PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers announced a few more official signings on Monday and it appears their official list and what has been reported, now matches up. So let's go through every position group and grade how the Steelers have done in free agency.
Offensive line—D
They have done nothing to add to their line and while you could argue Mason Cole is addition by subtraction, they don't have a starting center. This can be quickly rectified, and likely will, in the NFL Draft, but they've got a starting center need. Dan Moore, Junior and James Daniels are going into the final years of their contracts.
Running back—A
They already had a pair in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren that combined for 1,819 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing and 80 receptions and 540 yards receiving in 2023, now they've added a third in Cordarrelle Patterson who can also line up as a receiver and is one of the best kickoff returners in NFL history. Two years ago, with Arthur Smith in Atlanta, Patterson rushed for 675 yards.
Wide Receiver—C
They've lost Diontae Johnson in a trade, say what you want about his attitude, he provided 391 catches, 4363 yards and 25 touchdowns in five seasons. They've added Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins as potential players who could get bigger roles with new teams. Watkins fits into the slot, although played with Jalen Hurts last year and had 15 catches for 142 yards and a TD in nine games. Jefferson has played four years in the NFL with 113 career receptions (50 with the Rams in 2021), 1600 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Draft can help fix, but it was an area of need in the offseason with marginal movement.
Quarterback—A
Sure, it might completely backfire, but the Steelers were aggressive in a complete sweep of their room. They decided Kenny Pickett wasn't good enough and shipped him to the Eagles while bringing in Russell Wilson-which depending if you look at the sack/fumbles (45 sacks/10 fumbles) or the 26 TD to eight interceptions in 15 games in 2023, you might grade him differently. Then you got a first-round pick quarterback, with intriguing athleticism, who is 25-years-old likely for a sixth-round pick. Justin Fields had 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions while rushing for 2220 yards and 14 scores in three NFL seasons. They even added Kyle Allen, a backup with the Bills last year, as a third option.
Tight end—I
They had four on the roster and really didn't need to add here. The question is whether they can agree to a new contract or want to strike a new deal with Pat Freiermuth who goes into the last year of his rookie deal.
Defensive line--B
Montravius Adams is a sneaky-solid depth defensive lineman with experience, 35 games (21 starts) with the Steelers and can play at nose our out at tackle. They added a veteran depth piece as well in soon-to-be 30-year-old Dean Lowry who has played 120 NFL games in eight seasons, starting four of nine games with the Vikings last year, where he played equally between running and passing situations.
Middle linebacker—A-
The only thing keeping this from being an A is if you think Patrick Queen was a creation of Roquan Smith in Baltimore. The Steelers sign an athletic linebacker, who has the burst to make plays in the backfield or cover a tight end. The team has been searching for a player like him since the Ryan Shazier injury. There are more, good downhill backers than coverage and if Cole Holcomb can come back midseason from a major knee injury, it would make a really deep group (of course they may reach an injury settlement with Holcomb). Plus, they have project Mark Robinson who has shown a few flashes in his first two seasons.
Outside linebacker--I
Starters are All-Pro and there is a lot of optimism for Nick Herbig to be the third. Finding a fourth, likely a veteran, will be on the agenda, but they could wait until before training camp to make that move if needed. Markus Golden remains available and was a good fit last year.
Safety--B
Injuries were bad enough that Patrick Peterson had to play his first NFL snaps at safety late in the 2023 season. Damontae Kazee is still there, with Keanu Neal released they added a veteran, who seems to be a good locker room guy, in DeShon Eilliott. He agreed to a fairly team-friendly two years and $6 million, and has flexibility. At 6'1", 210 pounds, Elliott started 15 games with Miami finishing with 82 tackles (53 solo). Like Queen, he previously played for the Ravens with seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, an interception, 109 tackles, six tackles for loss, in 28 games. They still have Trenton Thompson and a few other younger players, including 2023 seventh-round pick Corey Trice, who might be a corner or safety, but missed last year due to a knee injury.
Corner--C
They tried Peterson as a starter last year and that didn't work, project James Pierre signed with Washington and it appears Donte Jackson will be opposite Joey Porter, Junior this season. Jackson, acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade, has over a $10 million salary cap hit. The 29-year-old played 16 games with Carolina last year with 59 tackles, five passes defended, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and no interceptions. Oddly enough, Pro Football Focus ranked Jackson equally as Porter as the 63rd best corners in the league.
Special Teams—A
First, they re-signed Miles Killebrew who was voted the best special teams player in the league last season and a captain. They also re-signed long-snapper Christian Kuntz for three years of stability. Then they made a huge upgrade at punter in bringing in Cameron Johnston.
