UDFAs: Who will make the team or practice squad?

[iknowftbll]

With training camp right around the corner one of the more interesting (to me) things to watch is how the UDFA class will perform. These guys come in with long odds but sometimes they get into camp and turn some heads. I'm wondering who from the 2017 group will make the team, if not the active roster then the practice squad.

Here’s the complete list of the team’s undrafted free agents:

1. Jamal Carter, Miami safety
2. Tyrique Jarrett, Pitt nose tackle
3. Shakir Soto, Pitt defensive end
4. Josh Banderas, Nebraska linebacker
5. Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado quarterback
6. Deon Hollins, UCLA linebacker
7. Erik Austell‏, Charleston Southern offensive tackle
8. Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech defensive end
9. Orion Stewart, Baylor defensive back
10. Jerrol Garcia-Williams, Hawaii linebacker
11. Marcus Rios, UCLA cornerback
12. Anthony Nash, Duke wide receiver
13. Cameron Hunt, Oregon offensive tackle
14. Dante Barnett, Kansas State safety
15. Dymonte Thomas, Michigan safety
16. Dontrell Nelson, Memphis cornerback
17. Elijah Wilkinson, Massachusetts offensive lineman

I've got my eyes on Tyrique Jarrett from Pitt. If you're not familiar with him, I have a feeling you will be in a few years. I don't know that Jarrett makes the active roster (unless he stands out enough to force the team to not risk losing him when attempting to put him on the practice squad). He is a prototypical nose tackle and at 340 pounds has the beef to be a massively disruptive force in the middle of the line. In reading comments following articles about our defense, a lot of fans seem to believe he may emerge as the long term solution at NT. Personally I think there's something to that, even if he's not a major contributor in 2017.

Which of these players do you believe have a shot?

 

[randymon]

First off I hope both OT's find their way on team.Definitely could use depth there. Don't think any safeties make it. I like Nebraska Lb Banderas and Sloter as my long shots.

 

[CEH]

I like Dante Barnett, Kansas State safety

 

[Draft Crazy]

Jamal Carter due to special teams play.

I like Barnett too.

Thomas has great tools needs a year on the PS.

Anthony Nash has some upside too PS guy.

Orien Stewart has a real shot too.

I like our undrafted S's guys with experience in Carter, Barnett and Stewart.

 

[SteelersPride]

i wish the steelers had that many FA's we were high on,

i guess that can mean a few things

You guys drafted poorly, and have UDFA that look that good because of it

You have tons of holes to fill

the steelers have a deep roster, and drafted good, negating UDFA needs

either way, keep the pitt guy

 

[Draft Crazy]

I don't think anyone ever said we have room for many of these guys. Just off-season fun trying to find a needle in a haystack and which has the best chance.

I don't think you will see many UDFA's make our team this year, but I would think you will see at least 1 or 2.

I know Shakir Soto well, great guy. Don't think he will make it though.

 

[SteelersPride]

I don't think anyone ever said we have room for many of these guys. Just off-season fun trying to find a needle in a haystack and which has the best chance.

I don't think you will see many UDFA's make our team this year, but I would think you will see at least 1 or 2.

I know Shakir Soto well, great guy. Don't think he will make it though.

i was just being sarcastic

 

[Draft Crazy]

 

[cdumler7]

I like Dante Barnett, Kansas State safety

This would be my pick. Chris Harris has already talked that he thinks Barnett will be the guy as he has impressed the veterans in the secondary so far this offseason.

@iknowftbll Jarrett has a decent chance depending a bit on the recovery of the "other Peko" and how much they decide to use Kerr inside or outside. I watched Jarrett in college and honestly was not that impressed. He is about as slow as they come (which he is 340 lbs. so should expect some of that) but I also didn't think he did a very good job anchoring. His first step was to stand up and well that meant he lost the leverage battle. Maybe Kollar has worked with him and things are looking better with him anchoring but I just was not impressed with him as a player.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Barnett is very smart... Good range and tackles well.. he's probably got a step up on the playbook compared to your usual UDFA.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I believe I'm already on record suggesting Sloter could end up being Lynch's backup QB. There is a possibility he could end up on the practice squad too though.

 

[Draft Crazy]

That would be a heck of a climb from undrafted to backup QB behind a very young inexperienced QB. If we go into the season with Lynch and Sloter as #1 and 2 Ill be pretty darn concerned. Need someone with experience if Lynch is the starter... Which would be Siemian barring a trade.

I still love Chad Kelly down the line.

 

[MileHigh64]

I think all of the UDFA's will make the team, as the Broncos experiment with a new "moneyball" approach to building a roster.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Start a new trend... Cheap roster and Super bowl! New formula.