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 linebacker Jacoby Windmon from Michigan State.

Jacoby Windmon

Linebacker
Senior
Michigan State
6’2″; 250 lbs.

Playing three years for UNLV followed by two years for Michigan State, Jacoby Windmon appeared in 38 games where he had 233 tackles with 30.5 coming for loss. Windmon had 18.0 sacks, one interception, nine forced fumbles, and six passes defense. His most successful season came in 2021 with UNLV where he had 119 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Current Steelers at the position:

Exactly which linebacker group Windmon fits is unsure at this time. For now, I will place him with the inside linebackers until the Steelers have him play elsewhere.

Inside Linebackers

• Patrick Queen
• Elandon Roberts
• Cole Holcomb
• Payton Wilson
• Mark Robinson
• Tyler Murray
• Jacoby Windmon

Draft Profile

Here is a breakdown from nfldraftbuzz.com:

Jacoby Windmon from John Ehret High School was rated a After high school, Windmon joined UNLV.

In 2019 as a freshman Windmon saw action in 10 games and played a total of 131 snaps for the Rebels. He recorded only 6 tackles, 2 assists, while adding 4 stops. As a pass rusher, he added 3 total pressures, which included 2 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack on the season.

As a sophomore for the Rebels in 2020 Windmon played in 6 games and took part in 401 snaps for the Rebels. He recorded 30 tackles, 5 assists, while adding 20 stops. In coverage Windmon made no pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 86.1. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 12 total pressures, and 6 QB hurries, no QB hits, and 6 sacks during the year.

In 2021 as a junior Windmon played in 12 games and contributed on 795 snaps. He recorded decent 88 tackles, 24 assists while making 50 stops. In coverage Windmon chalked up one pass breakup, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 108.0. As a pass rusher, he produced 14 total pressures, which included 5 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 7 sacks on the year.

After season’s end Windmon transferred to Michigan State where as a senior for the Spartans in 2022 Windmon played 8 games and took part in 455 snaps for the Spartans. He also added 25 tackles, 16 assists, and 21 stops. While in coverage Windmon made no pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 88.5. As a pass rusher, he tallied 17 total pressures, which included 10 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 6 sacks on the season.

In 2023 as a fifth year senior Windmon logged playing time in just 3 games and logged a total of 93 snaps for the Spartans. He also added only 6 tackles, 4 assists, and 3 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 3 total pressures, which included one QB hurry, one QB hit, and one sack on the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS

• Showed initial quickness and good flexibility to dip and bend. Windmon has active hands and suddenness to his movements, demonstrating the ability to counter inside.
• Shows toughness to get under the pads of tackles to bull them, club them upfield to get the inside lane, or fight through blocks for secondary rush when the passer steps up.
• He has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
• He has value as an inside blitzer as well, showing the initial burst to shoot through gaps and disrupt the backfield.
• A chase-and-tackle Will prospect, Windmon is instinctive, reading and reacting quickly and showing the ability to absolutely fly around the field.
• Windmon shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge.

SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES

• He’ll need to be covered up to be effective. He’s not the kind of guy you can line up in the pass rush and have him bend the edge; he’s limited to shooting through gaps.
• He’s often slow to react and locate the ball against the run.
• While Windmon has the take-on skills to be a 4-3 Mike, he’s probably better as a Will so he can maximize his range and speed.

Film

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