We have had some time to chew on this rookie class, and as I do every year, I want to rank the undrafted rookie pool of players brought in.
The Steelers brought in a larger-than-usual class for the Omar Khan level, but unfortunately, that is the only notable change. The rest of the league has adopted strategies to attract high-end undrafted players to their team, typically guaranteeing part of their contract to sign.
The Steelers, annoyingly, have not.
That said, the team did give out a notable signing bonus and did have a few names that were intriguing in this class. While they will have to make it out of rookie mini camp to get to Latrobe, there are some elements to build on with this group.
Ranking the eight undrafted free agents the Steelers signed after the NFL Draft
Steelers UDFA #8: Roc Taylor, WR, Memphis
If you were just box score scouting, there would be a lot to like with Roc Taylor. He has a big frame, was productive at Memphis, and tested well at the combine. If anything, he would look like a roster sleeper in a middling receiver room.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Taylor doesn’t play up to his tested speed and instead relies on his physicality to win at the catch point.
It is notoriously hard to win at the NFL like this.
I don’t see enough traits for him to make an impact at the NFL level unless he can carve out a role on special teams. Even if he does that, his impact on an NFL offense will be minimal at best. I just don’t see it with Taylor.
Steelers UDFA #7: Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
I like the player more than I like his actual odds of sticking with the team. I think Ben Sauls was a draftable talent at kicker, as he was productive in a tough stadium and has both the accuracy and power to make any kick needed of him. Frankly, I think he could be a starter in this league.
The issue lies with what the Steelers already have. Chris Boswell is coming off a career-best season, and one could argue that he was the top kicker in the NFL last season. It would be shocking to see him cut, and it seems more likely that he gets a pay raise than be cut for an undrafted rookie.
If this list was only factoring in talent and starting ability, Sauls would be close to the top of the list. That said, he enters a tough situation, but he should be able to show himself off to other teams with the hopes of landing a job later this summer.
Steelers UDFA #6: Ben Mangelson, DL, BYU
A last-minute addition to the room (and thus to this list), you have to love the athleticism that Ben Mangelson brings to the table. He boasts a lot of traits that you ideally want to build off of, and it makes him intriguing.
Unfortunately, those traits never materialized on tape. He was a consistent face on BYU’s defensive line the past few seasons, but he never had amazing production. His traits never showed up on tape.
He also has a weird body type. He was always listed on the lighter side in school, and even his Pro-Day weight of 279 is small. His frame may be maxed, which gives him a weird fit on this defense. Add in the extremely deep defensive line room, and I don’t see a lot of potential here.
Steelers UDFA #5: Aiden Williams, IOL, Minnesota/Duluth
This is probably the toughest undrafted free agent to project. He was a dominant force against low-level competition and has the size and athleticism you want in a guard. On paper, he looks like a good fit.
The issue is you haven’t seen him play much against actual quality competition, and the Steelers interior offensive line has some decent depth to it. Unless he really shines in camp, it is hard to imagine him unseating Spencer Anderson as the reserve guard.
Williams’s hope should be in showing enough traits to warrant a practice squad spot. There, he can continue to refine his craft and, potentially, compete for a roster spot next year. There is something to work with there, but he has a lot to prove.
Steelers UDFA #4: Ke’Shawn Williams, WR, Indiana
Undersized and not overly athletic, one has to wonder why Ke’Shawn Williams ranked so much higher than Taylor, the other receiver of this group. The argument is simple to me: Williams has traits to win at the NFL level while Taylor doesn’t.
That isn’t to say Williams is an elite player. His ceiling is an Eli Rodgers-like role on offense as a possession slot receiver. Where he can add more value, though, is on returns. He can serve as both the kick and punt returner for a team, and that is something this team needs.
That said, given the amount of slot receiver options on the Steelers roster, it is hard to get excited about Williams. That said, if he can prove to be a fine weapon when needed and a stable returner, he could make some noise during training camp.
Steelers UDFA #3: DJ Thomas-Jones, FB, South Alabama
We have officially gotten to the names that could stick on the roster for the Steelers. I go back and forth with where to put DJ Thomas-Jones, as his path to the roster is clear, but I’m skeptical of his game overall.
He does a lot of things at an ok level, but he lacks a defining trait. He will try and throw blocks but he is hit or miss in that facet. His receiving is fine, but he is undersized as a tight end. Fullback is an empty position though, so he could have a clear shot to the roster.
The Steelers gave him the biggest signing bonus of a non-quarterback in team history, so that speaks for something. Given the fullback room is barren, he can easily sneak onto the roster if he provides value there.
Steelers UDFA #2: JJ Galbreath, TE, South Dakota State
Of the two tight end types that the Steelers brought in, I have a slight preference to JJ Galbreath. The small school standout was productive in college, and while he lacks the size you want in a tight end, he provides a different body type in the room.
Galbreath was a potent receiver who did a lot of damage to opposing defenses. He was a deceptive athlete as well, and he can create when given space. While not a strength, he is a willing blocker who will throw himself at defenders in the run game.
The tight end room is an open competition past the top two names. Assuming they keep four again, with the hybrid fullback also factoring into that group, there is a spot for Galbreath to compete for. He could seize that opportunity.
Steelers UDFA #1: Sebastian Castro, DB, Iowa
Sebastian Castro is a really fun and physical player to watch. A safety and big slot player at Iowa, he had draftable tape. However, after he tested poorly at the combine and had a smaller size than what he was listed at, it dropped his stock. That said, this is the one UDFA signing that jumped off the list.
Castro is an instinctive player who plays the run well and has some plus coverage traits. His best fit at the next level is as a run-down slot defender or a safety, even if he lacks the size you want to play in the box.
With the safety room open for a potential fifth member, Castro could make the roster outright. He also has special-teams potential, so he could be the long-term replacement for Miles Killibrew. He was a great addition post-draft.