Though it comes with less pomp and circumstance of a first-round pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers updated their roster with jersey numbers for the latest batch of free agents. We already knew WR Allen Robinson would wear #11 and now we know the rest of the team’s recent additions.
New names and numbers include punter Braden Mann wearing #4, SS Keanu Neal grabbing #31, LB Tanner Muse with #44, OT Le’Raven Clark picking #67, DL Armon Watts with #68, and Breiden Fehoko sporting #96, the same number who wore in his three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. The other above names, like Isaac Seumalo and Cole Holcomb, already had their jersey numbers known earlier in the offseason.
Muse picking up #44 might be the most notable considering that was FB Derek Watt’s jersey in his three years with the Steelers. Though the writing already felt on the wall, Watt seems almost certain to have played his last down for Pittsburgh.
It’s been an unusually busy offseason under GM Omar Khan, entering his first full offseason with the team. Pittsburgh has proved to be consistently active in all aspects of the offseason with high and low-level signings, trades, and waiver claims.
Mann will push Pressley Harvin III for the starting punter job this summer. Neal is a box-strong safety to help replace Terrell Edmunds, Muse will be a core special teamer, Clark a potential swing tackle, while Watts and Fehoko will battle for the final defensive line spots. Watt seems to currently have a better chance than Fehoko to make the team but both will be given an opportunity.
There will be a slew of new jersey numbers to talk about within a week when the Steelers make their seven draft picks. The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night and runs through Saturday. In addition to their picks, Pittsburgh will have room to sign roughly 15 undrafted free agents.
