4 Steelers UDFAs with the best chance to make the roster in 2022
Steelers RB Mataeo Durant, Duke
Durant was the Steelers biggest UDFA signing due to the contract he received. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, he was given a $15,000 signing bonus.
Pittsburgh Steelers have done their largest undrafted free agent running back contract in franchise history with a $15,000 signing bonus for @real_durant Deal was negotiated by @AgentGrady_ Steelers longtime policy is to not do base salary guarantees for UDFAs, just signing bonus
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 1, 2022
The Steelers went out of their comfort zone to sign Durant to this deal which is a major factor in his chances to make the roster. It is minuscule when compared to star player deals but, they must like him enough to give him that deal.
In college, Durant played in 42 games in his four years there rushing for 2,562 yards and 18 touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in that span while getting the bulk of his carries in his final two seasons.
Durant has excellent speed which is likely what drew the Steelers to him. They currently have their workhorse in Najee Harris but they desperately need a reliable second back.
The Steelers will hope that Durant can provide what they tried to get out of Anthony McFarland after they drafted him in 2020 in the fourth round. They invested much more into McFarland than Durant but, as I said earlier, talent and production determine roster spots, not draft status.