After the Pittsburgh Steelers selected seven players in the 2024 NFL draft, they continued adding to the roster by coming to terms with five undrafted free agents. With many draft profiles focusing on those players towards the top and middle of the NFL draft, it is time to get to take a look at these other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers who will have just as much opportunity to make the roster in 2024 as those who were selected in the draft, despite the more difficult path.

Remember, some draft profiles for these players are quite harsh as they are looking at them as a draftable prospect. Taking a flyer on an UDFA is a completely different story as many times the potential the player shows is what lands them on an NFL offseason roster.

Next up is cornerback Beanie Bishop from West Virginia.

Beanie Bishop

Cornerback
Redshirt Senior
West Virginia
5’9″; 182 lbs.

Playing six seasons for three different colleges, Bishop had logged 44 games in four seasons with Western Kentucky and one season in Minnesota before joining the West Virginia Mountaineers. Prior to landing in Morgantown, Bishop had 103 tackles, nine passes defensed, and three interceptions. But in his one season with West Virginia, Bishop had 67 tackles in 13 games and a team-high four interceptions along with 20 passes defensed.

Current Steelers at the position:

Cornerback

• Joey Porter Jr.
• Donte Jackson
• Josiah Scott
• Darius Rush
• Cory Trice Jr.
• Luq Barcoo
• Ryan Watts
• Thomas Graham Jr.
• Kalon Barnes
• Beanie Bishop Jr.

Draft Profile

Here is a breakdown from NFL.com:

Overview

After six years and three college stops, Bishop burst on the scene with major ball production in 2023. He was frequently targeted as an undersized outside corner at West Virginia and gave up his share of catch yardage. Bishop struggles with a lack of speed and length when beaten early in man coverage and allows easy catches in front of him from shuffle technique. When in phase, Bishop’s quick feet and burst to close allow him to attack passing lanes and disrupt the catch. He plays with adequate aggression against the run and is best suited playing from the slot with his eyes forward from short-zone and off-man coverages.

Strengths

• Led the nation last season in passes defensed (24) and grabbed four interceptions.
• Balanced eyes sift through route combos and quarterbacks’ intentions.
• Twitchy feet with good bounce driving forward on the throw.
• Has the footwork and GPS to undercut routes into passing lanes.
• Willing and aggressive when it comes time to tackle.

Weaknesses

• Inconsistent finding proper positioning to defend end-zone throws.
• Gets too flat-footed at the break/stem in catch-man technique.
• Allows too much cushion for easy throw-and-catch completions.
• Receivers find quick vertical separation when he loses from press.
• Will need to prove he can man up against NFL slot receivers. 

Film

To finish things off, let’s take a look at the film…

(WARNING: HIGHLIGHTS CONTAIN EXPLICIT LYRICS)