The Steelers are one of the most prolific teams in the NFL when it comes to giving undrafted rookie free agents (UDFAs) a shot. Last year TE Weslye Saunders made the Steelers opening day roster behind Heath Miller and David Johnson. Some other notable Steelers UDFAs are linebacker James Harrison and guard Ramon Foster.
There is a reason that the Steelers are known for giving UDFAs a shot. They believe that the best player should play wether he is a first round pick or an UDFA out of a Division II school doesn’t matter.
Following OTAs there are already a few UDFAs on the Steelers roster to look out for. Mainly at outside linebacker. The Steelers could use more depth behind James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley. So far Brandon Hicks, Brandon Lindsey and especially Adrian Robinson, our of Temple, have been noticed by coaches and fans. Robinson is already being talked about as a guy who will push for a roster spot. It’s a little early to talk about roster spots, but it wouldn’t surprise me if one of these three players makes the 53-man roster.
Some other players with a chance of making the roster as UDFAs are: Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, DT, Southern Connecticut State, Marquis Maze, WR, Alabama, and Andre Freeman, CB, Slippery Rock (Division II).
Igbinosun, you can call him Ike, has impressed so far and will battle to be a back-up at defensive end. Maze will be in the race to be the Steelers return specialist in 2012. Maze is small, listed at 5’8″, but has the skills to be great. With Maze’s size and coming off an injury he wasn’t targeted by teams in the draft, but he showed his skills with Alabama. Andre Freeman was a standout in Division II at Slippery Rock University. He will compete with seventh round pick Terrence Frederick for a back-up cornerback spot.
All of these guys can’t make the roster, but there will likely be at least one more UDFA on the team in 2012.
