Isaac Redman

At 6-0, 230, Redman is a bruiser with deceptive athleticism. A 147-yard workhorse effort in Week 9 provided a glimpse of what Redman is capable, but he was not able to display it often enough during a season riddled by nagging injuries and inconsistent playing time. With Le'Veon Bell out with a foot injury out of the gate, Redman could see the bulk of the team's early season carries, with LaRod Stephens-Howling and Felix Jones candidates to serve as change-of-pace options.

Redman is an undrafted 27-year-old journeyman who’s played just two years in the league, but overlook him at your own peril. Replacing an injured Rashard Mendenhall midway through Week 17 last season, Redman racked up 110 yards from scrimmage with a touchdown. He followed that up by totaling 142 yards during the team’s wild card loss. Redman isn’t necessarily special, but he got a strong 3.1 YPC after contact, and more importantly, looks like Pittsburgh’s feature back for 2012. Mendenhall’s injury was a torn ACL that happened so late in the year, there’s concern he won’t play at all during the upcoming season, and it’s likely he starts on the PUP list. Moreover, Pittsburgh addressed its offensive line problems with its first two picks in the draft, and as a 230-pound bruiser who’s also proven to be a capable receiver, Redman could finish as a top fantasy back if he keeps the job all season.

Signed as an undrafted free agent last year, Redman did not see any NFL time in 2009 and was on the Pittsburgh practice squad for most of the season. The team is looking for him to get a bit more involved this year, so he is expected to compete for the short yardage/goal line back role. Rookie Jonathan Dwyer is also in the mix for the role, so Redman has to have a strong camp to secure a spot on the active roster.

An undrafted free agent out of Bowie State, Redman will be hard-pressed to make the active roster. A job with the practice squad seems more likely to occur.