ClutchPoints
It’s difficult to navigate the draft with so many moving parts, and the Pittsburgh Steelers made their share of mistakes. But they were intentional in not going after Shedeur Sanders. Moving forward, here is one Steelers undrafted free agent who will make the 2025 roster.
A lot of NFL observers like safety Sebastian Castro as the guy who fits this mold. But we’re going with undersized wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams out of Indiana.
He’s 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, but brings a lot of effort to the table.
Williams received a decent 5.81 grade from nfl.com, which brings him into the roster conversation.
“Box-score scouting doesn’t give enough insight into what Williams can bring to the table,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “He has a limited catch radius, but his toughness and hand strength help make up for it.
“(Williams) can run short and intermediate routes as a possession slot receiver but te
nds to shine when he’s allowed catch-and-run opportunities, where he’s proven very difficult to bring down. Williams is highly competitive and offers kick and punt return potential to enrich his chances of making a roster.”
The competitive nature and kick return potential will give him a leg up on others fighting for a chance to make the team in the fall.
Williams played roles on good football teams, including the 2021 squad at Wake Forest (11-3 overall). Also, he helped Indiana put together one of its best-ever seasons last year. He totaled 448 yards receiving with five touchdowns.
A lot of this answer depends on what they do with George Pickens. If they hold onto him and don’t trade him, the pecking order is solid with D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Austin III leading the way.
Of course, the quarterback situation is extremely murky. This could devalue the entire wide receiver room. Imagine the Steelers going the whole season with Mason Rudolph at quarterback.
The Steelers drafted Will Howard, but there are question marks about whether he could be NFL ready in 2025. Howard does have skills, according to nytimes.com.
“A well-built athlete, Howard sets up quickly and throws well enough to all levels, doing some of his best work on designed rollouts and waggles to move his launch point,” Dane Brugler wrote. “His aggressiveness as a passer will bite him at times, especially when he locks onto his preferred read — his ability to quickly get deeper into progressions will be crucial at the next level.
“Overall, Howard has a couple plays on each tape that make evaluators question if his decision-making and placement are consistent enough for him to be an NFL starter. But he has the physical requirements, intelligence, and mental resiliency to stick as a backup and potential spot-starter.”
That doesn’t sound like a guy who is ready to step in and roll with the punches. But things could work in Williams’ favor if the Steelers don’t add Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins....
