Really not a lot to get excited about when it comes to the undrafted rookie free agents, well, except for the punter. The Steelers did a solid job during the draft of finding athletic kids that can be developed in the draft and simply looked to round out the roster.
Johnny Maxey, DL, Mars Hill-6042, 293 pounds. Maxey had 25 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’09” and a vertical jump of 27”. I think Maxey plays defensive end for the Steelers even though they list him as a defensive lineman. He has some burst off the football and likes to get into gaps. He shows a little bend around the edge, but keep in mind he was facing really low level collegiate competition. He can get upright, when the ball gets away from him, he doesn’t always show a great motor. He has long arms, will get them up, can create a little pressure, but at that level, you would expect him to dominate, and he just didn’t.
Tyriq McCord, LB, Miami (Fla)-6024, 239 pounds. McCord had 21 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’06”, a vertical jump of 36.5”, a shuttle of 4.46, a cone drill of 6.69, and a forty time of 4.78. McCord is the only offensive or defensive position player that really has a shot at sticking on the roster from all the undrafted guys. He plays a little violent. He is an edge rusher that can turn the corner and really appears to like hitting quarterbacks. He isn’t the most powerful guy and appears a little stiff in his movements, but he likes to hit people. While I don’t think he will be vying for a spot in the defensive rotation, he can run and hit and that makes him a prime candidate for special teams. That might be enough to get him to stick.
Will Monday, P, Duke-6036, 212 pounds. Big punter, long, with a big leg. He averages 43.48 for his career at Duke. He routinely punts 60-70 times a year, kicks Duke out of trouble, and did a better job his senior season of pinning teams inside the 20 (31 of 65 punts). The ball really jumps off his foot and the thud is audible. I think the one punt that most will remember is during the Belk Bowl when he was standing on his own 10, punted it over the head of the returner, it rolled down the sideline and stayed in bounds to be downed at the 3. I think it was 79-yards. He has a big leg and should be a challenge to any punter he goes into camp against. I’m not stating he will win, but he could.
Giorgio Newberry, DL, Florida State-6054, 285 pounds. Newberry had 20 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’06”, a vertical jump of 30”, a shuttle of 4.78, a cone drill of 7.53, and a forty time of 4.94. He performed better at his pro day, but his numbers are still not where you would want them to be for a defensive end. He is a big guy, long, plays high. He has a decent motor, tries hard, but just doesn’t make much of an impact. He isn’t quick off the ball, engages, doesn’t shed that well. He can hold his ground against the run, keeps containment, but outside of that, doesn’t offer much. I don’t see him being a factor.
Christian Powell, RB, Colorado-5112, 229 pounds. Powell had 15 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’08”, a vertical jump of 34.5”, a shuttle of 4.38, a cone drill of 7.21, and a forty time of 4.68. Not exactly sure of the plan with Powell being brought in. He was a part-time player that wasn’t the starter, really wasn’t the key backup either, played more as a fullback or second back and usually blocked. Not a guy that blows open holes. He doesn’t look very athletic, will get what is there, doesn’t really push the pile, and does not appear elite in any way.
David Reeves, TE, Duke-6047, 250 pounds. Reeves had 18 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 10’03”, a vertical jump of 35.5”, a shuttle of 4.57, a cone drill of 7.51, and a forty time of 4.71. I was surprised at his size, thought he would come in taller, looks longer and leaner than his measurements would have you think. He was a moveable piece for Duke, often playing like an H-back and lining up in the backfield. Not exceptionally athletic or elusive and does not offer a ton as a receiver, but he is a willing blocker and does a nice job of catching guys on the move. It is a weak tight end class this year, not sure why they chase one in free agency, much less two.
Jay Rome, TE, Georgia-6043, 248 pounds. Rome had 14 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’07”, a vertical jump of 35”, a shuttle of 4.73, a cone drill of 7.82, and a forty time of 4.92. Finding any decent type of film on Rome is difficult. He only started one game in 2015, two in 2014, and one in 2012. His career high of 11 catches in a season happened in 2012. He was used sparingly and spent a lot of his snaps blocking. He doesn’t look athletic. I’m just not sure why they brought him in.
Quinton Schooley, OL, NC State-6033, 294 pounds. Schooley had 26 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’10”, a vertical jump of 26”, a shuttle of 4.47, a cone drill of 7.82, and a forty time of 5.22. Schooley isn’t a big interior player and doesn’t move all that well. He isn’t a guy you want leading runs as he can have some trouble connecting with targets while moving. Doesn’t really slide to the second level well, more of a phone booth player. Doesn’t have great power at the point and can get walked back by bigger defensive linemen.
Canaan Severin, WR, Virginia-6021, 212 pounds. Severin did not work out prior to the draft due to a hamstring issue. Severin is a big body wide receiver that can be pretty physical at times. He isn’t a great route runner and will round them off sometimes. He does show the ability to sneak into open spots and he competes for the ball in the air. He tracks the ball well, looks to have steady hands, and isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic. Not sure if he has enough overall skills to become an NFL caliber WR, but the kid competes.
Devaunte Sigler, DL, Jacksonville State-6034, 298 pounds. Sigler had 23 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’03”, a vertical jump of 25”, a shuttle of 4.97, a cone drill of 7.90, and a forty time of 5.15. Sigler was once at Auburn, was dismissed for violating team rules, was away for a year, and then went back to Jacksonville State. He played well at JS and looked good at that level, but when he played better teams and faced better talent, he was not as good. He plays too upright, negates any power he has, and can get pushed around in the run game. He will work as a pass rusher and can get some pressure. Appears to have a good feel for the game, but just doesn’t look to be athletic enough, powerful enough, or have a good enough all-around game to translate.
So, outside of McCord and Monday, I really don’t see a glut of talent with the free agents in this group. I would not be surprised if the Steelers did not bring these guys into camp and then start looking at other potential free agents. The coaches and front office must really be pretty settled with the top 50-60 players, because it doesn’t look like they are digging for talent to compete with them.
Johnny Maxey, DL, Mars Hill-6042, 293 pounds. Maxey had 25 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’09” and a vertical jump of 27”. I think Maxey plays defensive end for the Steelers even though they list him as a defensive lineman. He has some burst off the football and likes to get into gaps. He shows a little bend around the edge, but keep in mind he was facing really low level collegiate competition. He can get upright, when the ball gets away from him, he doesn’t always show a great motor. He has long arms, will get them up, can create a little pressure, but at that level, you would expect him to dominate, and he just didn’t.
Tyriq McCord, LB, Miami (Fla)-6024, 239 pounds. McCord had 21 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’06”, a vertical jump of 36.5”, a shuttle of 4.46, a cone drill of 6.69, and a forty time of 4.78. McCord is the only offensive or defensive position player that really has a shot at sticking on the roster from all the undrafted guys. He plays a little violent. He is an edge rusher that can turn the corner and really appears to like hitting quarterbacks. He isn’t the most powerful guy and appears a little stiff in his movements, but he likes to hit people. While I don’t think he will be vying for a spot in the defensive rotation, he can run and hit and that makes him a prime candidate for special teams. That might be enough to get him to stick.
Will Monday, P, Duke-6036, 212 pounds. Big punter, long, with a big leg. He averages 43.48 for his career at Duke. He routinely punts 60-70 times a year, kicks Duke out of trouble, and did a better job his senior season of pinning teams inside the 20 (31 of 65 punts). The ball really jumps off his foot and the thud is audible. I think the one punt that most will remember is during the Belk Bowl when he was standing on his own 10, punted it over the head of the returner, it rolled down the sideline and stayed in bounds to be downed at the 3. I think it was 79-yards. He has a big leg and should be a challenge to any punter he goes into camp against. I’m not stating he will win, but he could.
Giorgio Newberry, DL, Florida State-6054, 285 pounds. Newberry had 20 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’06”, a vertical jump of 30”, a shuttle of 4.78, a cone drill of 7.53, and a forty time of 4.94. He performed better at his pro day, but his numbers are still not where you would want them to be for a defensive end. He is a big guy, long, plays high. He has a decent motor, tries hard, but just doesn’t make much of an impact. He isn’t quick off the ball, engages, doesn’t shed that well. He can hold his ground against the run, keeps containment, but outside of that, doesn’t offer much. I don’t see him being a factor.
Christian Powell, RB, Colorado-5112, 229 pounds. Powell had 15 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’08”, a vertical jump of 34.5”, a shuttle of 4.38, a cone drill of 7.21, and a forty time of 4.68. Not exactly sure of the plan with Powell being brought in. He was a part-time player that wasn’t the starter, really wasn’t the key backup either, played more as a fullback or second back and usually blocked. Not a guy that blows open holes. He doesn’t look very athletic, will get what is there, doesn’t really push the pile, and does not appear elite in any way.
David Reeves, TE, Duke-6047, 250 pounds. Reeves had 18 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 10’03”, a vertical jump of 35.5”, a shuttle of 4.57, a cone drill of 7.51, and a forty time of 4.71. I was surprised at his size, thought he would come in taller, looks longer and leaner than his measurements would have you think. He was a moveable piece for Duke, often playing like an H-back and lining up in the backfield. Not exceptionally athletic or elusive and does not offer a ton as a receiver, but he is a willing blocker and does a nice job of catching guys on the move. It is a weak tight end class this year, not sure why they chase one in free agency, much less two.
Jay Rome, TE, Georgia-6043, 248 pounds. Rome had 14 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 9’07”, a vertical jump of 35”, a shuttle of 4.73, a cone drill of 7.82, and a forty time of 4.92. Finding any decent type of film on Rome is difficult. He only started one game in 2015, two in 2014, and one in 2012. His career high of 11 catches in a season happened in 2012. He was used sparingly and spent a lot of his snaps blocking. He doesn’t look athletic. I’m just not sure why they brought him in.
Quinton Schooley, OL, NC State-6033, 294 pounds. Schooley had 26 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’10”, a vertical jump of 26”, a shuttle of 4.47, a cone drill of 7.82, and a forty time of 5.22. Schooley isn’t a big interior player and doesn’t move all that well. He isn’t a guy you want leading runs as he can have some trouble connecting with targets while moving. Doesn’t really slide to the second level well, more of a phone booth player. Doesn’t have great power at the point and can get walked back by bigger defensive linemen.
Canaan Severin, WR, Virginia-6021, 212 pounds. Severin did not work out prior to the draft due to a hamstring issue. Severin is a big body wide receiver that can be pretty physical at times. He isn’t a great route runner and will round them off sometimes. He does show the ability to sneak into open spots and he competes for the ball in the air. He tracks the ball well, looks to have steady hands, and isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic. Not sure if he has enough overall skills to become an NFL caliber WR, but the kid competes.
Devaunte Sigler, DL, Jacksonville State-6034, 298 pounds. Sigler had 23 reps of 225 with a broad jump of 8’03”, a vertical jump of 25”, a shuttle of 4.97, a cone drill of 7.90, and a forty time of 5.15. Sigler was once at Auburn, was dismissed for violating team rules, was away for a year, and then went back to Jacksonville State. He played well at JS and looked good at that level, but when he played better teams and faced better talent, he was not as good. He plays too upright, negates any power he has, and can get pushed around in the run game. He will work as a pass rusher and can get some pressure. Appears to have a good feel for the game, but just doesn’t look to be athletic enough, powerful enough, or have a good enough all-around game to translate.
So, outside of McCord and Monday, I really don’t see a glut of talent with the free agents in this group. I would not be surprised if the Steelers did not bring these guys into camp and then start looking at other potential free agents. The coaches and front office must really be pretty settled with the top 50-60 players, because it doesn’t look like they are digging for talent to compete with them.
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