The Steelers continue to bring in new faces on defense. Pittsburgh has agreed to a two-year, $6MM deal with safety DeShon Elliott, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reports. 
Elliott entered the league with Baltimore in 2018, establishing himself as a starter during the final two seasons of his rookie contract. After one-year stints in Detroit and Miami, the 26-year-old will now join linebacker Patrick Queen as an ex-Raven making the move to Pittsburgh. Elliott played on one-year accords with the Lions and Dolphins, so this pact will offer slightly more security.
Injuries marred much of Elliott’s Ravens tenure, but he has managed to remain relatively healthy over the past two seasons. The Texas alum played 14 games in 2022, followed by 15 last season. Across that span, he recorded a pair of interceptions and 10 pass deflections while starting all but two games. Known best for his physicality, Elliott has made 178 tackles over the past two years (and 287 total in 57 contests), and he will look to remain productive in that area with Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick in place as a locked-in safety starter. Keanu Neal saw significant playing time last year, but he was released one week ago. With fellow veteran Damontae Kazee under contract for only one more year, the position was one in need of an addition either via free agency or the draft this offseason. Elliott will at least be able to provide experienced depth while playing in three-safety looks, or he could beat out Kazee for a starting role ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Pittsburgh ranked 17th against the pass last season, and while Elliott has not drawn stellar PFF reviews in coverage, he has remained consistent in that regard during his career. The former sixth-rounder earned an overall rating of 72.6 last season, the highest mark of his career. Replicating that success would be a welcomed development for the Steelers as they continue to re-shape areas of their defense.
I just don’t get it. 140.8 QBR against.
last 2 years he’s been targeted at 77 times and gave up 58 receptions…..
Bargain hunting like Nutting.
He will be down in the box as the hybrid S/LB
Yup stack the box with a guy who had 1 TFL last year. If you want to stack the box with a S, get Adams. Not this loser.
Considering the current state of the DL, the RB is already going to be past the LOS anyway. Also, Adams would likely cost 6 million for 1 year and I think he’s fairly washed at this point.
And Elliot isn’t? Lol they both suck and that’s my point. Cop out move for Bob Nutting I mean Art Rooney.
He’s absolutely not a box safety, but as part of a safety group for $3 million, he’s a good piece to have.
The cost is fine. Middling safeties are cheap. With the Cap & Minkah and their LB Corps they can’t afford a stud at SS. Can’t spend cap room you don’t have, Buckaroo.
The problem is the player. I just don’t think he’s very good. $3M at Safety should go further, and likely would have if they waited.
He’s a bum that’s the issue.
Pretty solid addition. He showed some skills as a Raven but was on a deep defense.
@MyComment is right in stating that they are addressing their secondary like something from the Pirates’ owner Bob Nutting playbook. I get that they have Minkah back there but again, if the idea is for him to play a monster back/rover style ala Troy Polamalu, they need some real coverage guys back there
Porter is still a work in progress and we can only hope Trice comes back at full blast and can build upon his potential.
Not so sure about these last two guys they’ve brought on board but so be it
Still need to shore up both lines and get a wideout or two.
It’s a salary cap sport. They have finite space and a bunch of needs. They signed a solid player to a modest price. I really don’t see the crime here. Yes, they still have work to do, but the offseason is just getting started. It’s not like they were going to sign McKinney.
I don’t have a problem with the cost — $3M for a safety these days gets you a fringe starter. I more question whether he is “solid” or even an upgrade on Neal & Rowe & Thompson
Yep, you’re right of course. Have to live within a budget and have to project where the priority lies. @Mr.Goodkat (below) lists some names that played well that I’d largely forgotten about.
I’m guessing secondary isn’t as big a need as say, the lines