For Lake McRee, the message couldn't be clearer: prove them wrong.

The 2026 NFL Draft saw a record-breaking 22 tight ends selected—the most since 2002. Nine of those players went in the first three rounds. But McRee, the standout from USC, wasn't among them. Instead, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent, carrying a chip on his shoulder that's as big as his potential.

That alone should fuel a rookie's fire. But here's the real kicker: the tight end position has never been more valuable. As Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports points out, offensive masterminds like Sean McVay (Rams) and Ben Johnson (Bears) are loading up on tight ends, using two- and even three-tight-end formations to dominate defenses. Why? Because football is evolving. Spread offenses took over high school and college, forcing defenses to go smaller and faster. The natural counter? Get bigger. And that means more tight ends on the field.

The numbers back it up. In 2016, college offenses used two-tight-end sets just 17.6% of the time. By 2025, that number jumped to 23.0%, peaking at 24.0% in 2024. The trend is undeniable: tight ends are becoming the backbone of modern offenses.

So for McRee, the path is clear. He wasn't one of the 22 chosen, but he has every reason to believe he belongs. The Pittsburgh Steelers gave him a shot, and now it's up to him to plant his flag. With the game evolving around him, this undrafted Trojan has all the motivation he needs to prove that sometimes, the best players aren't the ones drafted—they're the ones with something to prove.