Via the primary few days of coaching camp, the Steelers’ new shiny toys have owned the headlines. Whether or not it’s Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf or Jalen Ramsey, the brand new guys on the block have been the main focus so far, however there have been just a few under-the-radar gems that deserve some shine.
On 93.7 The Fan’s The Pomp and Joe Present, The Athletic’s Steelers beat author Mike DeFabo highlighted a participant who has caught his eye.
“I’ll go together with JJ Galbreath,” DeFabo stated. “JJ Galbreath is Will Howard’s favourite goal early on. I do know Conner Heyward has particular groups worth. He’s a man who’s been on the workforce for a few years, but when there’s going to be somebody who challenges him for that place, I feel JJ Galbrath may very well be that man.”
For these unfamiliar with Galbreath, don’t really feel too unhealthy, he was largely unknown going into the 2025 NFL Draft. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota, the tight finish is an athletic freak. At his Professional Day, he ran a 4.67 40-yard sprint to go together with a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad bounce.
To place that in perspective, amongst NFL Mix performers he would’ve been high three at his place within the 40 and broad bounce and tied for second within the vertical. Not too shabby for a man who went undrafted.
He’s not simply an athletic freak both, he’s been productive all through his faculty profession. As a senior he was a first-team AP FCS All-American, and first-team all-conference performer, regardless of lacking 4 video games because of harm. Within the 10 video games he did go well with up, he was efficient, ending third on the workforce in receptions (32) and receiving yards (469).
As DeFabo stated, he’s already turning heads in camp, catching a landing go from Will Howard within the first Seven Pictures drill of camp. He’s additionally been seen working with Howard and Rodgers on the aspect to proceed to sharpen his expertise and understanding of the Steelers’ offense.
Does that imply that he’s a shoo-in for the workforce’s fourth tight finish spot? Removed from it. As DeFabo briefly famous, Heyward has change into a mainstay on the Steelers’ particular groups items. Slicing him would imply that Galbreath would want to imagine his duties. On high of that, the workforce traded for Jonnu Smith, one other tight finish who makes his probabilities of making the 53-man roster that rather more troublesome.
DJ Thomas-Jones, one other undrafted free agent tight finish signed by the Steelers, did go down with a doubtlessly season-ending harm yesterday, so perhaps that opens the door for Galbreath. Both means, if he retains performing and exhibiting chemistry with Howard, it is going to result in a troublesome choice for the Steelers.
