Pittsburgh is coming off one of their best draft classes on paper for the first time in many decades. Those players still have to progress their abilities in the NFL before anyone could even put them in the same tier as the amazing 1974 draft class. There is a long way to go for these seven selections, but they all have the talent to make an immediate difference for the Steelers.
Even though the actual draft picks seem like high value, the undrafted free agency class has left some meat on the bone. Only seven players were signed by the black and gold in this process as of writing this article. That is a lighter number than usual, but that does allow for three more roster spots that could result in other free agent signings soon.
One undrafted free agent could push a known player for their job
One of the undrafted additions was Monte Pottebaum out of Iowa. He grew up as a Steelers fan and he will make his dreams become reality of playing for his childhood team. Pottebaum should have tempered expectations coming into the NFL as he only plays the fullback position and could struggle to make the final roster once the pre-season ends.
Connor Heyward will likely see his role switch to a fullback or hybrid style now that Darnell Washington enters the tight end room. That could cause for Pottebaum to have an uphill battle to make this team unless he can play at a high level on special teams. Do not rule out the idea of both Heyward and Pottebaum making the final roster, but it could come down to either one outplaying each other in the third phase of football.