Steelers Sign Intriguing Rookie RB Xazavian Valladay, A 2022 All-PAC 12 Second Team Honoree

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has been transparent on how he likes to run things. Since he took after the 2022 NFL Draft, he's changed some of the ways within the organization. Whether it's through the draft, free agency, or via trade, he's always looking for that next move to make the roster better. Training camp typically features a lot of shuffling within the back-end of the roster, and that's been the case in Pittsburgh (or Latrobe) lately.

On Monday, the Steelers made a few roster moves, including the signing of a cornerback. They hosted a plethora of guys for workouts as well, while cutting ties with a few players that haven't performed in camp thus far. On Tuesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the team has signed a running back in Xazavian Valladay. He was most recently with the Houston Texans, but went unclaimed on the waiver wire due to a guaranteed money clause.

Valladay went undrafted in the recent 2023 NFL Draft, but he's an intriguing prospect. He spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career in the Mountain West Conference with Wyoming. In 40 games there, he had 626 total carries for 3,274 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. After his impressive career there, the Chicago native headed to Arizona State as a graduate transfer.

He continued his upward trajectory in the PAC-12, as he put up 1,192 rushing yards and and 18 total TDs in his lone season with ASU. His 16 rushing touchdowns led the PAC-12 in 2022. Valladay is a receiving threat too, as he had 88 catches for 873 yards in his five-year collegiate career. The duality to his game gives him a chance in Pittsburgh, but he will have a tough hill to climb.

For starters, we are now just over three weeks away from the start of the regular season. That means time is running out, so he will have to make an impression fast. Realistically, a spot on the 53-man roster isn't likely. As a result, landing on the practice squad may be his best-case scenario in Pittsburgh. Recently, it seems as if veteran Anthony McFarland Jr. has locked down the Steelers' third-string running back role.

Do Steelers still need more depth at running back?

The team's updated depth chart only confirmed that, as he was listed as such. Despite his impressive performances in Latrobe and into the first preseason game, team insider Ray Fittipaldo actually thinks the team will only carry two running backs. That means McFarland would be cut, or possibly land on the practice squad, but his prediction is highly unlikely.

McFarland ran for a 14-yard touchdown in that opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which only helped his 53-man roster prospects. Valladay will likely need to prove some sort of ability to be an impactful piece on special teams. While he has plenty o success at the college level, it may come at a cost. He ran the ball 841 times in his five seasons, so he's got a bit of mileage on him.

Valladay turned 25 years old in July, making him the same age as Steelers starter Najee Harris. He's also a year older than Jaylen Warren, who made the roster as an undrafted free agent last year. Warren has quickly become a lethal No. 2 running back in Pittsburgh, and he even provides value on special teams. He played 127 snaps there in 2022, and he's looked even better this summer so far. With all of that, it will be difficult for Valladay to make any kind of noise over the next few weeks.

What are your thoughts on the signing of another running back? Does Valladay have a chance to stick around long? What were your thoughts on him as a prospect coming out of Arizona State? Share your thoughts and opinions on anything Steelers-related in the comment section below, yinz!

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