We are nearing the conclusion of this series with part 86 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 (now 80-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 borderline roster player:

Kerrith Whyte Jr.

Position: RB
Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 204 lbs
College: Florida Atlantic
Draft: 7th round 222nd overall in 2019 (Bears)

2019 Stats

6 Games played
24 Rushing attempts
122 Rushing yards
5.1 Yards per carry
1 reception
9 Receiving yards
0 Touchdowns

Contract remaining

Expires in 2021
$675,000 salary cap number (1.5% of total cap)
$0 Dead money
$675,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Doubtful, however he should be a member of someones practice squad. The Steelers just have too many names atop the running back depth chart, and if Whyte proves to be the fourth best option then the Steelers might want to just carry an extra receiver. I think Jaylen Samuels would be the only player that the Steelers would carry four running backs for because of his ability to also slide into the slot and be a depth player as both a runner and receiver. Whyte should get a look at the practice squad but another team may poach him away.

2020 projection

If the Steelers are able to retain Whyte’s services then I would still expect him to get called up for a handful of games. It’s nearly impossible for a running back to make it through an entire season with a perfect bill of health. So, having a guy like Whyte kicking around your practice squad that they are comfortable with giving reps to is an asset. Don’t expect more than what Whyte did a year ago, unless the Steelers decide to deal away some of the running back depth.

Projected stats:

2 Games played
8 Rushing attempts
40 Rushing yards
1 reception

Summary

When the Steelers scooped Kerrith Whyte off of the Bears practice squad a year ago he was able to step into the offense and provide a spark. He was a nice change of pace option for the club, but since they drafted Anthony McFarland Jr. Whyte’s serves may no longer be necessary. It will be an interesting story line to see how the final running back spot shapes up for this team, if it even does at all. I expect Whyte to be in the mix until the very end, either an injury thrusts him onto the team or if he’s sent to the practice squad.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett -Cut
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 -Cut
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 -Cut
Dewayne Hendrix -Cut
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston -Cut
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel -Cut
Christian Kuntz -Cut
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart
Paxton Lynch
Dan McCullers
Vance McDonald
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Henry Mondeaux
Christian Montano -Cut
Alexander Myres
Steven Nelson
Spencer Nigh -Cut
Chuks Okorafor
James Pierre
Maurkice Pouncey
Kevin Rader
Dax Raymond
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Jaylen Samuels
Tuzar Skipper
Wendall Smallwood
Juju Smith-Schuster
Benny Snell Jr.
Robert Spillane
Cameron Sutton
Ryan Switzer
Calvin Taylor
Stephon Tuitt
Alejandro Villanueva
Corliss Waitman
Cavon Walker
James Washington
Derek Watt
T.J. Watt