Information of Pittsburgh Steelers tight finish Donald Parham’s damage drummed up extra commerce discuss for Miami Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith and the Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts. However internally, it was Steelers’ rookie JJ Galbreath apparently making performs. After the workforce’s remaining OTA apply wrapped up Thursday, rookie QB Will Howard couldn’t assist however present Galbreath, certainly one of his favourite targets, some love.
“That’s the man, man,” Howard advised reporters by way of the Pittsburgh DSEN YouTube channel. “We’ve been doing a number of work, us rookies collectively and strolling via stuff after each apply. Each rep that we don’t get, ensuring we bang these out. And like I mentioned, psychological reps. I imply, shoot, JJs been getting open for me.”
The query to proceed the reply joked if “No. 87” – Galbreath’s jersey quantity – was “supplying you with cash,” the implication being Howard was peppering him with targets throughout apply. We don’t have private eyes or knowledge on how typically Howard-to-Galbreath occurred, that should wait till coaching camp, nevertheless it’s a notable takeaway. Spring practices are helpful for everybody however particularly rookies like these two. Getting in additional work is proactive, as our Matthew Marczi just lately wrote about.
Galbreath makes up certainly one of Pittsburgh’s strongest undrafted free agent courses in years. Pre-draft, he flew beneath the radar, partially attributable to struggling a shoulder that value him a month of the season mid-way via the yr. Steelers Depot was presumably the one outlet to even write a pre-draft scouting report on him, giving him a draftable grade and glowing remarks for his athleticism and ball-tracking potential. Not even revered and complete retailers like Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” and Emory Hunt’s draft information had stories on Galbreath.
Although he performed at a small faculty, Galbreath put up eye-catching numbers. Over his remaining two seasons, he caught a mixed 68 receptions for 1,048 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was named All-FCS First-Workforce as as senior regardless of the damage. And he examined nicely at his Professional Day, working a 4.68-40 yard sprint, 38-inch vertical, and gaudy 6.82 three-cone time. Pittsburgh, nevertheless, had him on their radar and despatched Professional Scouting Director Sheldon White to his exercise.
There’s flaws in his recreation like every undrafted participant, his measurement is below-average at 6033, 231 kilos, and he wants refinement as a blocker.
However there’s a path for Galbreath to stay. Perhaps not on the 53-man roster however the workforce’s apply squad. It’d imply his rookie yr is spent behind the scenes serving to out the scout workforce. However it might additionally imply extra reps with Howard and the possibility to additional what seems to be a budding connection.
