For a team that is usually pretty quiet during free agency, the Steelers made a little noise this year making three larger than normal acquisitions to fill some much needed holes on this team. Let's take a look at the three big acquisitions and see how they fit on the 2019 Steelers!
Steven Nelson, CB
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| Steelers.com |
Contract: 3 yrs/25.5 Million
Former Team and 2018 Stats: KC Chiefs. Started all 18 games. 4 INTs.
Signing Grade: B+
Where He Fits in: There is a 99% chance that Nelson starts opposite corner to Joe Haden, which was a big hole that the Steelers needed to fill this off season. Sensabaugh was about as average of a corner you could have, and he lacked the ability to make splash plays. Nelson has shown the ability to create turnovers, which is something the Steelers drastically need. His biggest flaw is he has the ability to give up the deep ball.
Season Prediction: Nelson will easily hold off Artie Burned, Mike Hilton, Justin Layne, and Cam Sutton to start every game opposite of Haden. We predict he will match his 2018 totals with 4 INTs, which is a major improvement over last years corner contributions.
Donte Moncrief, WR
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| steelers.com |
Contract: 2 yr/9 Million
Former Team and 2018 Stats: Jax Jaguars. 14 Games Started. 48 catches, 668 yards, 3 TD
Signing Grade: A
Where He Fits in: Immediately as one of Ben's starting receivers and a leader among a young receiving core. Obviously, there is some production that needs to be filled at the receiver position and Moncrief has a history of being just that, productive. His best season, 2015, with the Colts he had 733 yards and 6 TD's and the following season, he played his fewest games (9) yet still caught 7 scores. With a good QB throwing to him, he can be a solid target. Even with a bad QB throwing to him, he had over 650 yards. Ben will be the best QB he's played with.
Season Prediction: Moncrief will start the season as the #2 receiver due to his veteran presence and if he plays all of the majority (if not all of) the season, he not only could be a security blanket for Ben, but realistically also rack up 800+ yards and 6 TD's. We expect him to drop to the #3 receiver option, in hopes, that James Washington, Diontae Johnson, or any young receiver can come to fruition as the new #2 of the future. Hopefully, Moncrief can embrace a veteran/mentor role.
Mark Barron, ILB/Hybrid Safety
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| steelers.com |
Contract: 2 yr/12 Million
Former Team and 2018 Stats: LA Rams. 12 Games Started. 60 Tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 0 INT
Signing Grade: B
Where He Fits in: The surprising and biggest name pickup of the offseason. Barron notably shuffled from Safety to Linebacker for the Rams over the last few years and we expect him to play a sort-of similar role in Keith Butler's defense. On the surface it seems like a repeat of the Morgan Burnett experiment from 2018, but Barron also brings you, greater athleticism, and established experience in the hybrid role. Ever since the drafting of Ryan Shazier, the Steelers philosophy seemed to be speed and flexibility, so this signing makes complete sense.
Season Prediction: Originally it seemed like Barron might be given more of a starting chance in Pittsburgh, but then the draft came. Given the high praise Devin Bush has already received in rookie camp and OTA's, it seems like Barron could split time with him at LB. More likely, we see him as quality depth, which is must needed at the LB position, and replacing Vince Williams on many passing-downs. In addition, Barron will see time on multiple sub-packages early on. Whether he stays on those will depend on the game plan that week, growth of secondary depth, and his ability to balance the hybrid role.
We were very pleased with what the Steelers did in free agency and we think each of these guys can have a big contribution to the 2019 team. We will revisit this article at the end of the season to see how they did and if our predictions were close to their production. Thanks for reading!
-Aaron and Ryan, TGYK
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