With Jesse James no longer in the picture, here’s a look at the Steelers tight end situation for the 2019 season.
The Steelers head into 2019 a little weaker at tight end after losing Jesse James. Here’s how their tight end groups seems to be shaping up as the season approaches:
Roster Locks:
Vance McDonald is a lock to make the roster and is also a lock to be the Steelers primary tight end. When healthy, he is a nice player to have as he can help you as a receiver and as an in-line tight end.
McDonald is very injury prone and so the hope is that the Steelers can have depth behind him in the case that he goes down again. Vance was consistent and healthy enough last year that I am comfortable with him being the primary tight end.
Xavier Grimble will probably become the Steelers #2 tight end with Jesse James leaving. The Steelers organization has seemed to like Grimble despite his production being pedestrian. He has contributed in the pass catching department before and so I could see him being a solid number two option as a receiver, but my worry with Grimble is with his blocking.
Grimble has been in the league for three years and was on the practice squad before that so we have a pretty good idea of what he is now. There isn’t as much room to grow as previously thought.
On the inside Looking Out:
Zach Gentry was drafted in the fifth round, and so my guess is that the plan will be to keep Gentry on the roster and have him develop. At over 6’8”, Gentry was one of the tallest tight ends the NFL has seen in recent years.
However, I didn’t like Gentry’s tape at Michigan. I didn’t see good blocking and I think his route running leaves a little to be desired. I think he is a project, but it seems the Steelers like him and think he can develop. That is why I think he can make the roster even though I am not a big fan of this pick.
Battling for the Practice Squad:
Christian Scotland-Williamson is the Steelers international player, and so his path to staying on the practice squad is a lot easier. I do credit him with sticking around another year and not allowing the spot to go to another international player.
Scotland-Williamson is a former rugby player that has the measurables to play NFL football. My guess is that if he stays healthy and works hard, he will be kept on the practice squad again. He also doesn’t count as one of the ten on the practice squad and is actually the eleventh man on the practice squad when the season starts.
Kevin Rader has an uphill climb to make the Steelers practice squad. Pittsburgh will need to be convinced to keep two tight ends on the practice squad for him to make it. He is a local product from Youngstown State and got his first shot with the Green Bay Packers.
Rader’s best case for making it is that there are no other tight ends competing for the practice squad outside of the international player. His hope for making it is that Scotland-Williamson proves not to be enough depth on the practice squad. Although that is very possible, I don’t have much faith in Rader either.
The Steelers could certainly use some added depth at the tight end position. I think they should look to add another body to compete as training camp rolls on.