Steelers Awake From Slumber, Execute a Signing Trio

The Steelers had an extremely quiet start to free agency but things are starting to move. Let’s take a look at the new additions from this week as we introduce them to the black and gold faithful.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for avoiding huge splash signings in free agency but fans somehow forget this every year.

That is because every year, the inevitable rumors about big names linked to Pittsburgh get the hopes of fans everywhere up just to get let down an hour later when news breaks of that player signing elsewhere.

The Steelers have always worked this way and will continue working this way as long as they are around. The strategy hasn’t exactly done them wrong, has it?

Even with all the big names they avoid, Pittsburgh somehow always finds a way to get a few quality bargains to help make them better. This year was no different as they have now signed three new players to the squad.

Let me introduce you to them below:

Tyson Alualu, DL, 6’3″ 295

Tyson Alualu is a former top-10 pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars that never quite reached the potential he had. He has, however, been a model of consistency posting at least 2 sacks in all seven years of his career except one.

He has also registered at least 30 tackles every year except one.

One of Pittsburgh’s big offseason needs was to get depth along the defensive front helping to take pressure of Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward. This signing helps give them a guy to send in for a down or two to give those guys a rest.

Tyson Alualu has registered 17.5 career sacks in seven years. He is competitive and although he did not pan out as the top-10 pick he was, his career has been a good one for the amount of work that will be expected of him in Pittsburgh.

Coty Sensabaugh, CB, 5’11” 190

Coty Sensabaugh is a signing in a major area of need for Pittsburgh. The age of William Gay and the health of Senequz Golson opens up a huge door for playing nickel corner in the Steelers defense.

Sensabaugh had a rough go in 2016 after signing a $15 million deal in Los Angeles only to be cut in October. He then signed with the Giants and played for 10 games, but did not make much of an impact.

Sensabaugh comes in on a two-year, $2.6 million deal with $495,000 guaranteed. He will look to compete for the starting nickel spot with Gay and Golson if he can stay healthy.

Below is a quick clip of Sensabaugh in action via Blitzburgh on Twitter:

Knile Davis, RB, 6’0″ 225 pounds

Knile Davis was once thought to be the heir apparent to Jamaal Charles in Kansas City. This thought soon faded, however when Davis was unable to find his groove at running back.

Davis has 805 yards on 250 career carries and 11 touchdowns. He has only managed to scrounge up a 3.2 yards per carry average in his career.

While he does play running back, they signed him primarily to return kicks for Pittsburgh. His career 73 returns for 1,960 yards and two touchdowns is a much-needed improvement on the return game in Pittsburgh.

He has also added four returns for 196 yards and one touchdown in playoff games.

Below is a video of all three career return touchdowns via Alex Kozora on Twitter:

Next: Best Steelers Of The 21st Century

These three men weren’t the biggest names this year’s class had to offer but they do help the team get better. Pittsburgh still has time to add another new face or two before April. If they choose not to however, filling these needs will help bring the draft strategy into better focus.