The Pittsburgh Steelers' tight end room is known to be one of the best in the league. With Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith expected to command most of the attention and targets, the position is already a major strength. Darnell Washington has also shown steady improvement as a pass catcher, adding another layer of talent to the group. Those three form a solid core, but there’s a new name emerging in camp who’s starting to catch the eyes of Steelers insiders.
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end JJ Galbreath is pictured during his college career at the University of South Dakota, where he developed into a reliable pass-catching threat and showcased the size and athleticism that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Undrafted free agent tight end JJ Galbreath, a 6'4" prospect out of South Dakota, has been making the most of his opportunities. He’s quickly developed a strong connection with backup quarterback Will Howard and has become one of Howard’s favorite targets during the early stages of training camp. Galbreath’s size, hands, and route-running have stood out in a tight end room already packed with proven talent.
Steelers insider Mike DeFabo recently appeared on The Pomp and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan to share what he’s seen from Galbreath so far. According to DeFabo, the rookie tight end has made several eye-catching plays during team drills and is doing all the right things to earn a longer look. While making the 53-man roster might be a tall order, Galbreath has put himself in the conversation and could be a strong candidate for the practice squad if he continues to perform.
"I'll go with JJ Galbreath," DeFabo said. "JJ Galbreath is Will Howard's favorite target early on. I know Connor Heyward has special teams value. He's a guy who's been on the team for a couple of years, but if there is going to be someone who challenges him for that position, I think JJ Galbreath could be that guy."
The Steelers have one of the deepest tight end rooms in the NFL, and with that level of talent comes difficult roster decisions. As training camp unfolds, Connor Heyward may find himself on the roster bubble if Galbreath continues to impress. Heyward currently sits as the fourth tight end on the depth chart, with Galbreath just behind him at fifth.
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end JJ Galbreath looks on during a training camp session in Latrobe, staying focused as he competes for a roster spot and continues to make a strong impression as an undrafted rookie.
However, DeFabo believes there’s an outside chance Galbreath could seriously push to leapfrog Heyward and claim that final tight end spot.
Galbreath’s rise has become even more significant following the unfortunate injury to another promising undrafted tight end, DJ Thomas-Jones. Thomas-Jones had been putting together a strong camp and drawing praise for his athleticism and potential, but he suffered what appears to be a season-ending injury. While this is a devastating setback for Thomas-Jones, it opens the door for Galbreath to take full advantage of the opportunity and continue building momentum toward a possible roster spot.
Steelers' Tight End Room Forcing Interesting Battle To Heat Up
With Freiermuth, Smith, and Washington all expected to be key contributors, there’s likely only room for one more tight end on the 53-man roster. Heyward has versatility and experience on his side, particularly as a special teams contributor and H-back-style player. However, if Galbreath keeps developing as a pass-catching threat and maintains his chemistry with Howard, the Steelers may have a tough decision to make.
Danny Karnik / AP Photo
Steelers' Cameron and Connor Heyward share an emotional moment during a regular season game in Atlanta.
The battle for the final tight end slot is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing storylines in Latrobe. The Steelers' tight end room is so deep and talented that it's sparked a compelling competition for one of the last roster spots. While Heyward has the edge in experience, Galbreath is starting to turn heads with his strong camp performance. It will be interesting to watch how this talented group ultimately takes shape as the preseason progresses.
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