We all seem to know the starters and high draft picks well, but usually the developing and/or backup guys on the roster lanquish in fandom obscurity.  I thought to start a thread for anyone to mention any of these guys they believe may have potential, to shine some light on the individual.  

I will start with Derwin Gray.  Gray is a 6'4 320 pound versatile offensive lineman that was chosen by the Steelers in the 7th round of the 2019 draft.  He was a LOT at the University of Maryland, but the Steelers were developing him at OG.  He was initially on the Steelers practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster last September.  He played in 5 games in a reserve role last season, receiving solid feedback on his limited performance.  To make room for an edge rusher for a game due to existing roster injuries, the Steelers waived him in late December with the plan to sign him back to the roster following the game.  The Jags messed up their plans and picked Derwin up off waivers (article linked below).  Last week, without any publicity, the Jags tendered him a one year minimum exclusive rights free agent contract and it was signed.  

It will be interesting to see if he can push Cann or Bartch for a role.  His versatility to play OT in a pinch is a positive.  Coming into the draft, he was generally viewed by analysts as a big bodied powerful mauler but questioned his movement skills for an NFL OT role (hence the Steelers moving him to guard).          

Link:
https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/1...oster-nfl/

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Ironic the guy the waived him to sign: Cassius Marsh started the season with Jax.

Gray looks like a HUGE body that got some good looks at Guard for the Steelers in a couple games last year.

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“Motivation alone is not enough.  If you have an idiot and you motivate him,now you have a motivated idiot.” Jim Rohn

 

In keeping with the subject of the thread: here’s a guy I’m intrigued by the more I read about him: Jon’Vea Johnson. He apparently was making huge strides in training camp before a shoulder season ended his year. The WR coach Sanjay Lal raves about him and he’s got good pedigree: his old man is former NFL WR Jason Johnson.

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/football/...ea-johnson

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“Motivation alone is not enough.  If you have an idiot and you motivate him,now you have a motivated idiot.” Jim Rohn

 

In keeping with the subject of the thread: here’s a guy I’m intrigued by the more I read about him: Jon’Vea Johnson.  He apparently was making huge strides in training camp before a shoulder season ended his year. The WR coach Sanjay Lal raves about him and he’s got good pedigree: his old man is former NFL WR Jason Johnson.

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/football/...ea-johnson

Film on Jon'vea Johnson...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSEJvApt5SA

...and a another read

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/06...-receiver/

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In keeping with the subject of the thread: here’s a guy I’m intrigued by the more I read about him: Jon’Vea Johnson.  He apparently was making huge strides in training camp before a shoulder season ended his year. The WR coach Sanjay Lal raves about him and he’s got good pedigree: his old man is former NFL WR Jason Johnson.

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/football/...ea-johnson

Film on Jon'vea Johnson...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSEJvApt5SA

...and a another read

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/06...-receiver/

Good read and good video, thanks

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“Motivation alone is not enough.  If you have an idiot and you motivate him,now you have a motivated idiot.” Jim Rohn

 

We all seem to know the starters and high draft picks well, but usually the developing and/or backup guys on the roster lanquish in fandom obscurity.  I thought to start a thread for anyone to mention any of these guys they believe may have potential, to shine some light on the individual.  

I will start with Derwin Gray.  Gray is a 6'4 320 pound versatile offensive lineman that was chosen by the Steelers in the 7th round of the 2019 draft.  He was a LOT at the University of Maryland, but the Steelers were developing him at OG.  He was initially on the Steelers practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster last September.  He played in 5 games in a reserve role last season, receiving solid feedback on his limited performance.  To make room for an edge rusher for a game due to existing roster injuries, the Steelers waived him in late December with the plan to sign him back to the roster following the game.  The Jags messed up their plans and picked Derwin up off waivers (article linked below).  Last week, without any publicity, the Jags tendered him a one year minimum exclusive rights free agent contract and it was signed.  

It will be interesting to see if he can push Cann or Bartch for a role.  His versatility to play OT in a pinch is a positive.  Coming into the draft, he was generally viewed by analysts as a big bodied powerful mauler but questioned his movement skills for an NFL OT role (hence the Steelers moving him to guard).          

Link:
https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/1...oster-nfl/

He a TERP so I hope he sticks. Always good to have another Terp in the league play well.

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