CBS Sports provides the Steelers a ‘B’ grade for the initial week of totally free agency

With the weekend right here, it really is a fantastic time to take a appear back at how the Pittsburgh Steelers fared in the initial week of NFL totally free agency. When some, like me, believe the new CEO Omar Khan has accomplished a fantastic job so far, what does the national media believe?

CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell has graded each and every NFL team’s totally free agency so far and gave the Steelers a “B” grade. Podell noted that the loss of cornerback Cameron Sutton wasn’t excellent, but the group brought in an sufficient replacement and also filled holes.

“When losing Cameron Sutton is not best, replacing him with 1 of the NFL’s active co-leaders in interceptions, Patrick Peterson, is a strong two-year, $14 million cap hit,” Podell wrote. “Peterson had 5 interceptions final season, the second-most of his profession, and had a coverage grade of 79.7, the eighth-highest amongst all cornerbacks according to Pro Football Concentrate.

When Sutton is younger, extra versatile and a far better player than Peterson at this point in his profession, bringing in a veteran like Peterson for much less funds than Sutton is not necessarily a negative move. It really is no secret that Pittsburgh is searching to upgrade its operating back area in the NFL Draft, and paying $11 million a year for Sutton who may possibly have had to move back to the slot would not make the most sense primarily based on worth.

Moving on, the Steelers also created moves to add depth at offensive guard and shake up their interior area at linebacker. Podell singled out the signings of operating back Nate Herbig and linebacker Cole Holcomb as moves he liked for Pittsburgh.

“Nate Herbig on a two-year, $eight million contract is a good addition to the depth.” The exact same goes for linebacker Cole Holcomb, who is coming in to replace former initial-round choose Devin Bush on a 3-year deal. It really is early, so not a lot of other activity for Mike Tomlin’s club, but a strong start out to the off-season.”

Herbig has a likelihood to compete for the beginning ideal guard spot on the offensive line with Kevin Dotson this offseason, and even if he does not win it, he offers substantially-necessary depth really should Dotson or James Daniels get injured. Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney constructed a film area on Herbig and he is an absolute persons mover. If he gets the job, he will assist the run game mightily.

Moving on to Holcomb, he is a speedy linebacker who is robust against the run and can switch from sideline to sideline. When he’s weaker against the pass, that is a thing the Steelers will have to have to address either in the NFL draft or later in totally free agency. Jonathan Heitritter did a film area on what to count on from Holcomb in Pittsburgh and broke down his game.

The addition of former Miami Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts also assists the Steelers’ defense. Final season alone, Roberts created ten tackles for loss, displaying he has no dilemma receiving into the backfield and stopping the run.

There are nonetheless regions exactly where Omar Khan demands to boost this group. Pittsburgh demands a young cornerback to play on the outdoors, some depth at the tackle positions, a linebacker to cover, a receiver and perhaps even a cornerback in the slot. Luckily for the group, there is nonetheless a lot of time and the Steelers have currently filled some demands. There are techniques to make this group a Super Bowl contender, but just 1 week into totally free agency, Khan has accomplished a fantastic job and deserves a “B” grade.