The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very busy offseason in 2023, signing multiple players to try and fill in some holes, making draft day a little easier on them. With all the moves made, the Steelers should go into the season as a better team, especially with the weakest of the defensive positions being completely overhauled. Even with all these moves, there is still a question to be answered. How impactful are these moves? How much better are the Steelers now than in Week 18 of the 2022 season?
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Cornerback Patrick Peterson was one of the Steelers' biggest signings in the 2023 free agency period..
Who did the Steelers sign?
The first free agent that the Steelers brought in was Patrick Peterson, a veteran cornerback from the Minnesota Vikings. With Cameron Sutton leaving in free agency, Peterson will help take over at the outside cornerback position. It is also expected that the Steelers will draft cornerback round 1, and Peterson will help mentor the rookie while they rotate on the outside. While the Steelers won't get prime Peterson, they should still get solid value out of him.
Grade: B+
To help overhaul the linebacker core, the Steelers signed Cole Holcomb from the Washington Commanders, who is looking for a bounce-back season after missing 11 games due to injury in 2022. When he's on the field, he's a tackle machine, although the Steelers are likely tired of hearing that cliché, as both Myles Jack and Jon Bostic were both given the same description. Signing a tackle machine fooled the Steelers twice. Will it happen again? It doesn't help that Holcomb is not very involved with turnovers, just like the 2022 Steelers linebacker core.
Grade: C
Former Washington Commanders and expected Steelers new linebacker, Cole Holcomb. | Photo Credit: washingtoncommanders.com
Alongside Holcomb, the Steelers also brought in Elandon Roberts to help man the new linebacker core. You can also copy/paste Holcomb's traits for Roberts. He is a tackle machine that hasn't been involved in generating turnovers. However, Roberts is also coming off of his best season as a blitzer, racking up 4.5 sacks. He also was healthy over the last two seasons. Roberts has a little more pedigree than Holcomb, but can he turn it into being a regular force in the middle of the field?
Grade: C+
Even with Terrell Edmunds leaving, the Steelers made sure to bring in great depth with Keanu Neal. Between Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, there is a lot of versatility at the safety position, Neal will likely end up being a rotational piece, as well as dimebacker in passing situations. It helps that Neal and Kazee have a connection, as they were teammates, both with the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys. There should be some chemistry at safety, as well as plenty of odd looks and position shifting to throw off opposing offenses.
Grade: B-
Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Los Angelas Chargers Defensive Tackle Breiden Fehoko
The run defense improved in 2022, but it could still be better. The Steelers brought in a run-stuffing nose tackle in Breiden Fehoko. He should be a solid piece in the middle of the defensive line for the Steelers in more traditional 3-4 or goal-line packages. While Fehoko didn't play much for the Los Angeles Chargers due to injuries in 2022, he was a force on the line when he was on the field.
Grade: B-
Overall Defensive Free Agent Grade: B-
What do you think of the defensive players that the Steelers brought in, and their grades? Let us know down in the comments.
#SteelerNation
