It was to no surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers used most of their 2022 NFL Draft picks on the offensive side of the ball. With the Steelers only averaging 20.2 points per game last season, a complete overhaul of the offense was the top off-season point of emphasis. However, the Steelers did look to free agency to add to the defense. The Steelers acquired Jacksonville Jaguars standout linebacker Myles Jack early in free agency. Jack, who started in 15 games in 2021 and had 108 combined tackles, will be a tremendous addition to the defense and especially to a inside linebacking core that has struggled in recent years. Levi Wallace, formerly with the Buffalo Bills, was also an early acquisition for the Steelers in free agency. Wallace, a solid number two corner, was one of the top corners on the Bills in 2021. He went on to record 2 interceptions and 58 combined tackles. He will be a starter and most likely play on the outside along with Ahkello Witherspoon.
Damontae Kazee was added by the Steelers late in free agency and will add depth at the safety position. Kazee was drafted in 2017 by the Atlanta Falcons where he played his first four seasons. In 2021, Kazee was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys where he appeared in 17 games and started 15. He recorded 2 interceptions and 52 combined tackles. I would expect Terrell Edmunds to be the Week 1 starter at strong safety, but Kazee will get a significant number of snaps and could potentially challenge Edmunds for the starting spot later in the season.
With all of these additions, there is still one significant loss that will hurt the Steelers next season. It appears the Steelers will be losing veteran cornerback Joe Haden. Earlier this week, Haden made a post on his Instagram story of moving boxes at his home in Pittsburgh. Haden battled some injuries in 2021, but still appeared in 12 games. His stat line wasn't overly impressive, but he made a game-winning tackle in the Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans. Haden is most valued by his tremendous leadership skills for the younger players in the secondary. Although the Steelers had made some additions, the loss of Haden will play an affect on this defense. The Steelers are still in need of that veteran presence in the secondary that can fill the shoes of Haden.
Xavier Rhodes is the answer for the Steelers
Xavier Rhodes comes to mind for me when I think about a possible replacement for Haden. Rhodes will be 32 next month and is coming off of a season where he started 13 games for the Indianapolis Colts. Since being the 25th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings, Rhodes has been to 3 Pro Bowls, most recently in 2019, and was in the running for defensive player of the year in 2017.
Xavier Rhodes making a tackle against the New York Jets. | Photo Credit: Indianapolis Colts
In recent years, his numbers have started to decline, but his veteran presence is what would be the most valuable for the Steelers' younger corners. Going off of last seasons numbers, he had a comparable season to Haden. In 2021, Rhodes did record 1 interception and have 39 combined tackles, so his production is still solid considering his age. I think he would play great alongside Witherspoon and Wallace and also just provide all around depth at the cornerback position. I would expect the Steelers could get Rhodes for roughly a one-year, $2-3 million deal.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers add more depth to this new look defense? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
