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The Steelers at the moment have 4 former first-round picks on their protection, and it seems like that quantity is about to extend. Pittsburgh is near signing former Pro Bowl security Keanu Neal, in line with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The seventeenth general choose within the 2016 NFL Draft, Neal pressured 5 fumbles as a rookie whereas serving to the Falcons attain the Super Bowl that season. He was named to his first Pro Bowl the next season after forcing three fumbles and making 116 tackles. Neal spent the primary 5 seasons of his profession in Atlanta earlier than spending one yr apiece in Dallas and Tampa. A component-time starter with the Buccaneers, Neal had one interception and 63 tackles throughout his solely season with Tampa Bay.
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Neal will be part of a Steelers secondary that can look considerably totally different in 2023 than it did in 2022. Pittsburgh parted with Cam Sutton this offseason and changed him with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson. Peterson, nonetheless, could also be moved from cornerback to free security whereas permitting Minkah Fitzpatrick to maneuver to robust security, the place that was previously manned by former first-round choose Terrell Edmunds. Edmunds signed with the Eagles this month after turning down Pittsburgh’s provide.
It’s been a busy month for the Steelers, who for a second straight offseason have used free company to bolster an ever-improving offensive line. One of this yr’s free agent signings, former Eagle Isaac Seumalo, is predicted to compete for Pittsburgh’s beginning left guard place in opposition to Kevin Dotson.
The Steelers additionally aggressively addressed inside linebacker by signing veterans Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. Pittsburgh made a splash by signing Peterson, because the Steelers’ protection now has 4 former first-round picks in its beginning lineup. Among the crew’s higher in-house free company signings was defensive finish Larry Ogunjobi, who performed effectively underneath a one-year deal final season.
Nose deal with and receiver are nonetheless areas the Steelers want to handle this offseason. Bud Dupree, who visited the Steelers on Thursday, will fill Pittsburgh’s present void at backup move rusher if the previous first-round choose re-signs with the Steelers.
