The team also retained just five cornerbacks and five receivers, one fewer than the team had on its initial 2023 roster.
That could suggest the team could look to add at both positions once it goes through what’s available, though again, with Smith’s desire to use more tight end packages, the need for six wide receivers is reduced.
The Steelers also signed Cordarrelle Patterson this offseason. Patterson, now considered a running back and one of the league’s top kick returners, came into the NFL as a receiver and also has extensive experience at the position.
Rookie Beanie Bishop is the leading candidate to be the nickel cornerback, though strong safety DeShon Elliott has also played the position throughout training camp and the preseason, when the team transitions to a three-safety package with Damontae Kazee taking the field with Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The only 2024 draft pick not on the initial roster is defensive back Ryan Watts, who showed promise in the preseason as a safety with some corner ability and as a gunner in punt coverage. Watts was injured late in the fourth quarter of the team’s final preseason game in Detroit and was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday.
With Watts finished for the season, veteran Jalen Elliott joined the roster as a safety and special teams player.
Two other rookies injured in the preseason were not placed on injured reserve, as first-round pick Troy Fautanu and third-round pick Roman Wilson were both added to the initial 53-man roster, meaning the team expects them to return to the field sooner rather than later.
Fautanu played right tackle in the team’s first preseason game but suffered a knee sprain and hasn’t practiced since, while Wilson, a wide receiver, suffered a sprained ankle in training camp and missed the entire preseason.
