The Pittsburgh Steelers have finalized their initial crop of undrafted free agent signings. Senior director of communications Burt Lauten announced the signings following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. They are as follows:
-FB DJ Thomas-Jones (South Alabama)
-WR Roc Taylor (Memphis)
-WR Ke’Shawn Williams (Indiana)
-TE JJ Galbreath (South Dakota)
-OG Aiden Williams (Minnesota-Duluth)
-S Sebastian Castro (Iowa)
-K Ben Saults (Pitt)
With a reported $30,000 bonus, Thomas-Jones got the largest guarantee the Steelers have given to a non-quarterback. While he played tight end at South Alabama, the Steelers will convert him to fullback.That makes sense given he doesn’t have the size needed to play tight end in the NFL at 6016 and 256 pounds.
Taylor was productive over the last two seasons at Memphis, hauling in 69 receptions for 1,083 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He followed that up with a 2024 campaign that saw him catch 66 passes for 950 yards and two scores. He measured in at 6017 and 213 pounds at Memphis Pro Day. In Pittsburgh, he’ll reunite with former Memphis teammate Calvin Austin III.
Williams spent 2024 at Indiana after transferring from Wake Forest, where he played four seasons. He had 39 receptions for 448 yards and five touchdowns as the Hoosiers made a run to the College Football Playoff. He projects as a slot receiver in the NFL after measuring in at 5090 and 188 pounds at Indiana’s Pro Day, where he also ran a 4.51 40-yard dash.
Galbreath finished his South Dakota career with 93 receptions for 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6033 and 231 pounds, he’s a little bit undersized, but our scouting report praised his ability as a move tight end and compared him to former Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta. He clocked a 4.67 40-yard dash at South Dakota’s Pro Day.
Williams participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl and has solid size at 6055 and 314 pounds. The converted tight end is an intriguing prospect athletically. Our scouting report gave him a sixth/seventh-round grade and praised his hand usage and room for growth.
Castro had four interceptions over his last two seasons at Iowa, including three in 2023. He played five years for the Hawkeyes, and in 2024, he had 57 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a pass defensed. Our scouting report gave him a fourth-round grade and compared him to Tykee Smith.
Castro is a little bit undersized, measuring in at 5112 and 203 pounds at the Combine, and he ran a below-average 4.59 40-yard dash. He’ll join Iowa teammates Kaleb Johnson and Yahya Black as Steelers rookies. Former Hawkeye Logan Lee, a 2024 sixth-round pick, is also on the roster.
Sauls came in for a pre-draft visit, and the lefty kicker had a lot of success at Pitt. Like Williams, he took part in the East-West Shrine Bowl, and he went a perfect 44-of-44 on extra points last season while hitting 21-of-24 field goals. He was also invited to the NFL Combine. Our scouting report compared him to David Akers, who had a long career with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
It’s a solid group of undrafted free agents, and it’s a crop that, on paper, looks better than a lot of past Pittsburgh UDFA classes. They’ll get their first chance to hit the field when Pittsburgh hosts its rookie minicamp.
