Grading every external free agent signing for the Steelers so far

DeShon Elliott free agency grade: A-

Even with Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee under contract to begin the offseason, we knew this team needed to upgrade the safety position. The Steelers wasted no time in releasing Neal to save money for free agency. With part of this savings, Pittsburgh invested in veteran safety, DeShon Elliott.

Elliott wasn't the flashiest name on the market with players like Justin Simmons and Cameron Kurl sitting in free agency at the time, but this is a sneaky-good addition for the Steelers. Elliott doesn't have much ball production in his career. Since coming into the league in 2018, he has managed to record just 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles in 57 games.

Injuries have also been an issue, as Elliott has suffered multiple season-ending in his football career. When you get past these things, however, you have a quality football player with excellent size and tackling ability. Elliott is impressive when coming downhill and defending the run.

In many ways, Elliott is like a better version of what the Steelers had in Terrell Edmunds from 2018 to 2022. Elliott isn't going to wow fans with splash play ability in the secondary, but, as long as he stays healthy, he will be an incredibly reliable player and an upgrade over anything the Steelers have had next to Minkah Fitzpatrick at the safety position.

At just $3 million per season on a two-year, $6 million contract, this could be a great signing for the Steelers. Elliott should be an awesome fit on Pittsburgh's defense and should give Fitzpatrick the freedom to do what he does best in the secondary.