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After the Pittsburgh Steelers selected nine players in the 2021 NFL draft, they continued to adding to the roster with eight undrafted free agents. With many draft profiles focusing on those players towards the top and middle of the NFL draft, it is time to get to take a look at these other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers who will have just as much opportunity to make the roster in 2021 as those who were selected in the draft, despite the more difficult path.
Remember, some draft profiles for these players are quite harsh as they are looking at them as a draftable prospect. Taking a flyer on an UDFA is a completely different story as many times the potential the player shows is what lands them on an NFL offseason roster.
Courtesy of the Steelers PR Department
Steelers PR Department
Undrafted out of LSU in 2019, John Battle caught on with the Steelers practice squad early in the 2020 season. Battle was signed to a Reserve/Future contract in January.
Trevor Williams went undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft out of Penn State, but was signed by the Chargers shortly after. Playing in Los Angeles for three seasons, Williams appeared in 37 games with 27 starts from 2016 to 2018. After brief stints in Arizona and Philadelphia in 2019 and 2020, Williams landed on the Steelers practice squad at the end of the 2020 season. While Williams’ NFL experience gave him a leg up on some of the other young players fighting for a roster spot, it appears the Steelers decided to move on from Williams before he had a chance to take the field in 2021.
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There are few things in life that you can count on like the knowledge that the Steelers will select a wide receiver in every draft class. Not only do they always pick one, but they are extraordinarily successful doing so. The assembly line of talent keeps moving as the Steelers excel in identifying undiscovered talent and uniting them with their future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Going into the 2021 NFL Draft I fully expected the yearly occurrence to continue, even though the Steelers currently have their deepest and most talented receiving core in years, going five deep. Plenty of pundits felt the same way as yours truly. The Steelers would adhere to their annual tradition and select another talented young pass catcher, especially with JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington becoming free agents after the 2021 season.
Donovan Stiner, S, Florida
Jamar Watson, LB, Kentucky
Brown and Wade were linked to the Steelers throughout the draft process as potential late-round picks, but Pittsburgh was able to add them post-draft instead.
In 2020, Brown had five interceptions in seven games. He s assumed to be a slot corner but will likely use his versatility to become more of a Swiss army knife in the NFL.
Wade is a Pennsylvania native from just outside of Pittsburgh. A dynamic player, the former Nittany Lion adds defensive and special teams help to the team, improving his resume with five kick returns for 192 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown in 2020.