5 Steelers players on the roster bubble ahead of OTAs

Zach Gentry, tight end

Former 5th round draft choice or not, Zach Gentry is going to have a difficult time making the final roster in 2021. While his size could be an asset (6’8”, 265 pounds), he offers little athletic upside and hasn’t shown much of anything during his first two NFL seasons.

Gentry is a traditional inline ‘Y’ tight end, but the former quarterback recruit isn’t a particularly great blocker and he’s a lumbering athlete. Obviously, 2nd round pick Pat Freiermuth and veteran Eric Ebron are roster locks for the Steelers in 2021, and if Pittsburgh elects to keep a third tight end on hand, this spot is wide open.

However, even if this is the case, Gentry isn’t guaranteed to make the roster. Kevin Rader and Dax Raymond are likely his biggest competition this year. Neither former undrafted free agent does anything particularly well, but Rader might be the best blocker of the three – potentially giving him the edge to make the roster over Gentry.

Time will tell which of these players make the roster, and we will get a much clearer picture of this once training camp begins. As of now, however, these five players appear to be in jeopardy of losing their roster spots as we get ready to enter OTAs.