Getting to know the Steelers 2025 UDFAs: J.J. Galbreath

After the Pittsburgh Steelers selected seven players in the 2025 NFL draft, they continued adding to the roster by coming to terms with seven 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 2025 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.

First up is tight end J.J. Galbreath from South Dakota (FCS).

J.J. Galbreath

Tight End
Senior
South Dakota
6’4″; 240 lbs.

Playing four years at South Dakota, appeared in 45 games where he had 93 receptions for 1355 yard yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2024, Galbreath had 32 receptions in 10 games for 469 yards and four touchdowns.

Current Steelers at the position:

Tight End

• Pat Freiermuth
• Darnell Washington
• Connor Heyward
• Donald Parham
• J.J. Galbreath

Draft Profile

Note: It is difficult to find much information on some FCS players

Here is a breakdown from nfldraftdiamonds.com:

J. J. Galbreath is a solid receiver and run blocker at South Dakota. Senior Hula Bowl scout Mike Bey breaks him down as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Summary:

SR and 2-year full-time starter at TE where he play as an “H” aligning inline, on the wing, in the backfield and in the slot in the zone/gap blocking scheme of SDVE. He possesses marginal height and weight with solid speed and an athletic build. He is a sufficient athlete showing a combination of solid explosiveness and acceleration, average COD, lateral quickness and agility with ordinary balance and sufficient top end play speed. He shows average quickness off the LOS and displays sufficient hip fluidity as he breaks off his stem on in and out breaking routes. He exhibits good FBI as he reads the coverage and finds the soft spot in the zone. He displays solid hands possessing good manual dexterity that allows him to possess a catch radius that enables him to catch the ball with his hands close to an extended from his body. After the catch is made, he shows decent contact balance as he breaks tackles from LB with subpar explosiveness and form tackling ability. He is a solid run blocker as he explodes at the POA and latches on with average UOH in his punch, placement and timing and generates movement at the POA with his good foot drive against LB with average size. He shows above-average physical toughness as he finishes blocks to the ground against LB with ordinary balance. Good mental toughness enables him to elevate his play in the 4th qtr. on game winning drives. Lack of quality grip strength prevents him from maintaining his block against LB with solid play strength and size. Ordinary balance prevents him from keeping his weight over his toes consistently while run blocking causing him to play off-balanced. He is adequate in contested catch situations as he struggles to use his body to box out DB with good size and ball skills.

 Scheme Fit:

H-TE

Power Statement:

Tough, reliable player who is solid as a receiver and as a blocker overall. Solid hands and intelligence enable him to read the coverage and make the catch consistently. Lack of quality grip strength and balance limit him while run blocking but compensates with his great physical toughness.

Film

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

Note: It is difficult to find much information on some FCS players

A report during the 2023 season:

The highlights of the complete game vs. Wisconsin in 2024 (2 rec, 26 yards in 27-13 loss; see 3:25):