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Final grades for every Steelers free agent signing from 2022

By Andrew Falce

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Myles Jack #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on August 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Myles Jack #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on August 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images) /
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Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels (78) assists quarterback Kenny Pickett (8)  Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Steelers signed Daniels

Contract: 3 years, 26.5 million

Grade: A+

Final Grade: B+

James Daniels was a player I was banging the table for all of last season. He fits the mold of an interior player, was consistently a top blocker with the Bears, and was extremely young entering free agency. Pittsburgh scooped him up on a big deal, and I was expecting him to be the cornerstone of this line.

While Daniels wasn’t bad, he didn’t live up to the lofty expectations I had for him entering the season. While his play was good, and he quickly developed into the team’s best blocker down the stretch, his overall play was a tad below what I was expecting. While I would argue that he was clearly the Steelers best offensive lineman, he wasn’t as dominant as I thought he would be.

This doesn’t mean he is a bust of a signing. Daniels had to transition to a new team and learn a new system, so some struggling makes sense. I expect the line to be built around him this offseason as well given the dependable player he turned into. While not the home run I had pegged him as Daniels was a great contract and looks like a quality lineman for this team.

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