3 remaining free agent safeties the Steelers need to sign (and 2 to avoid)

Makes sense for Steelers: Vonn Bell

I think I have been pounding the table for the Steelers to add Vonn Bell since he entered the league. I remember liking his tape coming out of school and hoping the Steelers would draft him (we took Sean Davis instead). When he finished his rookie deal, I was hopeful the team would target him (the Bengals signed him) and even last year I thought he would be a good fit (so did the Panthers).

Once again, Bell is available, and I am hopeful that Pittsburgh actually signs him. He is the prototype of what you want in a strong safety. He can play in the box and has the coverage skills to thrive deep. He doesn’t have a single amazing trait, but he plays the game well and at a consistent level.

He has also done some of his best work with a good free safety next to him. He had Jessie Bates with him in Cincinnati and Marcus Maye in New Orleans. You don’t want Bell to be your only guy in the safety room as he was last year in Carolina. Instead, you want him as a compliment to an established starter.

The only reason he isn’t the top name on this list is his age. 29 isn’t that old for a safety, but the end is nearer than the beginning of his career. That said, assuming his deal is fair, there is a lot to like about Bell, and his game would work well for this defense. Perhaps my demands of signing him will finally be heard this offseason.