The AFC North seemed to improve this offseason, and these five new players should be giving the Steelers a reason to be scared.
Offseason change is a natural part of the NFL flow of things. Good teams see their top free agents depart for big money deals from the rest of the league. The goal during this time is to better your team as well as counteract the strengths of your divisional rivals. The AFC North was busy this year, as the Steelers’ three rivals added a slew of new talent that will seemingly improve their team.
What should the Steelers be nervous about?
While the Steelers won the division last season, times certainly appear to be changing. With the heavy losses sustained during the offseason, Pittsburgh is no longer the clear favorites to win the division. As well, each of the three other AFC North teams added quite a few intriguing players both in free agency and through the draft. Not all of these players scream doom for the Steelers. However, these five new additions seem like they will cause the team some problems during the 2021 season.
John Johnson III
A rangy free safety, John Johnson offers the Browns a new element that this defense has been lacking in recent seasons. He can play deep as well as cover receivers one on one due to his impressive coverage ability. While he missed the lone game that the Rams played the Steelers during his four-year tenure with them (he was on injured reserve in 2019), that doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat.
While not on the same level as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Johnson is a great player at taking away the deep middle of the field. Testing him isn’t wise either, as his eight career interceptions show just how dangerous it is to test him deep. He has the size to play strong safety as well, further adding to the value he brings to the Browns. While not an elite player, Johnson’s versatility and ball-hawking skills make him a threat that the Steelers will have to contend with.