Even with the recent addition of Darnell Savage, Mike DeFabo believes the Steelers still need to add another veteran safety. But this seems rather to be an issue of quality, not quantity. Watching practice, he sees a heavy reliance on Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott, and not much to full back on. Especially with a two-high look, he says DB coach Jason Simmons confirmed they’ll use it frequently.
“Playing this way schematically means that DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker will be interchangeable”, DeFabo writes about the Steelers’ safety position. “While they both have the skill set to fit this scheme, the Steelers still should be looking to add some more depth to this position group”.
The Steelers, of course, could include Jalen Ramsey in that safety group, who started there most of last season. The thing is, they only did that out of necessity, and they want to keep him from being stuck there. But that is, presumably, why they brought in Darnell Savage, is it not? Even if so, DeFabo thinks it’s not enough.
Behind Brisker and Elliott—and Ramsey—at safety, the Steelers have 2025 college free agent Sebastian Castro and rookie sixth-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings, along with the long-time veteran Darnell Savage. First-year Jack Henderson is also on the roster, and others have position flexibility. But the likelihood is, it will come down to this trio. From what DeFabo has observed, though, it doesn’t look like they should stop there.
“Because Elliott might not yet be 100 percent, Sebastian Castro (a UDFA last year out of Iowa) got plenty of run with the first-team defense while filling in for the veteran. Unfortunately, he was in coverage on Wilson’s catch”, he wrote, referencing a long reception by Roman Wilson elsewhere noted in the article. “This is not to knock Castro; he could be a developmental depth piece who fits in further down the roster. Still, if the Steelers lose a safety, they need a stronger replacement, even with Darnell Savage finally on board officially”.
Now, the Steelers have brought in four veterans since the draft, so adding a veteran isn’t exactly an impossibility. But one of those veterans is Darnell Savage, and it’s not like there are a ton of others out there. Most of the notable remaining free agents are of the same ilk, in their 30s and past their primes. For perspective, Terrell Edmunds at 29 is one of the younger notable options. And, well, they have already tried Edmunds multiple times.
At this stage of the game, it seems the Steelers view Darnell Savage as their veteran reserve safety. I don’t see them adding another one, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t keep their options open. Jalen Ramsey is, of course, an option should it prove necessary. And the fact that they have more depth at cornerback—including Daylen Everette—helps there, too.
Recommended for you