What Steelers Can Expect From Their 6 Undrafted Free Agent Signings Before 2026 NFL Season

That does not mean all six are serious threats to make the 53-man roster. Undrafted free agents usually have to win on special teams, show position flexibility or fill a very specific camp need. But the Steelers did not randomly add this group. They doubled up at tight end, added competition on defense and brought in a kicker who can keep pressure on the room throughout the summer.

Which Steelers UDFAs have the best chance to fill a roster gap?

Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) catches a 2-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

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Lake McRee, TE, USC

McRee might be the most interesting name in the group because he gives the Steelers a true receiving tight end to evaluate. He finished his college career with 97 catches for 1,154 yards and seven touchdowns, including 30 receptions for 450 yards and four scores in his final season at USC.

His path is pretty clear: prove he can stay healthy, catch the ball consistently and hold up enough as a blocker to justify a depth spot. Pittsburgh drafted Riley Nowakowski as a fullback/H-back type, so McRee’s best case is carving out a role as more of a pass-catching tight end.

Likely outcome: Practice squad candidate with an outside shot at the 53 if he flashes in preseason.

Arizona State Sun Devils tight end Chamon Metayer (7) runs with the ball for a touchdown after making a catch during the second quarter in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.

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Chamon Metayer, TE, Arizona State

Metayer is the bigger-bodied tight end of the two and brings a little more power to the competition. He played 43 college games, started 30 and finished with 94 catches for 971 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Steelers clearly wanted more bodies at tight end after the draft, and Metayer fits as a developmental option who can help in the red zone if his blocking catches up. He also has familiarity with first-round pick Max Iheanachor after the two played together at Arizona State, which doesn’t hurt.

Likely outcome: Strong practice squad bet, with a chance to push for TE3/TE4 if Pittsburgh wants extra size at the position.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12) celebrates a touchdown after an interception Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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Devan Boykin, CB, Indiana

Boykin comes in with real experience. He played all 16 games for Indiana last season, started 10 and produced 59 tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions and a sack.

The Steelers drafted Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette in the third round, so Boykin is not walking into an empty cornerback room. But that also tells you the team wanted to keep adding bodies in the secondary. His best shot is showing he can play nickel, survive outside in camp and contribute on special teams.

Likely outcome: Practice squad or final-cuts bubble player. Special teams will decide whether he hangs around.

Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. (94) reacts to a defensive play against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome.

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Kevin Jobity Jr., DL, Syracuse

Jobity has the kind of size and production that makes sense for a Steelers defensive line flier. He had 83 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks at Syracuse, including five sacks in his senior season.

Pittsburgh also drafted Notre Dame defensive end Gabriel Rubio in the sixth round, so Jobity is part of a bigger effort to add depth up front. His path is probably less about immediate snaps and more about proving he can be a developmental rotational lineman.

Likely outcome: Practice squad candidate with upside. A strong preseason could make him tough to cut.

Missouri Tigers safety Daylan Carnell (13) celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

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Daylan Carnell, LB, Missouri

Carnell is listed as a linebacker, but his college production shows a hybrid defender. He had 174 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions, 29 passes defensed and four forced fumbles at Missouri.

That kind of stat line screams special teams audition. If Carnell can run, hit and cover enough, he could make himself valuable as a depth linebacker/safety type. The Steelers like defenders who can do multiple things, and Carnell’s versatility gives him a real camp storyline.

Likely outcome: Practice squad favorite with a puncher’s chance to make the roster as a special teams player.

Kansas Jayhawks kicker Laith Marjan (99) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.

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Laith Marjan, K, Kansas

Marjan is here to compete, not replace Chris Boswell. He went 14-of-17 on field goals and 40-of-40 on extra points in his lone season at Kansas, while also converting a school-record 14 straight field goals.

For the Steelers, this is about having another leg in camp and possibly identifying a future emergency option. Unless something unexpected happens, Marjan’s road to the 53 is the toughest of the six.

Likely outcome: Camp kicker who could earn another NFL opportunity elsewhere with a strong preseason.

Steelers UDFA class outlook before training camp

The safest bet is that most of this group is competing for practice squad spots, not Week 1 roles. Still, McRee, Metayer, Jobity and Carnell all have traits that could keep them around if they develop quickly.

The two tight ends fill a real need for competition. Jobity gives Pittsburgh another big body on the defensive line. Carnell and Boykin could help on special teams. Marjan gives the team another kicker for camp.

For now, Carnell and Jobity feel like the most likely defensive UDFAs to stick somewhere in the organization, while McRee and Metayer might be battling each other for one developmental tight end spot.

That is usually where undrafted rookies make their money: not by winning a job right away, but by making it impossible for the team to move on before the season starts.