. Seriously, VW punishes ball carriers while Shazier and Spence are a bit lighter. Zumwalt makes the team over Terence Garvin as the Steelers don't want to risk losing him on the practice squad. Zumwalt is a high motor guy who, like Arthur Moats, can provide depth along the linebacking corp. Zumwalt, Spence, VW and maybe Shazier will be impact contributors on special teams as well.

CB:

William Gay

Cortez Allen

Antwon Blake

Senquez Golson

Doran Grant

BW Webb

Analysis:

The Steelers will watch Cortez Allen closely during preseason. They'll need to determine quickly if they can rely on Allen to defend against Tom Brady in Week 1. I have faith in Allen. He has the tools to develop into a serviceable CB1. If we gave up on him now, there will be teams lining up the door to pick him up. It is a big and scary concern if he can't do it. There just isn't a whole lot of experience behind him and he's the only cornerback over 6'. Allen is a bit of a make-or-break player for us but the defense as a whole is getting better. I think Allen steps up and follows suit. William Gay, of course, has been consistent for us since vacationing returning from Arizona. I think Blake gets the nod at nickelback due to his experience and reliable tackling. I can see a rotation at nickel, though, depending on the receiver he must cover. In that case, rookies Golson and Grant will be thrown in the mix. Their inexperience may cost us though, so this may not occur until midseason or later. BW Webb adds depth and will play on special teams alongside the rookies and perhaps Blake. I think the Steelers keep six cornerbacks as insurance in case Allen struggles.

SS:

Shamarko Thomas

Will Allen

Analysis:

The torch has finally been passed down. Shamarko got the unique opportunity to work out with Polamalu during last year's offseason. Now it's finally time to see why the Steelers traded up to get the Syracuse product. It is a bit worrying that Will Allen started over Shamarko last year during Polamalu's absence. Hopefully, that was just due to his experience and the fact that Will Allen has plenty left in the tank. I think those reasons are why the veteran Allen sticks with the Steelers for another year.



FS:

Mike Mitchell

Gerrod Holliman

Analysis:

After Cortez Allen, this is my biggest fear with this defense. Mitchell is a good safety. The thing is, he's a good strong safety. That's what he primarily played in Carolina. He's shown that he's a big hitter. He's also shown that he's not all that great in coverage. This seems to be the same skill-set as Shamarko (and last year's version of Polamalu). He is no Ryan Clark 2.0 but maybe the Steelers can make it work. It is worrying. I like Holliman a lot. He's not a particularly gifted athlete but he knows how to get to the ball while it's still in the air, unlike Mitchell. To me, he seems to be the most natural free safety on this team and that's not really ideal. I think the Steelers keep him on the active roster to prevent poachers (he did lead the NCAA in interceptions after all) and Holliman will be special teams player until he develops. Golden was once a standout on special teams but it seems like competition will be high there as well. He gets cut out of necessity, though the Steelers like retaining special team safeties like Golden and Ventrone. They may risk placing a low round rookie on the practice squad to keep Golden but I think they'll be wary after what happened with Wesley Johnson last season.

K:

Shaun Suisham

Analysis:

Suisham made over 90% of his field goals last year and sealed some game winners as well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

P:

Brad Wing

Analysis:

Brad Wing is raw. That was pretty obvious during pre-season last year. But when a family emergency prevented Adam Podlesh from joining the Steelers, Wing was our best option. He flubbed a punt for only 29 yards, allowing the Buccaneers to come back against us. We've been enduring his growing pains and hopefully this season he'll find his consistency. Wing will be a really good punter if he does. He has the leg for it and the improv-ability when a snap goes awry (remember his pass to Spaeth for a two-point conversion?). The potential is definitely there, let's just hope for the consistency.

LS:

Greg Warren

Analysis:

Warren has been the Steelers long snapper since 2005. Ten years later, the man is still making money chucking a ball through his legs. Dirty.