The Steelers 2008 rookie free agent haul brought them their rookie of the year and a Super Bowl XLIII starter.
The Steelers 2010 rookie free agent pool brought them the man who will likely begin 2012 as their starting nose tackle. One of the players from Pittsburgh’s2011 rookie free agent class ran for 10 yards and scored a touchdown on his very first NFL carry.
Before the dust of the 2012 NFL draft settled for the Steelers, their coaches and scouts spring into action, as documented recently by Ed Bouchette in the Post-Gazette.
Kevin Colbert has a phenomenal drafting record in the firstround, but his ability to uncover overlooked talent in the rookie free agent pool is also without peer.
Here are the Steelers current undrafted rookie free agents.
Terry Carter, Cornerback, Louisiana Tech, 5-10, 184
Robert Golden, Safety, Arizona , 5-11, 202
Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, Defensive End, Southern Connecticut State
Brandon Lindsey, Linebacker, University of Pittsburgh
Adrian Robinson, Linebacker, Temple , 6-1, 250
Jake Stoller, Defensive End, Yale, 6-3, 284
Drew Butler, Punter, Georgia , 6-1, 204
Connor Dixon , Wide Receiver, Duquesne, 6-5, 222
Ryan Lee, Center/Guard, Furman, 6-3, 308
Marquis Maze, Wide Receiver, Alabama , 5-8, 186
Grant Ressel, Kicker, Missouri , 6-1, 190
Desmond Stapleton, Offensive Tackle, Rutgers , 6-5, 301
Who Will Set Themselves Apart?
Ask why the Steelers were so successful with rookie free agents, Ed Bouchette offered Pittsburgh was a team and a franchise that was accustomed to giving them a fair shot.
Donnie Shell certainly would not argue.
Yours truly will offer no predictions who has a shot to go from unknown to indispensable, other than to remind people that James Harrisonand Willie Parker both arrived with the Steelers in such unheralded fashion.
Thanks for visiting. Click here to check out the rest of Steel Curtain Rising. Or, click here to follow us on Twitter @SteelCurtainRis.
