Ranking the Steelers offseason acquisitions by likely impact in 2025
The Steelers have acquired a host of players through trades and free agent signings over the past two weeks. In this article, I rank the acquisitions by the impact they’re likely to make on the field in 2025.
For the sake of clarity, I am not including players they have re-signed. This includes Jaylen Warren, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Ryan McCollum, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek. I’m only ranking players they’ve brought in from other organizations.
1. Mason Rudolph, QB*
The asterisk by Rudolph’s name is conditional. If he’s the starting quarterback next season, he’ll have the greatest impact of the new arrivals. If he’s the back-up, he’ll tumble down the list. Until Aaron Rodgers makes a decision, or the Steelers make another move, we’re operating under the assumption that Rudolph is QB1.
I evaluated Rudolph in the article below. I am optimistic he can orchestrate an offense that was better than the one that scored 17 points or less in their final five games last season. How much better depends on how consistently Rudolph can play well. Rudolph has been up-and-down when given an opportunity. He had a strong stretch as Pittsburgh’s starter to close the 2023 regular season, but played poorly in their playoff game in Buffalo. His performance in Tennessee last season was mediocre at best.
Rolling with Rudolph in 2025 wouldn’t be a terrible decision by the Steelers. Nor would it be ideal. This is simply where the team finds itself, with limited options at the most important position in the sport.
How would the Steelers fare with Mason Rudolph at QB?
2. D.K. Metcalf, WR
Rudolph may ultimately have the biggest impact, but Metcalf is without question the best new acquisition. He’s averaged 73 receptions, 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per year since breaking into the league in 2019. Metcalf had some good receiving partners in Seattle, including Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But his partner in Pittsburgh, George Pickens, will take more heat off of him than either of those players. That could create opportunities for Metcalf he hasn’t often seen. Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation may ultimately impact Metcalf’s production, but chances are he’ll compile numbers on par with his career averages no matter who’s throwing the football.
3. Darius Slay, CB
“Big Play” Slay is 34 years old and has been in the league for 12 years. He’s also been to the Super Bowl twice in the last three seasons, winning it this past February with the Philadelphia Eagles. That experience could be invaluable as he serves as a mentor for Joey Porter Jr, who could use a veteran of Slay’s pedigree from whom to learn.
Slay should become the starting corner opposite Porter, giving Pittsburgh its best corner combo since Ike Taylor and William Gay over a decade ago. Slay is on a one-year deal, and at this point that may be all he has left in him. But his 18 passes defensed last season (including the playoffs) were the third-most of his career, suggesting he can still play the position at a high level. Slay will gamble and get beat at times, but his versatility and dependability make him a valuable acquisition.
Steelers fans, as we await a decision on the team’s QB next season, let’s take a moment to applaud the (reported) acquisition of Darius Slay. Veteran CB with scheme versatility, toughness, and a nose for big-plays who will provide an upgrade opposite Joey Porter Jr.
I love this… pic.twitter.com/izmgnv15r2
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) March 12, 2025
4. Juan Thornhill, S
Ditto for Thornhill, the former Cleveland Brown whom the Steelers picked up on waivers on Monday. Thornhill, 29, is younger than Slay, but was a starter on three Kansas City teams that went to the Super Bowl. He demonstrated in Cleveland last season that he remains a good single-high safety who can cover ground and tackle. Thornhill’s ability to play centerfield should free up Minkah Fitzpatrick to move around more freely, which could restore some of his play-making ability that was sapped last season by relegating Fitzpatrick to the deep safety role. Thornhill’s tackling will give Pittsburgh three players — Thornhill, Fitzpatrick, and DeShon Elliott — who excel at that skill on the back end. His signing gives Pittsburgh an ability to play more three-safety looks, a scheme that has been good to them in recent seasons.
Just watched the PIT-CLE snow game from Week 12 last season. New Steelers safety Juan Thornhill was really impressive as a run defender for the Browns.
Thornhill is #1 in all of these clips. He lines up as a single-high safety or rotates into the single-high position on most of… pic.twitter.com/4mYUcAT44T
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) March 18, 2025
5. Kenneth Gainwell, RB
Gainwell gives Pittsburgh something it has lacked for years — a shifty back who can make defenders miss in space and turn simple swing passes into chunk plays. For that reason alone, he’s an important signing. I’m not sure how many touches Gainwell will get each game. Jaylen Warren is likely to be RB1, and the Steelers will probably spend an early draft pick on one of the backs in a deep rookie crop. But Gainwell has the potential to be a valuable role player who could provide instant offense when he enters a game.
6. Daniel Ekuale, DT
Ekuale started 16 games in New England last year, where he was a run-stuffing, two-gapping three-tech. He can slide over and play on the nose as well. He’s a different type of player than the man he’s likely to replace, Larry Ogunjobi. Ogunjobi was quicker and more of a penetrator, whereas Ekuale is a fire-plug who commands double teams and keeps blockers from climbing to linebackers. Given the ability of Pittsburgh’s backers (Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb) to pursue the football, this is a scheme-appropriate skill. Ekuale may wind up a rotational player, with the Steelers set to add talent to the defensive line in the draft. But he’s a solid pickup who should execute his role well.
7. Brandin Echols, CB
Echols has value as a versatile corner who can play both inside and outside. Echols is not big (5’10-180) but he’s a sure tackler who brings the requisite toughness the Steelers like in their corners. He also has five career interceptions and a pair of pick-sixes, so he’s capable of making splash plays. Look for Echols to challenge Beanie Bishop for the team’s primary slot role when the Steelers opt for a third corner instead of a third safety. He’s also a good gunner on special teams, and provides value in that role as well.
8. Malik Harrison, LB
Harrison is currently listed as the team’s starting Buck linebacker on their depth chart. I have a hard time seeing him hold off the likes of Wilson and Holcomb for regular reps, though. Harrison is limited in coverage and appears to be a run-down backer only. But, like Echols, he’s a solid special teams player and could make his most impactful contributions in that role. If Harrison can give Pittsburgh what they had in Elandon Roberts at the Buck, and contribute on special teams, his value will rise.
9. Donald Parham Jr, TE
Parham is 6’8 with long arms and good leaping ability. That makes him different from Pittsburgh’s other tight ends — Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington — who are big themselves, but more powerfully so. Parham was on Denver’s practice squad last season and isn’t likely to get reps as a regular-down player. He could become an option in the red zone, though. Parham had 11 touchdown catches in four seasons with the Chargers, so the potential exists for him to add value there.
For more of my work, follow me on Twitter @KTSmithFFSN, and tune into my podcast “The Call Sheet Daily” every Monday-Friday at 10 AM.
A lot of guys, but not a lot of dudes.
Good stuff, couple of comments:
1) Kevin wrote: For the sake of clarity, I am not including players they have re-signed. This includes Jaylen Warren, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Ryan McCollum, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek. I’m only ranking players they’ve brought in from other organizations.
I get it for the other guys, but how can we not heap praises on the preeminent Steelers signing this offseason – Ben “Big Skow” Skowronek. I’m calling it now, Big Skow for team MVP.
2) Hoping Slay can give more of a Joe Haden vibe than a Patrick Peterson vibe. Haden gave the Steelers a few pretty good seasons at the back end of his career. Of course, he was younger than Slay when he came over, but some guys can defy the age a little better and also capitilize on their experience to make up the difference.
3) Gainwell has an injury history that screams limit his carries and make them count. I’d almost like to see the Steeler sign Dobbins as another back so he and Gainwell can be hedges against the other getting injured. If they are not drafting a back early, that’s the path I’d go. Then take a late round or UDF RB and see if they can repeat the Warren success.
4) Lots of signings for the D who are expected to be contributors, not so much for the O, especially guys that can come in and be leaders. Najee just remarked on this lack of leadership on the offense as something that hampered it during his years, particularly after Ben left. Feel like that could be a limiting factor again, especially without an experienced QB. Seems like there is still no plan for what they want to do on the offensive side. A little dissapointed there. Smith is in his 2nd year. This is where he needs to be making an impact.
*On “Big Skow”, mostly being facetious there, but I do really like the effort he gave last year and hope they expand his role. And come on, Big Skow, best nickname assigned by random fan that nobody else knows or uses. But they will, rest assurd, they will.
I’m a Big Skow fan! Love his toughness and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make the team better. he’s one of those glue guys whose value lies beyond his immediate production.
I also think you’re right about the identity of the offense. That’s another one of the drawbacks of not having a franchise QB in place. There’s no leader in the huddle. I don’t know if Rudolph can be that guy. But this is a problem for the Steelers.
This is a great capture of the current free agent and other pickups by our Steelers this offseason Kevin! Thank you.
In your opinion, does Slay eliminate the need for drafting or looking for a CB in our first couple of picks? Let’s say in rounds 1, 2 or 3? I know we don’t currently have a 2nd, but if we should reacquire one in some way — whether through trade or trading down in the 1st.
I don’t think Slay eliminates the need to draft a corner high. But I think it pushes it down the priority list. If a guy they really liked fell to them, I think they’d take a corner. Maybe not in Round 1, but in Round 3 for sure. The corner room is thin after Slay, and Slay is 34. So taking a corner early wouldn’t be a shock.
They have some other big needs, too, so I’ll be surprised if the Steelers don’t make some moves to try to acquire more draft picks. It seems like an ideal year to trade back in Round 1 and try to pick up a late 2nd or 3rd.
Based on where they are today, I see their draft needs as DL, RB, CB, QB. The order in which they’ll address those spots is the intrigue…
Thanks Kevin! The reason I ask is 1) I know it WAS a need, but I wondered if you thought this acquisition pushed it way down; and 2) in a couple of the latest mock drafts I’ve done (which as a non college football watcher is the primary way I learn about potential picks while reading draft profiles as I work through them), Michigan CB Will Johnson has fallen to 21. It piqued my interest in what you thought. So, thank you.
Will Johnson is a Steeler. Physical, tough, hard-nosed, tackles, can play a bunch of different coverages. I think whether they pick him at 21 depends on who else is there, and how they’ve prioritized needs (if a DT they love is also there, I think they’d take the DT. Andy Weidl loves big guys). They might take Johnson over a RB at 21 though, and figure it’s a deep draft for RBs so they can get a good one later.
Bottom line — if the Steelers land Johnson, that’s a good thing.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I hope TE Danald Parham Jr get to used a lot along side both Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth I was shocked about getting D.K. Metcalf and paying him all that money I hope Steelers Omar Khan is still going to sign Nick Chubb and trading George Pickens
Parham and Washington split wide on the goal line. 6’8 and 6’7. Why not?