Steelers sign 17 players to reserve/futures contracts

The Steelers began to construct their offseason roster today, announcing the signings of 17 players to reserve/future contracts. Many of the players listed have been on Pittsburgh’s practice squad this season or previously worked out for the team.

Wide receivers Marquez Callaway, Dez Fitzpatrick, Keilahn Harris, Denzel Mims, and Duece Watts.

Running back Aaron Shampklin and fullback Jack Colletto.

Offensive linemen Tyler Beach, Kellen Diesch, Joey Fisher, Devery Hamilton, Anderson Hardy, and Ryan McCollum.

Defensive linemen Jonathan Marshall and Jacob Slade.

Safety Jalen Elliott and cornerback Luq Barcoo.

There’s a clear emphasis at the wide receiver and offensive line positions, which are important groups to have depth at during the offseason.

Marquez Callaway is the biggest name out of the players on the list, as the former Saints receiver has recorded 83 catches for 1,069 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over his NFL career, appearing in 42 games from 2020-22. The 6’2, 204-pound wideout spent the 2023 season on the Raiders and Saints’ practice squads. Callaway ran a 4.55-second 40-yard-dash entering the draft in 2020, where he went undrafted. With the Saints, he had some reps as a returner, with 14 career punt returns and four career kickoff returns.

Dez Fitzpatrick recorded some special teams snaps with the Steelers during the 2023 season. The 6’2, 208-pound receiver has five career catches for 49 receiving yards and one touchdown at the NFL level. Fitzpatrick played college football at Louisville and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Keilahn Harris was worked out by the Steelers in Week 17 this season. The former Falcons wide receiver stands at 5’10, 180-pounds and played for Oklahoma Baptist in 2022, recording 80 catches for 1,050 yards and seven touchdowns.

Denzel Mims was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad in October. Here’s what we wrote about him then:

Mims was a popular name among Steeler fans when he entered the draft in 2020. The 6’3, 207-pound receiver ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. In his final season at Baylor, Mims recorded 66 catches for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Mims was drafted by the New York Jets with the 59th overall pick, just 10 selections after the Steelers selected Chase Claypool out of Notre Dame. As a rookie, Mims recorded 23 receptions for 357 yards and no touchdowns. He has yet to have a better season, failing to record over 200 receiving yards in both 2021 and 2022. He was traded to the Detroit Lions in July for a conditional 2025 seventh-rounder, but was waived/injured by the team a month later.

Watts was an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft, signing with the Green Bay Packers. In his final collegiate season at Tulane, he recorded 33 catches for 657 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, being primarily known as a deep threat. His career totals at the NCAA level include 85 catches for 1,500 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 17.6 yards per catch over his three years at Tulane. The 6’2, 200-pound receiver ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Watts spent the 2023 preseason with the Packers but was released during final roster cutdowns. As a free agent, he tried out for the Steelers on September 12.