The Pittsburgh Steelers just signed defensive back Desmond King who was most recently with the Houston Texans. Now a former Steelers defender took to the air to express his excitement over everything that King brings to the table. He believes that the Texans made a big mistake letting him go and he sees him as someone who is on the rise.
Zach Bolinger | AP
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Desmond King from the Houston Texans.
King is now in his seventh season in the NFL. He played college football for the University of Iowa and was an impactful player. He started at defensive back while he was there and also became the team's punt and kick returner. After his junior year, he was given the Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the best defensive back in college football that year. Many believed that he should have gone out for the NFL Draft after that junior year, but he made the decision to return to college for a fourth season and earn his degree. He was named a First Team All-Big Ten and a 2016 AP Second Team All-American.
He was initially expected to be an early-round draft pick in 2017, but instead, he was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round. He was named the starting nickelback and fourth on the depth chart at cornerback. During his second season in Los Angeles, he helped them defeat the Steelers by returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and made 10 combined tackles.
In 2020, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick. Then in 2021, he signed with the Texans where he started and made a career-high 93 tackles, with six passes deflected and three interceptions during the season. The Texans released him as a part of their final 2023 roster cuts and the Steelers were lucky enough to snatch him up.
Steelers' Arthur Moats Feels Pittsburgh Hit The Jackpot With Desmond King
Arthur Moats was a linebacker for the Steelers and now hosts a podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience. On a recent show, he was touting King's abilities as rumors began to swirl that he might find himself in the Steel City. He sees King's flexibility as a huge asset, and he can even play safety in a pinch.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers former linebacker Arthur Moats remembers his time during training camp.
Moats' co-host Deke said that he wonders why he is available if he is so good. He added that Texans fans were upset about the move, not understanding why the Texans would release him when he sees so much potential in him.
"He is interesting to me, he's definitely one of them dudes I would consider kicking the tires on. Mostly because he is a veteran dude that has been in the league making plays already. To me that matters, I would much rather take the chance on the veteran that has played and made plays, versus the young guy we don't know anything about."
There are a lot of young players, according to Moats, that "flash" in college, but then don't pan out in the pros. He added that not every player can be like Patrick Peterson, destined to be in the Hall of Fame. Some of your veteran signings are just solid depth. That solid depth is critical to being able to win games. After the signing was officially announced, Moats reconfirmed how excited he was about this pickup.
"Y'all know I'm excited about this one! We were interested in him because of what he brings to the table as a slot corner and as an outside corner - super versatile player. He has started multiple games in this league and has had success at multiple spots in this league."
King has improved each season he has been in the NFL. Moats added that King was an All-Pro in 2018 and displayed a lot of production. He expressed again how he is surprised that the Texans released him. No clue what they are doing said Moats, but feels it doesn't matter because it helps the Steelers.
"I do feel like he's gonna be able to come in here and definitely push to get time early in that slot based on what he's already done in this league and based on the guys that we currently have in Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley."
Moats said this shouldn't be a knock on either Chandon Sullivan or Elijah Riley who had a spectacular preseason, especially Riley. In his opinion, King just comes in with more NFL experience and proven productivity. He sees this as a big boost to the Steelers' secondary.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers defensive back Elijah Riley makes a tackle during the team's 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
What do you think about the King signing? Do you agree with Moats? How do you feel the Steelers did on setting up the secondary for 2023? Click to comment below.
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