5 Surprise Cuts Steelers Could Make

The Pittsburgh Steelers could move on from some notable veterans.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are already beginning to trim their 90-man roster down to 53, as they approach the deadline. So far, there hasn't been a shocking cut, but that could change as Pittsburgh continues to narrow their regular season team. 

The Steelers look different than years past. This team has depth on both sides of the ball, and young players making noise - and earning spots on their 53-man roster. 

When it's all said and done, these five players could be surprising cuts to make room for some of those young guys. 

Zach Gentry, TE

The Steelers have four tight ends if you include Connor Heyward, and it made a lot of sense to keep Gentry around this season as Darnell Washington developed. But the rookie has clearly surpassed Gentry on the depth chart, and if that's the case, you have to wonder if the team keeps all four. 

Many will argue that Heyward is being utilized more at fullback and as a runner, and they're not wrong. If they don't classify Heyward as a tight end, Gentry is probably safe. But he's worked all summer with the tight end group, and still played at the position in the preseason. 

If he's still going to be utilized there, Gentry could be the odd man out. 

James Pierre, CB

The Steelers likely need a fourth cornerback. Pierre struggled all summer, and in the preseason, he did more to hurt his chances than help them. Luq Barcoo didn't do enough to jump him, which makes you wonder if the Steelers will go outside the roster to find their final corner. 

They did it last season at outside linebacker, and it feels like if there's any position they'd make a last-minute change for this year, it'd have to be cornerback. 

Tre Norwood, DB

Norwood's injury hurt his case. The third-year defensive back was working in the slot and at safety, and was playing with the first-team while Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal missed time. Unfortunately, he missed time in the preseason, and it's tough to believe he was able to bounce back in such a limited time. 

The emergence of Elijah Riley, who has safety experience, feels like a more likely option as the Steelers' extra defensive back at this time. 

Miles Killebrew, DB

Killebrew falls into the same Elijah Riley trap as Norwood. Do the Steelers feel more comfortable keeping Riley, who can play nickel, safety and is a special teams ace, than they do keeping Killebrew? 

Coming into the summer, there were no questions about whether or not Killebrew was on the final roster. But after playing barely any defense during training camp and the preseason, you have to wonder if special teams value can be replaced in other guys that offer defensive value as well. 

Myles Boykin, WR

The Steelers kept sixth wide receivers last season, but that was more of a luxury. This year, Boykin hasn't done enough to impress, Dez Fitzpatrick has made a small argument to surpass him, and Gunner Olszewski feels like a lock. 

Right now, it's tough to envision how the Steelers wide receiver room looks at the bottom of the depth chart, but it feels more like it'll just be Olszewski than him and another. 

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