Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Though he came to the Pittsburgh Steelers from an unheralded place, joining the team as an undrafted free agent from South Dakota, rookie tight end JJ Galbreath entered the team’s rookie minicamp with confidence in his athleticism and potential.
“I think my speed, athletic ability, like vertical, all that, explosion, um, will definitely be a big factor in, you know, going up and getting the ball if it’s in the air, um, you know, those perimeter blocks against maybe some of those quicker feet type guys, um, so I feel like that’s where I can also potentially, hopefully break away and showcase my talent as well,” Galbreath said.
The 6-foot-4 tight end from South Dakota was an FCS All-American and turned heads during his pro day with impressive testing numbers. He ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-3 broad jump—showcasing the explosive athletic traits that he hopes will translate at the next level.
One of Galbreath’s biggest challenges early on will be his size. Weighing in at just around 230 pounds, he enters the league slightly undersized for a traditional tight end. Still, he’s optimistic about the resources at his disposal in Pittsburgh.
“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.
At South Dakota, Galbreath put together a solid 2024 season despite missing a few games due to injury. He totaled 32 receptions for 469 yards and three touchdowns. While his production wasn’t eye-popping, he showed flashes of reliability as a security blanket—and his athletic ceiling suggests there could be more to unlock.
He’ll face an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster, competing in a deep tight end room that includes Pat Friermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, and newly acquired veteran Donald Parham Jr.
Still, Galbreath’s blend of speed, vertical ability, and confidence make him a name to watch as training camp unfolds.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rookie Tight End Leaning on His Athleticism
