Versatile OL Anderson Hardy Needs to Shine at Training Camp to Earn Spot on Practice Squad
When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Anderson Hardy to a reserve/future contract in January, it was solely for depth purposes. The Steelers are likely to roster only nine offensive lineman which leaves a guy like Hardy on the outside, looking in. The Steelers only played seven of their nine dressed offensive lineman in 2023.
Hardy played mainly at tackle during his time at Appalachian State but came into the league and worked at center for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers depth chart has him listed as an offensive tackle but he was projected as a guard coming out of college. If he can do both, that would play to his advantage as the Steelers values versatility with their depth offensive lineman.
As an example to how much the Steelers like their versatile, backup lineman Spencer Anderson spent all 18 weeks on the Steelers active roster due to his ability to play any of the positions along the offensive line. Anderson joined offensive tackle Dylan Cook as the two offensive lineman that were rostered in 2023 but did not receive a single offensive snap.
Looking at their situations, it puts a player like Hardy in a difficult situation in regard to making the Steelers final roster. Couple that with the draft results from the recent NFL Draft where the Steelers took tackle Troy Fautanu and guard Mason McCormick, it really leaves no room for a fringe offensive lineman to crack the 53-man roster.
The only hope that a guy like Hardy has is to outperform Cook or Anderson in training camp and in the preseason but since they have the experience and familiarity that Hardy lacks, they will have the advantage when it comes to decision making.
Regardless, Hardy will have to show that he belongs when camp opens up. If he is able to do that, he may earn a spot on the team’s practice squad, but even those spots are going to be hard to come by. While he can earn a spot, it is likely that Hardy is a top cut candidate.
68 • Anderson Hardy, Tackle, Appalachian State
6-foot-6, 290 pounds, 25 years old, 2nd Season
Acquired: The Steelers signed Anderson Hardy to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 17, 2024.
Last Year:Â After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hardy was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs before being released. The Steelers hosted Hardy for a workout in September but did not opt to sign him.
Hardy worked at center during his time with the Chiefs but projects as a guard-tackle hybrid.
College:Â Coming out of high school in North Carolina, Anderson Hardy committed to Appalachian State to continue his football career. Hardy was placed on a redshirt during his true freshman season. In 2019, Anderson Hardy appeared in six games primarily as a tackle.
As a redshirt sophomore, Hardy appeared in all 12 games and made three starts at left tackle. Hardy blocked on an offensive line that ranked seventh nationally in rushing yards per game with 265 yards per game. The team ran for 500 yards in their bowl game in 2020.
In 2021, Hardy started all 14 games of the season at left tackle for the Mountaineers. Following the season, Hardy earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors following the season. Appalachian State’s offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2021. The Joe Moore Award is awarded to the nation’s top offensive line unit.
Hardy started all 12 games at left tackle for the Mountaineers in 2022. Hardy earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors following his final season in college. According to Pro Football Focus, Hardy had the third-best overall blocking grade and fourth-best run-blocking grade among starting offensive tackles in the Sun Belt and he allowed just two sacks while protecting the blind side of his quarterback.
In total, Hardy appeared in 44 career games and started 29 games for the Mountaineers. He earned all-conference honors twice.
Salary cap and future:Â Anderson Hardy agreed to sign a reserve/future contract meaning he is in Pittsburgh through the end of the 2024 season. If he makes the team’s final roster, Hardy will cost $795,000 against the team’s cap space.
None of Hardy’s money is guaranteed meaning if the Steelers decided to release him, they will not face any dead money penalties.
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