The Pittsburgh Steelers came to terms with two more free agents on March 20.
The first was reported by KPRC 2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson, who stated: “Steelers re-signed edge Jeremiah Moon to one-year contract, per a league source @KPRC2. Deal negotiated by Harold Lewis, Ezra Thompson and Chad Berger of @NSAFootball.”
Moon entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, but he was not tendered by the Steelers. Now, he returns anyway — likely on a salary more in line with the veteran minimum.
The second Pittsburgh reunion was announced by the Steelers themselves, who revealed that “we have signed CB James Pierre to a one-year contract.”
Pierre is another staff favorite, like Moon, except he entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Both Pierre and Moon provide a key impact on special teams, while also serving as depth on the defensive side.
Steelers’ Jeremiah Moon & James Pierre Were Pittsburgh’s 2 Highest Graded Core Special Teamers in 2024
Moon and Pierre weren’t just core special teamers for the Steelers, they were the two most impactful core special teamers according to Pro Football Focus.
Outside of defensive lineman Dean Lowry, who only logged 30 special teams snaps, Moon and Pierre shared the No. 1 ranking for all Pittsburgh special teamers in terms of PFF grade, at an accumulative 85.2 apiece.
They also each contributed one of the higher snap counts in this department, ranking fifth and sixth in total ST snaps behind Connor Heyward, Miles Killebrew, Payton Wilson and Mark Robinson.
Over 16 appearances, Pierre took part in 272 special teams snaps, providing an impact on five different ST units — kick return, kick return coverage, punt return, punt return coverage and field goal block. Moon was utilized on the same five units but only appeared in 240 ST snaps over 14 games.
Pierre was credited with a team-leading 8 solo special teams tackles (tied with Heyward), as well as 3 assisted tackles, 1 penalty and zero missed tackles. Moon was not far behind with 6 solo ST tackles and 1 assisted tackle, although he did miss 1 tackle.
On defense, Pierre added 11 solo tackles (with 1 missed tackle) and 2 key defensive “stops.” Opposing quarterbacks were 9-of-14 when targeting the cornerback, with 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and a passer rating of 97.3.
Moon was less active defensively with 2 quarterback pressures, 1 tackle and a passer rating against of 62.5.
Steelers Continue to Solidify Depth at Each Level on Defense
The Pittsburgh defense is already built to last as of March 20, with 39 players under contract and depth at each level. After the return of Pierre and Moon, the Steelers now have eight cornerbacks and eight outside linebackers, and they already had six inside linebackers, seven safeties and 10 defensive linemen.
That’s not to say that any of these units cannot still improve, but they have plenty of injury insurance and competition after the early waves of free agency.
According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, the greatest defensive need after free agency is defensive line. The Pittsburgh beat writer feels the Steelers could target a DL upgrade as early as round one of the NFL draft.
“Before free agency, the Steelers’ top draft priorities were at defensive tackle, wide receiver, running back and (possibly) quarterback,” DeFabo noted on March 20. “If defensive tackle wasn’t already atop that list two weeks ago, it sure is now.”
“The trade for DK Metcalf has diminished the Steelers’ need at receiver — at least in the short term. Meanwhile, the glaring hole on the defensive front has only grown,” DeFabo reasoned. “The Steelers, wisely, cut Larry Ogunjobi to save $7 million against the cap. They also added former [New England] Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale and re-signed Isaiahh Loudermilk. Although those two players provide depth, both have been primarily role players.”
DeFabo also reminded that “the Steelers signed former [Minnesota] Viking and [Jacksonville] Jaguar Esezi Otomewo, who has just 179 career defensive snaps and falls even further down the depth chart.”
With all that in mind, Pittsburgh’s starting D-line could still use an upgrade, and that may come in the draft.
DeFabo suggested Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon and Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen as potential DL targets in round one.
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