5 most underrated players on the Steelers 2023 roster

  • Under-the-radar guards deserve recognition
  • A veteran defensive back could shine in the spotlight
Pittsburgh Steelers, James Daniels
Pittsburgh Steelers, James Daniels | Justin Casterline/GettyImages
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3. S Damontae Kazee

Many fans probably view Damontae Kazee as just a journeyman safety who spent most of his 20s playing in Atlanta and then in Dallas. Though Kazee is a 30-year-old safety on his third NFL team, don't discredit him as being a good player. When healthy, Kazee has an innate ability to locate the football.

It's because of this that the Steelers may have felt comfortable enough to let Terrell Edmunds sign with the Eagles on a cheap deal during the 2023 free-agency period. In just 4 starts last season, Kazee recorded 2 interceptions. His play-making ability shouldn't come as a surprise either, as Kazee led the NFL in interceptions back in 2018 with 7 picks.

Kazee isn't the most complete safety in terms of his inconsistent play in the past, and his slight frame for the position (5'11', 190 lbs) causes him to get banged up frequently. For this veteran, it's about staying healthy, as we have seen the instincts and ball skills really pay off.

Like Heyward, Kazee didn't play enough snaps in 2022 to qualify for an overall grade (Kazee was on IR to begin the season), but if you prorate his 81.0 overall grade, it would have been good for the 6th-best among NFL safeties last season.

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