Steelers Work Out Nine Players on Thursday

The Steelers hosted nine players for workouts on Thursday, in what will likely be a key help to their reserve/future contracts after the season. They hosted quarterbacks Adrian Martinez and Matthew McKay, tackles Tyler Beach, Hunter Thedford and Devery Hamilton, receivers Xavier Malone and Keilahn Harris, running back Derek Parish, and tight end Johnny Lumpkin.

You may recognize Martinez. He played for years with Nebraska before transferring to Kansas State. In the NFL, he spent time with the Detroit Lions this offseason, but was released after training camp. Martinez signed a USFL contract with the Birmingham Stallions just three days ago.

While in college, Martinez racked up impressive numbers. Over his career, he posted 9,331 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, to 30 interceptions while adding an additional 2,847 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns on the ground. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback ran a 4.55 40-yard dash coming out of Kansas State in the 2023 NFL Draft process. Martinez went undrafted, signing with the Lions following the draft.

As for McKay, he comes from a vastly different background. McKay came out of Elon, and went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Dallas Cowboys. Over his time in college, he played for three different colleges, starting out at NC State before transferring to Montana State and finally to Elon. He started five games for the Wolfpack in 2019, going 3-2 while throwing for 910 yards and three touchdowns while adding four more on the ground.

McKay had his best season at Elon, though, posting a 61.1 completion percentage with 2,690 yards and 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Over his entire career, McKay added 873 yards on the ground while rushing for 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound quarterback ran a 4.90 40-yard dash at his pro day in front of NFL scouts. He is currently signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

Beach is a tackle out of Wisconsin. That is a well the Steelers like to go to often. He spent time this training camp with the Houston Texans, playing at tackle and guard. Over his years with Wisconsin, he started 31 games at both spots on the line, becoming an integral part of the Badgers attack up front.

Thedford is a converted tight end to tackle. He has played in the NFL for several teams, including the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns. At 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, Thedford is an athletic player who fits the mold of a guy who can get out in space and be light on his feet.

Hamilton came into the NFL out of Duke in 2021. Over his first two seasons in the NFL, he spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, but did not sign to a team for the 2023 season after being released in training camp. He has played in nine NFL games. The 6-foot-6, 311 pound tackle is athletic and can play multiple spots.

Derek Parish was the seventh round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft, but did not remain with the team long. He made the initial practice squad, but was released on October 16th. Coming out of Houston, Parish was a first-team All-AAC pick in 2021 on the defensive side of the ball, but switched to fullback at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Lumpkin came out of Louisana in the 2023 NFL Draft, but was undrafted. He has stuck around on some practice squads, including with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Lumpkin ran a 4.81 40-yard dash coming out of college, and at 6-foot-5, 264 pounds, is mainly a blocking tight end who can move bodies.

Malone was a rookie this season out of Henderson State University. He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, signing with the Atlanta Falcons, but did not make the final roster. Malone, a 5-foot-9 speedy receiver, is also an adept kick returner, giving him plenty of versatility.

Harris is another small school receiver who went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He landed with the Falcons, too, and has been on their practice squad a few times. Harris played at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he returned punts and kicks and became a three-time All-Conference selection.