Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
C Anderson Hardy
Experience/age: 1st year, no NFL experience/24
Contract status: $795,000 cap hit if he makes Steelers roster
The past: Hardy developed into a 6-foot-6, 301-pound offensive line prospect during his five years at Appalachian State. He started 29 games at the Division I FCS power, including the final 28 of his career while finding a home at left tackle.
Hardy did not get selected in the 2023 draft and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent. He also switched positions, as the Chiefs moved him into the interior of the line and had him take snaps at center.
Hardy didn’t survive roster cuts in training camp, and he was not added to the Chiefs practice squad. The Steelers gave him a tryout in September but did not add him to the practice squad at the time. It wasn’t until January that the organization offered a reserve/futures contract.
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A 2-time All-Sun Belt tackle on the field, Anderson Hardy was a ???????????????????????????? at #ProDay in every drill and measurement. Go get that ????, Andy!#GoApp #AppStateNFL pic.twitter.com/h4idMsLAsr
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) March 30, 2023
2024 outlook: Hardy continues to be listed as a center on the Steelers roster, and he provides depth behind second-round draft pick Zach Frazier, Nate Herbig and Ryan McCollom. In order to have a shot at making the team, he probably has to show an ability to play multiple positions on the line.
The path to a roster spot is a difficult one for Hardy, who can show his versatility at guard and tackle. The Steelers have other interior linemen in camp such as Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, Tyler Beach and Joey Fisher. Anderson and McCormick are draft picks.
