The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a quiet start to free agency, with more outgoing players than incoming. As we wait for an exciting move from the front office, fans are trying to get on board with the underwhelming transactions the team has made early in free agency. Brandin Echols is the perfect example of this.
The Steelers made the Echols signing official on Thursday, and the veteran cornerback spoke to the media in his first Steelers press conference. Echols even took a moment to persuade Aaron Rodgers to come to Pittsburgh.
But this free-agent addition is a bit head-scratching.
The Steelers indeed need depth at the cornerback position. Even after adding Darius Slay and Echols, more talent is needed. Unfortunately, Echols is unlikely to be the player fans are hoping for.
Former NY Jets cornerback Brandin Echols doesn't make sense with the Pittsburgh Steelers
At 5'10'' and 179 pounds, many Steelers fans rushed to the conclusion that Brandin Echols would give Pittsburgh a veteran option as a nickel cornerback. However, that wasn't his role with the Jets. Despite his size (or lack thereof), Echols played a mere nine defensive snaps at slot cornerback last season while 351 snaps came as a boundary CB, per Pro Football Focus' charting.
This means that, even though Darius Slay agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Steelers and will play on the boundary, so will Echols.
There's nothing wrong with added depth at the cornerback position, but the Steelers need a nickel defensive back who can compete with Beanie Bishop Jr. Likewise, Echols doesn't come close to fitting the size profile Pittsburgh should be aiming for at the position.
While Echols is a terrific athlete with sub 4.4 speed, he struggles mightily as a run defender (earned the 104th-ranked run defense grade out of 105 qualifying cornerbacks in 2024 from PFF). Even in coverage, Echols was the player in the Jets' secondary who was picked on frequently.
After giving up nearly 600 yards in 14 games as a rookie in 2021, Echols was demoted to a rotational role in New York over the past three seasons. On just 243 passing snaps last season, the fourth-year cornerback surrendered 324 yards and three touchdowns.
Fortunately, Echols can play special teams. He's logged 707 snaps in this department over his first four seasons. But if you're expecting Brandin Echols to compete for a starting job on the Pittsburgh Steelers or to be the answer to their cornerback problems, you might not want to hold your breath. This is nothing more than a depth signing.