Every once in a while, we see undrafted free agents crack the final roster for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While they don't always go on to have notable NFL careers, there have been some players who have left a lasting impact and were pivotal to the team's success.
The most recent example of this is former undrafted running back, Jaylen Warren. The UDFA out of Oklahoma State in 2022 came in undersized at the NFL Combine (5'8'', 204 lbs) and didn't test as a good athlete. That didn't stop him from climbing the depth chart and cracking the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.
This year, the Steelers don't have any UDFAs who jump off the page, but their skillset and positional niche could allow them to steal a roster spot from other players under contract for Pittsburgh if they have a strong performance at training camp. Here are three Steelers undrafted free agents who could do exactly that.
CB Beanie Bishop
Many local Pittsburgh Steelers fans are familiar with Beanie Bishop, as he finished his college career in their backyard at West Virginia University. Prior to this, Bishop bounced around at Western Kentucky and Minnesota.
Already 24 years old, Bishop was one of the oldest players entering the 2024 draft, and this could have played a factor in why he ultimately went undrafted.
Regardless of why he slipped out of the 2024 draft entirely, Bishop has the skillset the Steelers are looking for in a slot cornerback -- something they currently do not have on the roster. His short-area quickness and physicality could give him an edge to crack the roster, and the lack of competition in the slot certainly doesn't hurt his chances.
Even if the Steelers sign a veteran cornerback to fill this role, they are going to need an insurance policy, and Beanie Bishop will have a chance to lock down one of the final CB spots on the roster with a strong training camp this summer.
LB Jacoby Windmon
After signing Patrick Queen and drafting a polarizing player in Payton Wilson, the Steelers are suddenly deep at the linebacker position. This is especially true if Cole Holcomb can return to form following a devastating season-ending knee injury.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh doesn't have the most durable group of linebackers, and they aren't going to ask some of their injury-prone players to risk further injury on special teams. Because of this, the Steelers seem destined to keep a fifth off-ball linebacker on their roster this year.
Over the past few seasons, former seventh-round pick, Mark Robinson, was the guy this team counted on for special teams duties. Robinson could be in the driver's seat again for this role, but that could shift if Jacoby Windmon has anything to say about it.
At 6'0 1/2'' and 235 pounds with long arms, Windmon has a better frame than Robinson and wouldn't be as limited if forced to play defensive snaps. Windmon hasn't been able to stay healthy over his past two seasons at Michigan State, but he had a very productive 2021 season at UNLV before transferring that included 119 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. In the NFL, however, he is hoping to carve out a role on the Steelers' roster as a core special teams player.
RB Daijun Edwards
From a size perspective, Daijun Edwards is much different from Jaylen Warren coming out of college. But when you test as a 19th-percentile athlete at that size, you're bound to go undrafted. Edwards was the lead running back on a powerhouse Georgia football team this past year, and he raked in over 2,000 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in his career as a Bulldog.
Still, finding NFL work for an undersized running back with 4.70 speed won't come easy. The Steelers are going to give Edwards a shot in training camp.
If Pittsburgh keeps just three running backs, we know those players are going to be Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson. However, if they are open to devoting a fourth spot to the position in Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense, Daijun Edwards will have a chance to crack the Steelers' roster after training camp.