While the Pittsburgh Steelers did not land the biggest names among undrafted free agents (UDFAs), they seemed to do better than usual. In some recent years, they have had particularly uninspiring undrafted classes. RB Jaylen Warren is an obvious recent exception, but only if you fall back on results. Few thought much of him when they first signed him.
None of the UDFAs they signed this year will make national headlines. However, several of the Steelers’ signings landed on top lists for their positions. Chad Reuter, for example, listed five of their seven signings in his positional rankings.
Those Steelers who fared the best in the UDFA rankings were K Ben Sauls (fourth), S Sebastian Castro (sixth), and WR Roc Taylor (sixth). Also cracking their lists were TE JJ Galbreath and OL Aiden Williams (22nd).
Sebastian Castro was the only Steelers UDFA to make Dane Brugler’s list of top free agents, though. Of the safety, he wrote, “Castro is an instinctive zone defender with trustworthy football character, but his ordinary speed and explosiveness limit his upside in most schemes. He best fits as a big nickel safety, likely as a backup”.
Like two of the Steelers’ draft picks, the UDFA also comes out of Iowa. He joins RB Kaleb Johnson and DL Yahya Black from this draft class, and DL Logan Lee from the Steelers’ 2024 class. I did mock a safety to the Steelers this draft, as there is a potential opening. They often keep five safeties, and excluding Ryan Watts, currently have four likely roster candidates.
The Steelers have still found some UDFA help in recent years, including CB Beanie Bishop Jr. just last season. In fact, he began his rookie season as a starter, an extreme rarity. Last year, Reuter named Bishop a top UDFA, in fact the top cornerback, and that worked out well.
Reuter only listed two other Steelers UDFAs as top options at their position last year, though, and neither particularly high. He ranked QB John Rhys Plumlee 12th at his position, and RB Daijun Edwards 18th at his.
The highest-ranked Steelers UDFA on Reuter’s list for 2023 was K B.T. Potter, and that was eighth. While he listed others at their positions, they were way down those lists. Then again, he ranked Warren 32nd among running backs, below Mateo Durant, who also signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
You always hope for underdogs to make a name for themselves, but nothing is guaranteed. The Steelers’ UDFA classes have improved a bit in the past few years, though, and this could be a solid group. Landing even one player who makes the roster or a handful of practice squad guys is typically a success. Of this group, relative to position, I would give Castro or Williams the best shot in 2025.
