Earlier today, we passed along the jersey numbers among the Pittsburgh Steelers’ drafted rookie class. The notable numbers are OT Broderick Jones wearing #77, CB Joey Porter Jr. sporting Ike Taylor’s #24, NT Keanu Benton wearing a sharp-looking #95, TE Darnell Washington being denied of his #0 and settling for #80 instead.
Now we know the rest of the roster. According to Steelers.com, the team has updated the jersey numbers for the team’s undrafted class. A smaller group, just seven, as it seems like the team is holding a handful of open roster spots for XFL players once they’re eligible to sign contracts May 15th. But for the UDFAs, here are their spring/summer numbers.
QB Tanner Morgan – #2
K B.T. Potter – #3
WR/RET Jordan Byrd – #16
FB Monte Pottebaum – #40
EDGE David Perales – #40
iOL Trevor Downing – #60
DL James Nyamwaya – #66
Though full data isn’t known, it doesn’t appear Pittsburgh has changed its UDFA model under GM Omar Khan, still choosing to hand out small signing bonuses instead of larger partial base salary guarantees to entice top undrafted free agents. Which comes with a less notable class. For example, it appears Morgan received a $25,000 signing bonus, large by the Steelers’ standards, while Pottebaum got $10,000. The others are currently unknown.
Perales might be the player with the best shot to make it, a highly productive pass rusher at Fresno State who battled an ankle injury late in the year and throughout the pre-draft process. The injury combined with a lack of ideal size caused him to fall out of the draft.
Morgan was one considered a top quarterback in the Big Ten before his career fell apart his two seasons. He suffered two concussions in 2022 and threw just nine touchdown passes last season. He’s currently the #3 QB on the roster because there’s only three QBs on the roster but it’s doubtful he makes the Week One roster. He is at least keeping his college number.
Potter holds the record with his 69 career games the most ever by a Clemson Tiger. He had strings of ugly moments, including missing three straight kicks versus Tennessee last season, but he was productive overall and has a repeatable stroke with consistent leg speed. He’s not going to push Chris Boswell for the job but will help save Boswell’s leg in the summer.
Byrd is listed as a receiver after mostly playing running back in college. Undersized with 4.5 timed speed, Byrd returned four kicks for touchdowns in college (three kicks, one punt). Pittsburgh has an uncertain starting return man and if Byrd makes the team, it’ll be through that path.
Pottebaum is an old-school fullback and one of the best lead blockers of the class. A former linebacker, he should be able to make an impact on special teams, though making the 53 will be a challenge.
Downing has center and guard experience with average length, 32.5-inch arms. Injuries have been an issue, needing foot surgery in the 2020 season opener while dislocating his kneecap at the NFLPA Bowl this January, rendering him unable to work out during the pre-draft process and causing him to fall out of the draft.
Nyamwaya spent one year at FCS Merrimack after transferring from D-III Curry College. With size and good productivity, he looks like a Steelers defensive linemen and will push for a practice squad spot in the summer.
Of course, these UDFA jersey numbers are tentative and if any of them stick, their numbers could change. As you can tell, Pottebaum and Perales are each wearing #40, something that’s common in training camp. But these are the numbers they should carry into the summer when we get our eyes on them in training camp come late July.
