It wasn’t planned that way, but 2015 fifth-round draft pick Jesse James has spent the majority of his career functioning as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top tight end, leading the position in snaps, targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in both 2016 and 2017. This is in spite of the fact that the team acquired veteran tight ends in each year to be starters.
But the Penn State product hasn’t actually solidified himself as a starter. Rather, he’s been a prolific spot starter due to injury, first because of Ladarius Green and then because of Vance McDonald.