The newest Steeler could end up flaming out, according to one analyst
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of headlines all offseason. They’ve made several noteworthy trades, including trading for DK Metcalf in March and then trading away George Pickens in May. They completed the trifecta by trading All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith.
The trade now thrusts others into positions of higher expectations, one of those players being safety Juan Thornhill. The Steelers signed the former Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns safety this offseason, with the original thought being he’d be the No. 3 safety. Now, however, he could find himself as the Week 1 starter. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report labels the veteran as the biggest bust candidate for the Steelers.
“While Fitzpatrick may disappoint for the Dolphins, that doesn’t mean the Steelers will find him easy to replace,” Knox writes. “The top candidate to take over Fitzpatrick’s role will be free-agent addition Juan Thornhill. He’s unlikely, however, to play up to Fitzpatrick’s Pro Bowl level. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and has allowed an opposing passer rating above 100.0 in five straight seasons.”
Thornhill is coming off a respectable season with the Browns. Though he missed six games, he was still given a PFF grade of 65.5 and a coverage grade of 64.5, both of which ranked in the upper half of qualified safeties. Will he be as good as a prime Minkah Fitzpatrick? Almost certainly not. Plus, the Steelers could bring in another free agent, such as Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon. Regardless, Thornhill can be a fine starter, especially with the talent around him.