Rodney Williams provides X factor to TE position

Published August 17th, 2:56 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Lartrobe, PA – The team bio page for Steelers tight end Rodney Williams has a section labeled ‘Pro Career’ and underneath the header it reads – Has yet to make NFL debut. Williams’ impressive play of late in camp might be pushing the narrative of his NFL debut coming to fruition.

“I try not to pay too much attention to it,” Williams said of stacking positive plays in training camp. “I just try to show up every day and work. I feel the improvement I’ve made. Trying to build on it.”

Primarily playing receiver during his time at Tennessee-Martin, Williams went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. His exceptional size at 6-foot-4 and 236-pounds led to the transformation and eventual outcome of him fine tuning the nuances of playing tight end.

“Yeah, I would say that,” Williams agreed with the analogy of an oversized receiver. “I like to get out in space and run. I will block when called upon. I say I’m more like a hybrid (TE) for sure.

The athletic ability on display isn’t a mirage. It’s legit. Finding a post from 2022 via Kent Lee Platte on Twitter explains his athleticism is duly noted. Williams’ Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ranks relatively high when comparing what Pittsburgh envisions with Williams.

Williams finds himself in a very talented tight end unit in Pittsburgh. Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, rookie Darnell Washington, and depending on how you want to position Connor Heyward leaves Williams, despite a strong camp facing a tough challenge of securing a spot on the 53-man roster.

Stashing him away on the practice squad might be a little harder to do as he continues to get open and utilize his gifts at receiver into the body of work at tight end. NFL teams are in constant motion of improving the roster from top to bottom. A practice squad destination seems likely for this second-year player searching for his first chance to play in a regular season game in the National Football League.

“I just try to go out there on game days and put my best stuff on film and tape,” Williams said. “Wherever it goes it goes. You have to control what you can control.”

Thirty-one NFL and the Steelers are likely aware Williams is rounding into a mismatch against defenders. His ability to stretch the field and maximize the seam route will be his ticket to changing – Has yet to make NFL debut.

“I like it when we race the mike (LB) up the middle,” Williams laughed. “I like that. That’s a touchdown every time.”

A couple preseason games remain and the dreaded Aug. 29 cutdown day for NFL teams to trim their roster to 53. Williams is a very interesting prospect to monitor over the next several weeks. Odds are his NFL debut is nearing.

Will it be in Pittsburgh or another NFL city?

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com