Three pending free agents Steelers must try to re-sign
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers would be well served by re-signing a former second-round draft pick
When Sean Davis went down with an injury at the outset of the 2019 season, the Steelers traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who, quite frankly, proved to be worth every bit of the first-round pick we surrendered to the Miami Dolphins to acquire him. Fitzpatrick finished the 2019 season with 9 passes defended and 5 INTs.
So why do the Steelers need to re-sign Davis? Fitzpatrick was both a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro this season. Since he and Davis play the same position, Free Safety, we don’t need to re-sign Davis. On the contrary, we do need to re-sign him. Here’s why that is: Terrell Edmunds
Since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft, Edmunds has tallied 7 passes defended and 1 lone INT…in two seasons. Look, I realize some players develop faster than others, but Edmunds is a liability at the Strong Safety spot. Davis; however, has played Strong Safety in out defense.
Since being drafted in 2016, Davis has tallied 20 passes defended and 5 INTs in essentially three seasons with 2019 being a ‘lost’ season. Behind starters Fitzpatrick and Edmunds, the Steelers depth at either FS or SS in questionable at best.
If the Steelers were to re-sign Davis, he would not only provide much-needed depth but may push Edmunds for the starting SS spot. Competition in any position is not a bad thing, but, in this case, competition is an absolute must. Honestly, I think Davis could make Edmunds better because of the aforementioned lack of depth. Right now, no one is pushing Edmunds at all.
Davis can provide the kind of veteran presence we have always coveted. Whether or not the Steelers want to re-sign Davis or Davis wants to re-sign with us remains to be seen, but I think it would be in our best interest to at least explore the possibility.
Let’s take a look at why the Steelers need to try to re-sign B.J. Finney.