One day after losing veteran cornerback Luq Barcoo, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Grayland Arnold to provide cornerback depth.
On June 4, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo announced that the Steelers have added Arnold to their 90-man roster.
“Former Eagles and Texans S Grayland Arnold is signing with the Steelers, per agents,” Garafolo reported on X (previously Twitter).
Arnold started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He spent the past three seasons with the Houston Texans.
In 2023, he had a career-high 18 combined tackles and one forced fumble in 8 games. Arnold played 143 defensive snaps last season, more than he did in the first three years of his career combined.
Arnold has dressed for 26 NFL games over his career. He’s made 33 total tackles, including two for loss, one pass defence, and one forced fumble.
Prior to the 2020 NFL draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called Arnold a “instinctive nickel cornerback prospect.”
“Arnold has man-cover athleticism with good route anticipation but lacks the big closing burst to quickly close ground after separation,” Zierlein stated. “He’s more impactful in smaller spaces where his instincts and quarterback awareness allow him to shade and squeeze throwing lanes.”
Steelers sign cornerback Grayland Arnold.
The Steelers effectively traded seasoned cornerbacks who were undrafted free agents in 2020. However, Arnold has played in the regular season more recently than Barcoo.
While Arnold has dressed for at least four games in each of his career seasons, Barcoo has not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2020.
Arnold also possesses some adaptability. Last season, he played 27 of his 143 defensive snaps at safety, according to Pro Football Focus.
Arnold was also a member of the Texans special teams in 2023. He not only returned kickoffs and punts, but also covered them and was on the field goal/extra point block team.
Arnold returned 14 punts for Baylor, averaging 11.5 yards per return. In 2019, he returned punts for an average of 12.4 yards and one score.
Arnold led the Baylor defence with six interceptions and two pass defences in 2019. He had 106 total tackles in 30 games throughout his four-year college career, including 7.5 for loss. Arnold also has 13 pass defences, 7 interceptions, 1 sack, and one fumble recovery.
Steelers’ Cornerback Depth Changes During OTAs
On June 3, the Steelers dismissed Barcoo due to an injury, making way for wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. The wide receiver went undrafted last year and spent his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, once Arnold’s signing is official, the Steelers will have 11 cornerbacks on their roster.
During the first week of free agency, Pittsburgh acquired veteran Donte Jackson via trade. He is anticipated to start opposite Joey Porter Jr., who had a strong rookie season in 2023.
However, the Steelers are relying on unknown commodities to fill gaps behind those two anticipated starters.
Pittsburgh selected Texas cornerback Ryan Watts in the sixth round of the NFL draft and signed Beanie Bishop Jr. as an undrafted free agent. The team is also optimistic about Cory Trice Jr., a 2023 seventh-round pick who missed the entire season last year due to a damaged ACL.
Darius Rush is another talented cornerback who should improve during his second season this autumn. Rush, an Indianapolis Colts draft pick, played in three games for the Steelers during his rookie season last year.
Arnold will most likely fight with Rush, Bishop, and Josiah Scott for nickel cornerback playing time.
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