Steelers Rookie Impressed With Undrafted Tight End

The Pittsburgh Steelers can feel pretty good about their tight end room, with stalwart Pat Freiermuth backed up by the gargantuan Darnell Washington and reliable Connor Heyward.

Even so, the position has been a point of emphasis in the weeks after the draft, thanks to JJ Galbreath.

A Utah product, Galbreath has emerged as a candidate for the bottom of the roster, even with a skill set that is largely limited to the passing offense. He may push for a spot on the 53-man roster, and the early returns have been promising enough to suggest he’ll make the practice squad.

The Steelers’ undrafted tight end is impressing both the coaching staff and a fellow rookie, quarterback Will Howard, at OTAs.

“That’s the guy, man,” Howard said, via Pittsburgh DSEN. “We’ve been doing a lot of work, us rookies together and walking through stuff after every practice. Every rep that we don’t get, making sure we bang those out. And like I said, mental reps. I mean, shoot, JJ’s been getting open for me.”

Getting open is Galbreath’s game. At 6-3, 231, he’s more of an oversized receiver than a prototypical tight end. With a 4.67-second 40-yard dash and some of the best acceleration and agility markers the position had to offer this offseason, Galbreath can make plays from the slot and create explosives across the formation.

​​“I think my speed, athletic ability, like vertical, all that, explosion, will definitely be a big factor in, you know, going up and getting the ball if it’s in the air, you know, those perimeter blocks against maybe some of those quicker feet type guys. So I feel like that’s where I can also potentially, hopefully break away and showcase my talent as well,” Galbreath said, via Steelers Now.

Galbreath’s pass-catching upside is legitimate, even if it’s dampened by his undrafted status and the bodies ahead of him on the depth chart.

He has put his best foot forward thus far. Truly locking a spot, though, likely comes from his growth as a blocker and on special teams. Unsurprisingly, he plans to improve upon those aspects of his game this summer.

“Once I get to the facility and with the program or organization, you know, truly be able to work with the strength staff and nutritionists and all that kind of stuff to put on that good weight,” Galbreath said.

It would be ambitious to expect Galbreath to see the field on Sundays in any meaningful capacity. If he can create a connection with Howard, he may carve out a role for himself in 2026.