Garafolo: Steelers Are Now Signing 2019 2nd Round Pick To Add To Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers may still have the most expensive defense in the NFL, but that's obviously not enough, considering how much they struggled after the bye week in 2024. They still have plenty of needs all over the place, whether it's depth in certain areas, or full-time starters like at defensive tackle. The end of the 2023 season proved that there's no such thing as too much depth, as they were going to practice squad players and formerly retired linebackers to start games and make key plays all around.

With that in mind, it makes sense why the Steelers keep adding any piece they can. This time, they officially signed Juan Thornhill, who most recently played for the Cleveland Browns. 

Thornhill has recently fit the mold of a DeShon Elliott type safety: primary strength is tackling and helping with the run; pass defense is secondary, but still a strength. He only had four passes defended combined in each of his two seasons with the Browns, along with over 100 combined tackles in that same time frame.

Thornhill has some versatility in the back end, so while he most likely will be a depth player, he can rotate in for the starters as needed. He is a better fit as a strong safety, but he has shown his ability to play centerfield as a free safety, especially during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs early on in his career. 

Steelers' Safety Plans

The Steelers did not re-sign Damontae Kazee, which opened up a hole at the dime safety position. After struggling with injuries over the previous two seasons, slotting into that role could be exactly what Thornhill needs to get back on track: sit back, come up and make plays when needed, and rotate in for either Elliott or Minkah Fitzpatrick when needed.

Miles Killebrew may be a great special teamer, but he rarely ever plays defense, as that is his main deficiency. Thornhill will immediately leapfrog him on the depth chart. The two could always play together on special teams, as the newest Steeler can help with open-field tackles, even though he has not played in that role very often. 

There have been questions on if the Steelers' latest signings in Brandin Echols and Darius Slay would get the Patrick Peterson treatment: acting as a depth safety to help extend their careers. Bringing in Thornhill makes that possibility a lot less likely, as Echols will stick to the slot and Slay will most likely hang around on the outside. 

Either way, the Steelers need all the help they can get. If they are truly set on playing a very physical brand of defense, then they have to have more quality players at each position than starters. Injuries are just a part of the game unfortunately. You strive for the best and prepare for the worst, and that's exactly what the Steelers' front office has been doing, especially on defense.

Either way, the Steelers get quality depth for cheap to continue to bolster their defense. The front office has spent a lot of time and resources to fix the secondary and make sure they have no excuses in that regard this time around. Fitzpatrick, Elliott, and Thornhill should be a great core to help slow down these big plays that they keep allowing. They still have a lot of moves to make, but they should be done with that part of the unit for now.

What do you think about the Steelers signing Thornhill, as well as how he will be deployed in this defense along with the rest of the secondary? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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