Two more players will make an appearance at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp this weekend. Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney reported on May 11 that the Steelers have included former Michigan tight end Joel Honigford and linebacker Joshua Pryor to the team's rookie minicamp roster.
Honigford practiced with the Steelers in October and was also with the Arizona Cardinals but did not play any games.
Pryor appeared in seven games for the Washington Commanders during 2023. Both Honigford and Pryor went undrafted last spring.
Honigford will bring more size to the Steelers tight end group. He measured at 6 feet 5 inches and 260 pounds at his 2023 pro day.
"He's a very large college tight end who primarily works as a blocker," said Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline in 2023. wrote Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline in 2023“Honigford has limitations in speed and is not an offensive threat, but he would be very valuable for a team that needs a blocking tight end in short-yardage or goal-line situations.”
Pryor could offer the Steelers depth along the edge, but he played in multiple positions during his college career, mostly specializing in special teams for the Commanders. He played wrote NFL.com’s Charles Davis
"We’ve seen him line up at 3-technique, 5-technique, and off the edge during his college career, wrote NFL.com’s Charles DavisTo me, he probably fits best as an edge rusher who could potentially move inside on passing downs.
"He did a good job not only of rushing the passer but also playing the run."
Steelers are giving another opportunity to evaluate TE Joel Honigford,
Honigford only caught 1 pass during his college career at Michigan, mainly being used as an additional offensive lineman to help pave the way for the Wolverines' rushing attack.
During his final college season, Michigan finished fifth in rushing yards in the entire country, undefeated in conference play, and secured the Big Ten championship.
Honigford’s college career concluded with a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoffs semifinals.
New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith enjoys utilizing multiple-tight end formations, so it's logical for Pittsburgh to bring in another tight end.
However, the Steelers already have a solid presence at the position. Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward,, Mycole Pruitt, and Rodney Williams are returning from last season, while Mycole Pruitt, and Rodney Williams, are also part of the team’s 90-man roster.
Honigford may need to distinguish himself on special teams and as a tight end to even earn a practice squad position in Pittsburgh.
Steelers add Joshua Pryor to Rookie Minicamp Roster
Pryor did not come from a major college like Honigford did, but he already has NFL experience, and there could be an opportunity in Pittsburgh based on the team’s current roster.
The Steelers lost veteran edge rusher Markus Golden to free agency this offseason, so they could use additional depth behind T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith. and Nick Herbig.
Pittsburgh has promising edge rushers Kyron Johnson, David Perales, Jeremiah Moon, also on the roster. and But none of them have played more than 99 defensive snaps in the NFL. Pryor played
1 defensive snaps and 157 snaps on special teams with the Commanders. He could challenge those three players as well as undrafted rookies Julius Welschof and Jacoby Windmon during the upcoming summer.
The initial requirement for both Honigford and Pryor, however, is to do well enough at rookie minicamp to secure a contract for the summer.
Josh Carney from Steelers Depot stated that the Pittsburgh Steelers included ex-Michigan tight end Joel Honigford and Bowie State linebacker Joshua Pryor in the team’s rookie minicamp roster.
