With their 2016 NFL Draft Class complete, the Pittsburgh Steelers filled out the rest of their roster by signing their 2016 undrafted rookie free agent class:
Johnny Maxey, defensive line, 6-5, 283, Mars Hill
Tyriq McCord, linebacker, 6-3, 241, Miami
Will Monday, punter, 6-4, 210, Duke
Giorgio Newberry, defensive line, 6-6, 295, Florida State
Christian Powell, running back, 6-0, 235, Colorado
David Reeves, tight end, 6-5, 255, Duke
Jay Rome, tight end, 6-6, 250, Georgia
Quinton Schooley, offensive line, 6-4, 298, NC State
Canaan Severin, wide receiver, 6-2, 205, Virginia
Devaunte Sigler, defensive line, 6-3, 290, Jacksonville State
Now, will the next Super Bowl record breaker please step up? The Steelers 2016 undrafted rookie free agent class might not amount to anything, but Kevin Colbert has an uncanny knack for finding quality undrafted rookie free agents.
- The two most notable, are James Harrison and Willie Parker, author of two of the longest plays in Super Bowl history.
But the Steelers current roster boasts Ramon Foster, Robert Golden, and Roosevelt Nix who were undrafted rookie free agents, while the Steeler recently said goodbye to the likes of Will Johnson, Steve McLendon and Terence Garvin all of whom joined the Steelers as undrafted rookie free agents.
A Few Surprises in the Steelers 2016 Undrafted Rookie Free Agent Class
The Steelers 2016 undrafted rookie free agent class comes with a few surprises. First, the Steelers did not sign a quarterback. Given that the Steelers want and need an extra arm for rookie mini-camp in addition to training camp, that would seem to signal that the Steelers are looking to sign a veteran backup quarterback.
- Prior to the draft, Kevin Colbert indicated the Steelers would make a roster move on quarterback after the draft.
The Steelers already have Dustin Vaughan on the roster who is seen as more of 4th arm type of quarterback than anything else. That would seem to indicate that if the Steelers want to bring in someone other than Landry Jones to backup Ben Roethlisberger, now would be the time. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert like Brian Hoyer, but he signed a one year deal with the Bears.
So it was no surprise that the Steelers resigned Bruce Gradkowski after the draft.
- The dearth of running backs in the Steelers 2016 undrafted rookie free agent class classifies as another surprise.
By their own admission, the Steelers wanted to draft a running back in the 5th round and where either unable to find a partner and/or unwilling to pay the price. The Steelers currently have Le’Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams and Fitzgerald Toussaint which gives them 2 starter-capable running backs plus another backup. Given that, it is a mild surprise that the Steelers did not bring in more running backs.
Either these players will get a fair shot to impress their coaches and earn and NFL roster spot.
