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Steelers release standout rookie UDFA in the WR room, but there is a chance we haven't seen the last of him in Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

If there was one name that captured the hearts and attention of Steelers fans in Latrobe, it was WR Roc Taylor.

Forming an unbreakable bond with Will Howard before he went down with injury, the hype train for Taylor started to slow ever since Howard has been out.

But now it has come to a halt...

Steelers release WR Roc Taylor

Roc Taylor was one of the more consistent WRs throughout the entire unit during the first few weeks of camp. Between up and down days from Roman Wilson, and the injury to WR Calvin Austin III , Pittsburgh’s most consistent wide receiver not named DK Metcalf, was Roc Taylor in the early goings.

If there ever was a year where a UDFA WR makes the Steelers roster, it’s 2025. There is a virtual unknown beyond CAIII and DK Metcalf, even with Roman Wilson's emergence. The problem is, the excellent displays in practice from Taylor never really carried over to the games, and we know how much Mike Tomin values "in-stadium" ventures.

Two other UDFA WRs really stole the show in Week 1 of the preseason: Max Hurleman and Ke’Shawn Williams.

Max Hurleman had a huge catch up the seam, which he then parlayed into a touchdown catch from Mason Rudolph on the very next play. And yet, that was just an appetizer to what Ke’Shawn Williams would do. He had a stellar return (only negated by a penalty), a nearly 30-yard catch over the middle, and that game-sealing TD grab from above.

So those two are in the lead for who might make the final 53 as an undrafted rookie WR with Taylor now out of the picture. But that doesn't mean it's all over for Roc Taylor. The practice squad will be finalized between now and this time next week, and there's a real chance he makes that cut.

From there, it's about showing his potential if and when his number gets called.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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