Steelers A to Z: Young career marred by injury, RB Evan Hull believes he still can make it in NFL

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to 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 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

RB EVAN HULL

Experience/age: Has appeared in two NFL regular-season games, 24

Contract status: $960,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2025, after which would be a exclusive rights free agent

The past: Hull amassed 3,268 yards from scrimmage during his college career at Northwestern, including 1,461 during his final season in 2022. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Hull was picked in the fifth round of the 2023 draft by the run-heavy Indianapolis Colts. After a training camp and preseason in which he opened eyes, Hull made the 53-man roster and had “a hat” for the regular-season opener. He had a role in the offense, too, getting two touches – before suffering a significant injury that ended his season. It was not until the following summer that Hull was cleared after recovering from the torn MCL and meniscus tear in a knee.

Hull did not make the active roster to begin 2024 but spent the season on the Colts practice squad. He was elevated for the Oct. 20 game against the Miami Dolphins but played just one snap. After the season ended, Hull signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers in January.

Great to see Evan Hull making plays#Colts#ForTheShoe#Broncos#DENvsIND pic.twitter.com/33dRcB0kpR

— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) August 11, 2024

2025 outlook: Hull was a good college runner but the skill that likely most translates to the NFL is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. There is probably a team out there that could use him in a third-down role (questions about his pass protection notwithstanding).

But is that team the Steelers? They signed veteran third-down specialist Kenneth Gainwell in March and gave their previous third-down back, Jaylen Warren, a significant raise. They also drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round, and he is guaranteed a roster spot. Veteran Cordarrelle Patterson also returns, and veteran Trey Sermon (a former teammate of Hull’s with the Colts) was added to the running backs room in May. Swiss Army Knife Max Hurleman, an undrafted rookie, is listed as a “RB/WR.”

Even if he has a great camp and preseason, there isn’t much room or path for Hull — assuming everyone stays healthy. But Hull has already shown he can earn himself a role on a team and in an offense. If only he hadn’t gotten injured during his first NFL game, who knows where he would be now?