Now that the 2021 season is over, bringing one more 12 months of disappointment, a fifth consecutive season with no postseason victories, it’s time to take inventory of the place the Pittsburgh Steelers stand. Particularly, the place Steelers gamers stand individually primarily based on what we’ve got seen and are seeing over the course of the season and into the offseason because it performs out. We can even be reviewing gamers primarily based on their earlier season and their prospects for the long run. A inventory analysis can take a few completely different approaches and I’ll attempt to clarify my reasoning. In some circumstances, it will likely be primarily based on extra long-term developments. In different cases, it will likely be a direct response to one thing that simply occurred. Due to this, we are able to and can see a participant greater than as soon as over the course of the season as we transfer ahead.
Participant: OL James Daniels
Inventory Worth: Bought
Reasoning: The Steelers formally signed former Bears beginning offensive lineman James Daniels two a three-year, $26.5 million contract earlier this week of their efforts to enhance their safety upfront.
Three years and $26.5 million could not sound like all that a lot from the angle of NFL unrestricted free company, however it’s a vital contract for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whereas it doesn’t account for cap inflation, it represents each the biggest complete worth and the biggest per-year common for a contract the Steelers have ever given to an outdoor unrestricted free agent of their historical past, besting the three-year, $25.5 million contract for cornerback Steven Nelson in 2019.
Beforehand, security Mike Mitchell’s five-year, $25 million contract was the file for the biggest complete worth of an unrestricted free agent contract. It’s becoming that the file now belongs to an offensive lineman, nevertheless through the staff’s time of transition.
James Daniels can be a plug-and-play starter, although the place, we’re not fairly positive. It could possibly be at both left or proper guard, or at middle. The 24-year-old is an thrilling signing, as a result of he nonetheless has the chance to develop considerably.
The previous second-round draft choose of the Chicago Bears in 2018 has began 48 of 54 profession video games, together with 17 final season. He missed a lot of the 2020 season as a consequence of a pectoral damage, however that’s the solely season through which he has missed a sport to this point.
He’s now essentially the most skilled participant alongside the offensive line with Trai Turner unlikely to be introduced again. He pairs with one other free agent signing, Mason Cole, as doubtless two of the Steelers’ three inside starters, with the ultimate spot presumably coming all the way down to Kendrick Inexperienced, Kevin Dotson, or J.C. Hassenauer—or doubtlessly a rookie draft choose.
Daniels, nevertheless, is the surest factor inside that group, and is instantly their greatest offensive lineman. Not that that’s a lot of a boast, however I believe that he’ll begin to obtain extra nationwide recognition now that he’s on a extra seen staff.
