The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lengthy transaction list Monday, adding six players to their 90-man offseason roster while subtracting the requisite six names as well.
While in all likelihood the moves long will be forgotten by the time the Steelers season kicks off — players signed off tryouts rarely make the team, let alone an impact — it’s far from unheard of for a player acquired in May to stick around through September. Just don’t bet on it.
A quick look at the six new players who will be part of organized team activities and (probably) training camp:
QB DEVLIN HODGES
Bio: Hodges was nothing if not productive over four years at Samford. He graduated as the FCS’ all-time leading passer (14,584 yards) and with the Walter Payton Award (the Heisman of mid-major college football).
Steelers outlook: Hodges was not invited to the Senior Bowl or combine, and he wasn’t even signed as an undrafted free agent. Hodges enters the summer as the dreaded “extra arm” and has quite the uphill battle in unseating Josh Dobbs or Mason Rudolph.
? CONGRATULATIONS ?@SamfordFootball Devlin Hodges Wins 2018 STATS FCS Walter Payton Award! pic.twitter.com/nDYwfc9KIV
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 5, 2019
DL GREG GILMORE
Bio: The former LSU nose tackle was signed as a priority undrafted free agent by the Steelers soon after last year’s draft. But he was such an afterthought at training camp he got just 28 snaps over four preseason games.
Steelers outlook: Still, the Steelers apparently thought enough of him that they brought him back for a tryout this season, and he showed enough at rookie camp to spend another summer in Western Pa. The practice squad would seem to be his ceiling.
Here’s the big LSU NT, Greg Gilmore, 6-4, 310, stack and shed. Did a nice job making the tackle. Signed with Steelers as UDFA. ?? pic.twitter.com/zfIpw7jkKC
— Steel Legends (@Steel_Legends) April 29, 2018
OLB TUZAR SKIPPER
Bio: Playing defensive end in college at Toledo, the 6-foot-3, 246-pound Skipper had 8½ sacks as a senior. He was invited to the Kansas City Chiefs rookie camp the week before the Steelers’.
Steelers outlook: Like all teams, the Steelers always are looking for sack production, so why not take a flyer on someone they might think is a late bloomer? Oddly enough, Skipper is one of three (three!) Toledo players on the Steelers’ roster.
TODAY MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE! ALL PRAISE TO THE MOST HIGH! I AM OFFICIALLY A PITTSBURGH STEELER!#BlacknYellow
— The Tuzar Skipper (@TuzarSkipper) May 12, 2019
DL HENRY MONDEAUX
Bio: Mondeaux played for Oregon in the first College Football Playoff title game. He was a three-year starter for the Ducks, the honoree for the team’s defensive lineman of the year award as a junior and on Pro Football Focus’ All-Pac-12 team as a senior. He spent last year’s training camp with the New Orleans Saints.
Steelers outlook: If nothing else, Mondeaux might have the most recognizable hair of anyone at Saint Vincent later this summer. Maybe he opens some eyes with his play; who knows?
Oregon DL Henry Mondeaux squatting 635 lbs ?
(via @CoachCarnes45) pic.twitter.com/6V4F0Iaz9Z
OT DAMIAN PRINCE
Bio: High-pedigree as a former five-star recruit with the requisite size (6-3, 320 pounds), Prince was joined by Derwin Gray as veteran senior starting tackles for Maryland last season. Gray was the Steelers’ seventh-round pick.
Steelers outlook: As fate would have it, now Prince and Gray will be competing, at best, for a practice-squad spot this fall. The Steelers are way too deep at tackle for Prince to make the 53-man roster.
WR JOHNNY HOLTON
Bio: Holton is the only player the Steelers signed Monday who was not a tryout at their rookie camp. Holton was part of the Oakland Raiders each of the past three seasons, catching 11 passes over 31 games in 2016-17 before a brief look at cornerback on the Raiders practice squad last season.
Steelers outlook: Maybe Holton (who will be 28 when the season starts) can be the new Darrius Heyward-Bey, a speedy veteran special-teamer and No. 6 WR.
Johnny Holton 64-yard touchdown on a DIME from Derek Carr! pic.twitter.com/WskgATLI2G
— Only 1 Nation (@Only1Nation_) October 1, 2017
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