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Steelers Free Agency: Defensive Backs

By Kim Myers

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) and defensive back Brandon Boykin (25) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) and defensive back Brandon Boykin (25) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will Allen, SS

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Will Allen (20) during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Will Allen (20) during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Allen certainly played like he enjoyed his second stint with the Steelers. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He spent six seasons with the Buccaneers till signing with the Steelers for the first time in 2010.

He left for the Dallas Cowboys in the spring of 2013 but was released by October of that year and re-signed by the Steelers. This season Allen had a career-year with 4 sacks, 80 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.

The problem with those numbers is that they should have come from Shamarko Thomas, a safety the Steelers traded a draft pick to the Cleveland Browns to grab in 2013 to be the heir apparent to Troy Polamalu. Thomas has failed to stake a claim at the full-time job of starting safety and Allen leap-frogged him on the depth chart in 2015.

The Steelers will most likely move on from Allen this offseason. He’ll turn 34 prior to the start of training camp and they need to find a strong safety to pair with Mike Mitchell for the foreseeable future. Allen wasn’t even supposed to be the starting strong safety this season.

Next: Antwon Blake

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