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FINAL
CLE
PIT48
37 -
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PIT
CLE22
24 -
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IND
PIT24
28 -
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PIT
CIN17
27 -
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PIT
BUF15
26 -
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WAS
PIT23
17 -
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BAL
PIT14
19 -
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PIT
JAX27
3 -
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CIN
PIT10
36 -
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PIT
DAL24
19 -
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BAL28
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PIT
TEN27
24 -
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CLE
PIT7
38 -
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PHI
PIT29
38 -
FINAL
HOU
PIT21
28 -
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DEN
PIT21
26 -
FINAL
PIT
NYG26
16
- What Should Pittsburgh Do With The 24th Pick?
- Steelers to Promote Matt Canada as New OC
- Report – Steelers Optimistic that Roethlisberger will Return
- JuJu’s Twitch: “Free Agent! Where Should I GO?”
- Two New Reserve/Future Contracts in the Works
- New Faces, Creative Ideas, And Fresh Blood
- Roethlisberger Ready To Return Under A New OC?
- Secondary Coach Teryl Austin Interviewing With Titans
- WATCH – Steelers LB Bud Dupree Walking after ACL surgery
- Steelers TE Coach Daniels Retires
Do the Steelers Already Have Their TE of the Future?
- Updated: February 11, 2020

By G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be losing both of their top tight ends to free agency this year. Nick Vannett is an unrestricted free agent, while Vance McDonald is in an option year where the Steelers can keep him at his $7.1275M cap hit, or let him go and gain $5.6725M in cap space. If the Steelers choose to let both of these players go, is their next great tight end already on the roster?
Zach Gentry was the only other TE to be carried on the game day roster. As the 3rd TE for the Steelers, he only managed 1 reception for 4 yards in the 4 games he was active. For the rest of the season, he was a game day inactive as a healthy scratch. While being a rookie, Zach was essentially “redshirted” while learning his position. At 6’8” and 265 lbs, he has the size to be a red zone threat, as well as being heavy enough to push defensive ends back in the running game. It is a little disappointing that he didn’t get many snaps (only 49 snaps this season), but hopefully he can grow into his role and become a productive tight end.
Kevin Rader is the local connection from Youngstown State who spent the year on the practice squad. At 6’4” and 250 lbs, he is known more for his run blocking than his pass catching, though he did catch a touchdown in the preseason this past year. With a year under his belt, he should be in prime position to make a run at a roster spot this season.
Christian Scotland-Williamson is a former rugby player who has spent the past 2 seasons on the Steelers’ practice squad. As an international development player, he did not count against the practice squad roster, and they were able to carry an extra player. If there ever was an athletic guy to play tight end, CSW is it. At 6’9”, 274 lbs, he’s the tallest pass catcher on the roster. He was on the cusp last year since reports stated his blocking improved significantly. The Steelers chose to start him in their first preseason game above both Radar and Gentry. Sadly, he was hurt in the first preseason game, and unable to compete for a roster spot. The Steelers chose to leave him on the practice squad for another year. If the Steelers don’t add any new blood to the TE room, CSW is the best bet to be a pass catching tight end who can extend plays down the seam to stretch the defense inside and help the running game.
The NFL Draft is the other option to pick up another tight end. The only problem is the Steelers currently lack a first and third round draft pick. News on the draft eligible tight ends isn’t promising either (since none of them have been given a first round grade), so this class lacks playmakers. Sure a good run blocking tight end can be found, but don’t expect a down field threat out of the Steelers draft picks.
Who do you think will be the Steelers starting tight end next season? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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