The Steelers are in the part of the offseason where every roster spot matters, and that makes a recently released rookie worth a hard look. Khalil Dinkins, who had been a name on Pittsburgh’s radar before the draft, is suddenly available after the 49ers let him go.
Dinkins wasn’t viewed as a premium prospect, but he did offer something teams can use. The former Penn State tight end had a modest profile as a receiver and average size, which capped his ceiling. Even so, his role projection was easy to see: a dependable second or third tight end who can block and give a team a steady target underneath.
That’s exactly why Pittsburgh should be interested now. The Steelers were one of the teams that showed real interest in Dinkins during the pre-draft process, and the idea then was simple enough - with a deep tight end class, take one and develop him.
Pittsburgh did add Riley Nowakowski, though he looks more like a hybrid piece than a traditional tight end. His long-term path starts at fullback, with any tight end production being a bonus.
If the Steelers want another conventional tight end, the door is open. Robert Tonyan is the strongest option in the room, but his spot is hardly guaranteed. Dinkins could push for that job, and even if he doesn’t win it outright, he would still look like the best developmental swing among the options Pittsburgh has right now.
He’s not a flashy player, but he does a little bit of everything. That kind of profile usually keeps a player from becoming a featured weapon, yet it can still turn into a reliable backup role.
There was also real demand for him after the draft. I didn’t have a high grade on Dinkins, but I did think he was draftable.
The 49ers showed how much they valued him by guaranteeing $275,000 of his contract, which is a fairly strong number for an undrafted free agent. Now that he’s free of that competition, Pittsburgh has a cleaner path to bring him in.
The local angle matters, too. Dinkins is a local player, and the chance to stay close to home could help make the fit even more appealing.
This wouldn’t be a move that changes the Steelers’ season. But it could give them a useful developmental piece for the active roster or the practice squad. The connection is there, and Pittsburgh would be smart to explore it.
In Other News...
National QB Ranking Puts WVU's Mike Hawkins Jr. Under Immediate Spotlight
Mike Hawkins Jr. is already drawing national attention before he has taken a meaningful snap for West Virginia, with Sports Illustrateds Zach Koons slotting the Oklahoma transfer near the middle of the Power Four quarterback field ahead of the 2026 season. For a Mountaineers offense looking to reset around a new face under center, the ranking is a reminder that Hawkins arrives with both intrigue and questions after a brief, uneven run in Norman.
His Oklahoma tape gives evaluators plenty to sort through, with better production against Group of 5 competition than against SEC defenses. West Virginias own path only adds to the pressure, since the Mountaineers are set to see several of the nations top quarterbacks this fall, a schedule that will test Hawkins quickly and leave little time for a settling-in period. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Still Has One Offensive Battle Fans Can't Ignore
Rich Rodriguezs offense at West Virginia still has one spot that feels far from settled, and it sits right in the middle of a room that could matter more than people realize. The Mountaineers have Ryan Ward, Josh Sapp, Cam Ball and Kayden Luke all in the mix at tight end and fullback, giving the staff a group with different body types, backgrounds and skill sets as it sorts out how to use them in the offense.
For now, the expectation is that the top three tight ends will all see the field until one player clearly separates, which makes every practice rep and every game snap worth watching. Ward brings the only in-game experience in this system, Sapp offers a blend of athleticism and speed, and Ball has already shown enough in recent work to keep the competition interesting as West Virginia keeps searching for the right fit. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Linebackers Face Big Fall Camp Test After Another Roster Reset
Fall camp is about to put West Virginias linebacker room under a fresh spotlight after yet another roster reset, and this time the group arrives with a mix of experience and unanswered questions. The Mountaineers do have some players who have already logged meaningful snaps and earned respectable PFF grades, which at least gives the staff a starting point as it sorts out who can handle the middle of the defense.
Tyler Stolsky, Ben Cutter, Malachi Hood, Isaiah Patterson and Ashton Woods are the names that stand out as the most seasoned options, and Stolsky in particular brings a production profile that should command attention. Still, the bigger issue is how all of those pieces fit together after the turnover, and whether this group can turn individual experience into something dependable once the pads come on and the competition starts to sort itself out. [Read more 🡒]