Pittsburgh Steelers: Meet the pick, TE Zach Gentry

The Steelers had a big year from Vance McDonald and it was much-needed. Unfortunately Jesse James left in free agency – leaving the team to draft Zach Gentry in the fifth round.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have searched for tight end depth and production ever since Heath Miller hung up his cleats prior to the 2016 NFL season. They drafted Jesse James in 2015 and signed a big play guy in Ladarius Green in 2016 to try to fill Miller’s shoes.

Green had injury issues when playing for the Chargers and those issues continued in Pittsburgh. He rarely saw the field and proved to be a wasted splash signing by the Steelers.

Jesse James, however, has provided the Steelers with consistency and depth since his rookie season. The Steelers always seemed reluctant to give him the keys to the starting role, as shown by signing Green then trading for McDonald in back to back seasons.

James left Pittsburgh for Detroit with a sour taste in his mouth and no one can really blame him. This left the Steelers with a need at tight end and they filled it with a guy who many would consider to be a Jesse James clone.

Zach Gentry is a lot like James in that he is a huge tight end that can run well for his size. James stood at 6’7″ and weighed 261 pounds coming out of Penn State, while Gentry stands an inch taller at 6’8″ and 265. Both showed respectable 40 times for their size with Gentry at 4.9 (unofficial) and James at 4.83.

James is the stronger of the two and a bit more athletic but if you’re trying to get an idea for what Gentry will be in Pittsburgh, you should definitely think Jesse James in his rookie year. Gentry is a little more raw than James was but their similarities are hard to ignore.

Gentry was recruited as a quarterback originally to Michigan and made the switch to tight end in his junior season. He compiled 49 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in just two seasons at tight end.

He is in a similar position as James was in his rookie season. While he isn’t sitting behind a Steelers legend, he does have the luxury of not having to be a number one and sitting behind an established veteran like Vance McDonald.

If Gentry can use his size to his advantage in his run blocking and keep learning the tight end position, his athleticism will make his potential ceiling even higher than Jesse James’ was. Only time will tell, but I think Gentry could develop into a nice option for the Steelers passing game in a few years.