Moving forward with part 66 of our 90ish-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at third year tight end:

Kevin Rader

Position: TE
Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 250 lbs
College: Youngstown
Draft: UDFA in 2018 (Green Bay)

2019 stats

N/A practice squad/free agent

Contract remaining

Expires in 2021
$610,000 salary cap number (0.3% of total cap)
$0 Dead money
$610,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Doubtful. If the Steelers bring all five tight ends who are currently on the roster to camp, I expect that there will be some sort of competition for the third spot. Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald sit far above the rest on the depth chart, but the likes of Rader, Zach Gentry, and Dax Raymond will fight for that last spot on the team. I think Gentry and Raymond have a stronger claim to the position but anything can happen.

2020 projection

I think Rader is going to end up getting cut, either during a 10 player cut down or at the end of camp. I think the Steelers just have more invested into Gentry and Raymond to envision a future with Rader on the final 53.

Projected stats:

N/A- cut/practice squad

Summary

The Steelers tight-end corps might just be the best overall unit the team has had since the days of Heath Miller terrorizing defenses. Unfortunately for Kevin Rader it means it’s going to be increasingly difficult to make this team. Even if he were to ball out during camp there's a chance he won't even make the roster. Rader is going to have to go all out to make this team

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson
Dewayne Hendrix
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel
Christian Kuntz
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart
Paxton Lynch
Dan McCullers
Vance McDonald
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Henry Mondeaux
Christian Montano
Alexander Myres
Steven Nelson
Spencer Nigh
Chuks Okorafor
James Pierre
Maurkice Pouncey