Participant: TE JJ Galbreath
Inventory Worth: Up
Reasoning: Just lately talked about by QB Will Howard, rookie TE JJ Galbreath is drawing some consideration in his bid for a spot on the 53-man roster. Signed as a university free agent, he has an uphill battle, however his work ethic is his ally. He’s placing in additional reps after apply, optimizing his possibilities of making the workforce early and sometimes.
The Steelers have been kicking the tires on some big-name tight ends like Jonnu Smith and even Kyle Pitts. Whereas these are unlikely to end in something, it does present an curiosity within the place. They didn’t re-sign MyCole Pruitt, and so they misplaced Donald Parham Jr. as a consequence of damage. Not less than in idea, that opens up a roster spot for somebody like JJ Galbreath later this 12 months.
Notably, Smith and Pitts are each receiving tight ends, “playmakers”. That higher describes JJ Galbreath than do comparisons to Darnell Washington. If the Steelers don’t land one other playmaking tight finish, that can solely assist the rookie’s possibilities.
Additionally serving to Galbreath’s likelihood is his after-practice periods with Will Howard. The man rookie is main additional reps with guys like Galbreath to make up for the reps they’re not getting in apply. There are solely so many reps to go round, and once you’re a rookie, there are by no means sufficient.
The Steelers have already got three mainstay tight ends in Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward. All three of them have been right here for no less than two years, the one one even remotely susceptible being Heyward. However JJ Galbreath doesn’t even have to take Heyward’s roster spot to make the workforce.
All he actually must do is make some performs and canopy kicks and punts, and he needs to be good. Not less than, it ought to put him within the working for a roster spot. That doesn’t imply Galbreath would play a lot, and even gown, for that matter. However Arthur Smith likes his tight ends, and arguably, he’s the fourth tight finish proper now. Really, it’s not even debatable—they solely have 4 tight ends. So till they add another person, he’s within the driver’s seat.
With the brand new league 12 months underway and the Steelers turning their roster over, it’s as soon as once more time to “take inventory”. It took some time, however we lastly noticed a few of that change the workforce talked about after the season ended. Actually, the transfer to commerce for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, to not point out the accompanying contract.
There may be nonetheless a protracted solution to go earlier than we all know what this Steelers workforce goes to appear like. The mud is settled on each free company and the 2025 NFL Draft. What different strikes would possibly the workforce make, maybe sudden acquisitions or departures? In the event that they traded for one participant, they may definitely commerce for an additional, or commerce one away. This can be a Steelers workforce ravenous for postseason success, however how determined are they for a playoff win in 2025?
