2023 Steelers Post-Draft Roster Review: The Safeties
The major events of the 2023 NFL offseason are now complete. With the free agency period and the NFL Draft now behind us, we look ahead at how the Steelers roster has molded from the end of last season until now, and evaluate those changes heading toward training camp, the preseason, and the regular season.
End of Season Depth Chart
Offseason Review
The Steelers gambled on whether or not to bring back former first round pick Terrell Edmunds, who has manned the strong safety position for the team over the last five seasons. Edmunds, who didn’t see much interest in the first couple of weeks of free agency, had revisited the team but ultimately decided to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
This led to speculation that the Steelers could draft a safety in the upcoming NFL Draft, however, the team opted to add depth with veteran safety/linebacker Keanu Neal. There’s also some speculation that aging CB Patrick Peterson, who was also signed this offseason, could transition to the safety position as well.
Post-Draft Position Roster
- Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Damontae Kazee
- Keanu Neal
- Tre Norwood
- Miles Killebrew
- Elijah Riley
Position Review
Obviously, the position is fortified by one of the best in the game with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick was once again named as an NFL First-Team All-Pro last season after picking off six passes and scoring a defensive touchdown during the 2022 season. He is signed through 2026, and will likely be paired with Damontae Kazee, a veteran who came into his own after starting last year on Injured Reserve. Kazee had two interceptions of his own in nine appearances.
The depth behind those two remains a mystery, though newly added Neal should factor into defensive back heavy subpackages and could play either role behind Fitzpatrick and Kazee.
Third-year pro Tre Norwood continues to impress as a former seventh round pick, and Elijah Riley, who was called up from the practice squad last season, sticks around to perhaps compete for a roster spot as he develops with the team.
Miles Killebrew sees little action playing defense, but remains a key component to the Steelers special teams unit.
Overall, the safeties should be at least on par with past groups and if Neal can show he still has the potential of his former first round draft selection pedigree, this entire corps could overachieve their offseason expectations.
