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.
Competition in the return game is currently loaded for the Steelers
Returning punts and kicks has become a dying breed around the NFL for the past decade. Kick returners are not seen as valuable as they once were and punt returners normally signal for a routine fair catch. Special teams are still an important part of the game, but it has become less so as the years continue to pass the game by.
Trying to decide the final roster spots on a team normally comes down to who can provide snaps in the special team's department. That is where someone like recently signed undrafted free agent Jordan Byrd could lend his help. He is labeled as a dangerous return man coming out of college with some experience at running back as well. Despite some limited work at the positional group, most should assume that he will have the best chance of making the roster as a returner.
Another uphill battle for this player to make the club, but that is the world that these undrafted free agents must live in until they prove their worth. It is a busy room full of competition to earn the returner slot on this roster. Some other names that Byrd will need to beat this pre-season include Anthony Miller, Calvin Austin III, and Gunner Olszewski.
The pathway to the final roster is clear for this undrafted quarterback
When you looked at this roster heading into the draft, there was a glaring hole at quarterback. The third string was empty, and this club normally likes to bring four arms to training camp to compete for the three openings on the roster. The Steelers were missing two players at the position entering last weekend and they solved some of their issues. They were able to add someone after the seven rounds of the draft expired.
A quarterback was not one of their seven selections in the draft, even though many experts that cover the team thought they would. They did address this issue in undrafted free agency by signing Tanner Morgan out of Minnesota. Not great numbers from Morgan during his time as a Golden Gopher other than his sophomore season that saw him light up the Big Ten. Ever since then, he seemed to regress and not have much production to write home about.
One should hope that Morgan is not the answer at third string quarterback for the Steelers in 2023. He would be an ideal fourth arm to have around camp and potentially store on the practice squad for the upcoming campaign. Signing someone in free agency to become a more dependable third option over Morgan would be the safest bet for Pittsburgh.
A highly productive edge rusher is the best signing by the Steelers
One of the most highly productive players out of the Steelers undrafted free agency class to date is David Perales. This outside linebacker out of Fresno State was able to put up some impressive numbers during his time in the collegiate ranks. He is an edge rusher that has been able to play with his hand in the dirt and standing up to rush the passer.
It will be an uphill battle for Perales to make the final roster, especially with some of the names that will fight for a roster spot. Nick Herbig will be the third edge rusher to make the team behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. This undrafted free agent will have to beat out the likes of Quincey Roche and Emeke Egbule. It seems like that final spot could also be upgraded from outside the organization if neither of those three names stand out.
His pathway to make this final roster is nothing insane when compared to other competition on this club. Some have seen quality abilities in his game that should translate well over to special teams, which should boost his stock to make the team. If he can translate half of his last two years of production from college ball, Perales will be a great depth addition to the Steelers moving forward.