Steelers add much needed depth at tight end after signing Kevin Rader to their offseason roster

When it comes to positions of need for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is safe to say tight end is one of those positions. Heading into the offseason, the Steelers’ depth chart at the position, with experience, reads as follows:

Vance McDonald
Jesse James
Xavier Grimble

That’s it.

With Jesse James set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent when the new league year begins, the Steelers needed to add some bodies to the tight end mix.

They have already started with the addition of Kevin Rader to their 90-man offseason roster.

Kader is a local product from Pine-Richland, and played his college football at Youngstown State. All of this before spending the preseason with the Green Bay Packers last year before being released.

Rader stands 6-feet 4-inches and 250 pounds, and if you are wondering about his athleticism, here are some of his stats from his Youngstown State Pro Day last year:

40-yard dash: 4.92
225-pound bench: 17
3-cone drill: 7.07
Broad Jump: 9’ 4”

The fact remains Rader didn’t land with any team last year after spending camp with the Packers. Does than mean he won’t have a shot at making the Steelers’ roster in some way, shape or form? Not necessarily, but it will certainly be an uphill climb for the former Youngstown State Penguin.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they continue to meander their way through the offseason.