McDonald Can Be an Asset to the Passing Game

His signing came without much fanfare.  Last season, that same type of pickup was running back Mewelde Moore, who ended up being a key part of a team that needed running back help, and ended up needing Moore a lot more than they knew after Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall were hurt.

This season in the offseason the team again has made no real front page headlines in terms of signing free agents, but there’s one player that could come in and give the team a lift in the passing game for a unit that seems to be in transition after losing Nate Washington and still seeing what they will get from Limas Sweed and rookie Mike Wallace.

That player is former Rams and Lions pass catcher Shaun McDonald, who came to the club in a quiet move on June 5th. McDonald, a former 3rd round pick of the Rams back in 2003, played in 12 games last season, pulling in 35 passes for 332 yards and one score. Just two years ago he had a team high 79 catches for the Lions for 943 yards and 6 touchdowns.

What the Steelers seem to always do best is find players that fit their system, and find them on the cheap. This is not to say that McDonald is even a lock for a roster spot, but the guy has had some pretty solid seasons already, putting up years of 37, 46, 79 and 35 catches.

Consider that Washington, who left to take a huge deal to play for Tennesse, caught 40 passes last season, and over his first three pro seasons has years of 35, 29 and 40 catches, you can see why McDonald might simply be able to walk in and take his spot.

McDonald can also return punts, so he team may have also found a guy there that can fill that role. Is he going to start opposite Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes? No. But make no mistake, he’s a vet that can make some plays, and for the Steelers looking to not miss a beat, that’s all they really are looking for.