Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan wasn't lying when he said the team wasn't done in free agency. Just hours after the news that the team is close to signing safety Keanu Neal, they have made another addition. It's another acquisition that will help the run defense, as they have signed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko, as tweeted by his agent David Canter.
Photo Credit: USA Today
It's a move that helps the depth along the defensive line, which was much-needed for the 2023 squad. It still remains a position of need heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, but the front office may be inclined to wait another round or two now. Fehoko made the Chargers' roster as an undrafted free agent back in 2020. Before that, the Hawaiian played his college ball at Texas Tech and then LSU, the latter of which he won a national title with.
Congratulations to @gsefootball client @breidenfehoko4 on agreeing to terms to sign with @steelers pic.twitter.com/sf6KOedKMJ
— David Canter (@davidcanter) March 30, 2023
In three seasons with the Chargers, the defensive lineman appeared in 19 games total, which included four starts. Based off that, he should be considered a depth signing at this point, not necessarily a starter. He did play 279 (52%) defensive snaps in 2022, the most of his career. He provides some value on special teams as well, as he has 101 snaps there over the last two years.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
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His increased playing time did come with mixed results in his third professional season though. Of 127 qualifying interior defensive linemen, Pro Football Focus ranked Fehoko tied-for-102nd with a 49.2 overall grade. For comparison, that was just a few spots ahead of Steelers lineman, Montravius Adams.
Fehoko will get an opportunity to beat out guys like Adams and Isaiahh Loudermilk along the defensive line. The team also re-signed Larry Ogunjobi to a big three-year deal just a few weeks ago.
What are your thoughts on this signing by the front office? Do you think Fehoko has a shot at starting, or is it purely a depth move? Is DL still a position of need?
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