The Steelers will be keeping their rookie class extremely small in 2023. After drafting seven college prospects this weekend, Pittsburgh will only be adding seven more undrafted rookies:
- WR/RS Jordan Byrd, San Diego State
- C Trevor Downing, Iowa State
- QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
- DE James Nyamwaya, Merrimack
- LB David Perales, Fresno State
- FB Monte Pottebaum, Iowa
- K B.T. Potter, Clemson
We covered the addition of Morgan after his signing last night. With only two quarterbacks (Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky) currently on the roster, Morgan should have a legitimate chance to earn a roster sport. At the very least, barring the signing of another passer, Morgan should at the very least be a shoo-in for a practice squad spot.
Pittsburgh listed Byrd as a wide receiver despite his status on the Aztecs as a running back. While Byrd contributed as a rotation back, his true impact came on special teams. He earned All-Mountain West first-team honors thanks to 571 kick return yards, 118 punt return yards, and touchdowns on each type of return in 2022. It was his second straight year on the All-Conference first-team as a kick returner. The team’s main returner from last year, Steven Sims, signed with the Texans, so Byrd will compete with Gunner Olszewski for returning duties in 2023.
The Steelers recently signed kicker Chris Boswell to an extension, so bringing in Potter likely is not a threat to Boswell’s job. Boswell did miss some time with a groin injury last year, forcing Pittsburgh to scramble. This wasn’t the first time Boswell missed games, so Potter may be destined to sit on the practice squad in case of emergency.
There is nothing that says they are done signing. They still have a roster to fill out for camp
hard to find a group on the roster that could even use depth at this point.
if anything, I’ll be looking for notable guys like Weatherspoon and Anothony Miller/Gunnar to potentially get cut due to the insane amount of depth at CB and WR
although nothing with Khan would surprise me at this point, and a name to still watch for is Chris Wormley who is currently recovering from injury
There is nothing that says they are done. They still have a roster to fill out before camp.
Ironically, this statement says they are done signing. J/k, hope all is well.
It was my understanding that everyone had heard…link to youtube.com
LB beyond the starters is still a big question. Loved every pick in the draft, but even with Herbig’s upside, a lot of unproven entities across the middle of the defense for this year. The team is immensely improved from last year in my opinion, but still a fringe playoff team unless the prove they can beat the top teams late in the year
I think we’ll see a run-heavy offense with the transformed o-line.
not gonna make any season predictions until we see them play a game, but looking promising at every position group.
ILB has Mark Robinson who showed upside as a stout run stopper and Tanner Muse who’s basically another Spillane. agreed that barring Robinsons development , it’s one of the weaker groups depth-wise.
the o-line boasts 2021 starters Moore Jr, Dotson & Kendrick Green alongside new additions Herbig and LeRaven Clark as an (impressive?) B-team.
*Green prob won’t make team, but nice example of how far the O-line has come
I think my only negative is that they didn’t draft their standard under the radar wide receiver in the middle rounds, a guy who’s destined to become a star
But it’s clear they had a plan and the free agency signings and trade for Robinson provided a roadmap for drafting, in reality
They even signed a punter to compete with Harvin
And now, the focus—the bulls eye—goes to the offensive coordinator and with him, Kenny Pickett
It sure is going to be interesting