2 free agents that could take the Pittsburgh Steelers to the next level in 2020
S Reshad Jones
A neck surgery and the question on whether or not Reshad Jones would play again after being released in the roster overhaul of the Miami Dolphins are all that stands in the way.
There could be a very valid argument made that Reshad Jones was the best safety from 2010-2019 in the NFL. He is possibly the most underrated player the NFL has ever had and the reason for that is because he played for a horrid Miami Dolphins team.
The former 5th round pick never made an all-pro team. This was a travesty in and of itself. Between 2011 and 2018, as he only started 2 games in 2010 and 4 games in 2019 due to injury, he put up 20 interceptions, 52 passes defended, forced 3 fumbles, recovered 6 fumbles, scored 6 defensive touchdowns, tallied 728 tackles,10.5 sacks, and obtained 38 tackles for a loss.
To put those numbers in perspective Eric Berry was a 3 time all pro and from 2010-2018 he posted 14 interceptions, 51 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, scored 5 touchdowns, tallied 445 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and obtained 29 tackles for a loss. Yes, Reshad Jones had nearly double the number of tackles Eric Berry had.
Earl Thomas was another 3 time all pro and from 2010-2018 he acquired 28 interceptions, 67 passes defended, forced 1 fumble, recovered 5 fumbles, scored 3 touchdowns, 664 tackles, 2 sacks, and 11 tackles for a loss. Thomas has the edge in the passing game, but not by much and Jones was definitely more effective as a tackler and blitzer.
In Jones’ 8 years starting he put up a better career stat line than the two “best” safeties of the last decade. He gave the Dolphins everything you could ask for and more from a safety. He was excellent in coverage, a big play walking scoring 6 touchdowns in 8 years, was a tackling machine, and was even a menace while blitzing. I wouldn’t expect him to be the type of player that he has been throughout his career coming back from a neck injury.
Even so, he would be an amazing piece of depth if not just a better coverage safety than Terrell Edmunds. He has a prior history working with all pro talent Minkah Fitzpatrick which would help his integration into Pittsburgh’s schemes. It was also reported he felt snubbed not making the NFL’s all-decade team and rightfully so.
He might have incentive to take a team-friendly deal with a super bowl contender that could use him rotationally and let him add to his legacy. He may end up being the most under-appreciated defensive back in NFL history if not one of the most under-appreciated players in the NFL. The Steelers could give him a chance to garner the accolades he truly deserves. Of course, this all relies on where Jones is at in recovering from neck surgery.