Grading the Steelers 9 free agent signings from 2022 moves

With free agency past its first wave of major names, here are the initial grades for the Steelers biggest offseason signings.

The Steelers had one of their most active free agency periods in 2022, as they spend a huge portion of their resources to help rebuild this roster. While there are other moves that can be made, the brunt of their major moves have already happened. It has been a mixed bag, to say the least. Here are my early grades for the Steelers signings.

Steelers re-sign their depth players

Contract: Various

Grade: C

This grade encompasses the three major depth signings that occurred for more than the minimum. Those deals are the Arthur Maulet, Miles Killebrew, and Montravius Adams deals that the Steelers handed out. While all of these players a good depth options, none of them are essential starters. The money handed out to them wasn’t a bargain, but it wasn’t anything egregious either. Thus, this trio of signings earns an average grade.

The best of these deals was Killibrew, as he is one of the better special teams players in the league. Getting him for 2 million a season was a great deal. Adams, on the other hand, is slightly too expensive at 2.5 million a season. It isn’t crippling, but it seems like a slight overpay for some comfortable depth. As for Maulet, he just as easily could have been signed for the minimum.

None of these deals are horrible, but outside of Killibrew, none of these deals were great values, thus the “C” grade. None of these deals will cripple the team long-term, but an overpay, even as slight as these deals were, are still overpays.

Steelers re-sign Okorafor

Contract: 3-years, 29.25 million

Grade: D+

The other major Steelers re-signing, Chukwuma Okorafor got a sizable extension to keep him with the team for at least next season. While this is a three-year deal, the structure makes it essentially a one-year pact, as Pittsburgh can move on very easily next year if he struggles. As well, if he excels, the team can keep him on for an additional year or two.

That said, the nearly 10 million dollars a year he signed for is a significant overpay. Yes, tackles get paid in free agency, and reports came out that Okorafor had other suitors that drove his price up, but this is still a lot for a player of his caliber. He is an average tackle at best that struggles in run blocking. The team didn’t have anything better on the roster at the time, but trying to upgrade from Okorafor would have been the better move.

Names like La’el Collins, Morgan Moses, and Trent Brown were all available or became available this offseason, and each of them signed for less overall money than Okorafor. You even think back to last year with Matt Feiler, who got 7 million a season, and almost 10 million a year is a lot for a player of Okorafor’s caliber. There were better options for less money in free agency, thus this deal can’t be graded that well.

Steelers sign Olszewski

Contract: 2-years, 4.2 million

Grade: B-

This is a hard grade to determine, as Gunner Olszewski is not an expensive name. Frankly, how you grade him is based solely on how much you value a returner. While an important aspect to any team, returns are quickly being phased out of the NFL game. That said, Olszewski can handle both kick and punt return duties but little else besides that.

2.1 million a season for a pure returner seems a little rich. While Olszewski was dynamic in that role two seasons ago, he was more average this past season. The real issue is that Olszewski contributes nothing on offense. He has 15 total touches in his three seasons as a pro. He is a returner-only type of player, which in turn limits this grade.

While this isn’t a massive overpay by any means, it certainly can’t be graded like a bargain. The reason he scrapes out a low B is that he can also contribute on coverage units. That makes him valuable as a special teams player. Will he be a dynamic player for this team? No, but he helps fill out the special team’s unit well enough for the price.

Steelers sign Wallace and Witherspoon

Contract: 2-years, 8 million

Grade: A-

This is a combined grade, as both cornerbacks got nearly identical deals and will likely figure in as starters. While neither name is a true lockdown cornerback, both have flashed quality starting abilities. Ahkello Witherspoon became the Steelers best cornerback last season after he finally earned a helmet. He has been streaky in the past, but for the money he got this was a fine deal.

The other signing is easily one of the most underrated moves by the Steelers this offseason. Levi Wallace may not be a household name, but he has been incredibly consistent during his time as a Bills cornerback. I have zero issues with him being a starter and think that he will likely outplay his contract. He is battle-tested and has been a valuable cornerback to this point in his career.

The above image is a compilation of his first four years in the league. Wallace has consistently been graded by PFF in the mid to high 60s and has never given up an average QBR of 85.5 over a season. He did all of this while regularly being tested since he was lined up across from Tre’Davious White. He is exactly what you want in a second cornerback.

The biggest issue I’ve seen people complain about with him is his lack of tested athleticism. While his RAS number is bad, a common theme in the Steelers cornerback room, it hasn’t proven to be an issue yet for Wallace. As well, Witherspoon rejoining the team gives them a more athletic starter to work within the secondary. I see both being significant starters for this team and getting a player like that for 4 million a season is a great deal.

Steelers sign Cole

Contract: 3-years, 15.75 million

Grade: F+

From one of the best Steelers signing to easily their worst, the Mason Cole deal, initially, was an alarming one. If that was all the team planned on doing along their line, the offense was going to be in for a long season. Luckily, things got better (more on that later), but it doesn’t change the fact that the Cole signing is a bad one.

Unlike Wallace from before, Cole has a steady track record of being a below-average lineman in the league. He finally had an ok season last year as a center, but he only played about 500 snaps there. His career average PFF score came out to be a disappointing 57, a far cry from a true improvement to an offensive line that needed some major help.

The real question now is where will Cole play and can he beak out Kendrick Green for a starting role? My guess is both will compete for the center role, and while Green was a disaster last season, his play wasn’t a far cry from a typical Cole season. Unless he has truly turned a corner, this is a massive overpay. Personally, I think there is a better chance that Green starts than there is Cole becoming a viable starter.

Steelers sign Trubisky

Contract: 2-years, 14.285 million

Grade: A-

While many in the fanbase are split on what Mitchell Trubisky can bring to this offense, it is hard to argue against the contract that brought him in. He is getting paid 7 million a season to potentially start and at worse be a high-end backup to a rookie. Considering how expensive some backups and transitional quarterbacks have been in the past, this is a good value deal at a base level.

This doesn’t even consider the improvements Trubisky may have made with the Bills. He was working with coaches that took Josh Allen, a player with similar traits and issues to Trubisky, and turned him into a top quarterback in the league. While expecting Trubisky to suddenly be Allen is silly, it wouldn’t be shocking to see better play from him than when he was with the Bears on his rookie deal.

Even if he follows suit with what the team envisioned from him (being the transitional quarterback for an eventual rookie), his price is fair. The Steelers gave up no draft picks and essentially four million dollars of cap space to acquire Trubisky this season. It is hard to find a lot of bad in this deal as of now.

Steelers sign Jack

Contract: 2-years, 16 million

Grade: C

If Wallace is one of the most underrated signings of the offseason, Myles Jack may be the most overrated signing. Cut from the Jaguars this offseason, Jack was at one point an up-and-coming linebacker that offered everything you wanted from a starter. Ever since signing his major extension though, it seems like Jack’s play has regressed.

To be fair this isn’t entirely Jack’s fault. The Jaguars’ front seven as a whole shifted and got considerably worse. Suddenly, Jack was forced to take on more blockers at the second level and it made him a far more hesitant player. With the Steelers’ front seven set to be one of the better ones assuming they get all of their starters back, Jack could go back to his better play with fewer responsibilities on his shoulders.

While I am optimistic about his ability to rebound, his contract is hefty for a player you are hoping can rebound. As well, he plays a similar style of game to Devin Bush. I personally would have preferred more of a run-stopping linebacker (albeit they could still draft one). Jack has some promise and potential, but those expecting him to make this linebacker group elite again need to watch some of his more recent film.

Steelers sign Daniels

Contract: 3-years, 26.5 million

Grade: A+

While James Daniels was the Steelers most expensive free-agent signing, he is easily the best player that they brought in and it isn’t even close. When you factor in his play, their need along the interior, and the price he ultimately signed for, landing Daniels was a huge get for this team. Despite the heavy contract, this is an easy “A” grade for the team.

Daniels has been one of the most consistent starters for the Bears over the past four seasons. He can play any position along the interior, although his best tape has come at guard. He has good athleticism, great reach, and a nasty demeanor as a blocker. The moment the ink dried on his contract he became the best lineman on this team, and it isn’t particularly close.

While nearly nine million a season is a considerable amount of money, Daniels is well worth it. He will only be 25 this season on top of all of this, meaning he likely hasn’t even hit his prime as a player and could be a top-end starter for the next eight-plus seasons. This deal was a huge one for the team, and while he was costly, Daniels will be worth every penny.

The Steelers had an extremely active free agency period in 2022. While not every move was exciting or perfect, the team added a lot of talent where they needed it. While these grades are subject to change, here is an initial look at the free agency haul from Pittsburgh’s 2022 offseason.