The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed CB Darius Slay, previously of the Tremendous Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Right now’s aim is to see if the seasoned veteran’s play in protection has trailed off from a stats perspective, and what it may imply for the Metal Metropolis in 2025.
First, let’s take a look at targets and Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) protection grades:
Right here we see that Slay was effectively above the imply in each, in contrast to 2024 Steelers qualifiers. He was focused 87 occasions (T-Seventeenth most), and graded thirteenth finest in protection (75.5). These marks are out of 88 qualifying corners final season (min. 350 protection snaps). Thus far, it seems that Slay was a plus contributor to 1 the very best defenses within the NFL.
Joey Porter Jr. had the one different above the imply outcome, being focused an above common 79 occasions (thirty first). All Steelers qualifiers had effectively under common grades, together with the departed Donte Jackson, who Slay will hopefully be an improve over.
Subsequent, let’s dive into manufacturing. Listed here are catch charges allowed and compelled incompletions:
As soon as once more, Slay lands effectively above 2024 Pittsburgh CBs, and a lot of the league. His 17 compelled incompletions tied for probably the most within the NFL, together with a stellar 51.7 catch fee allowed that ranked third-best final 12 months. Being prime three in each is sort of spectacular, and an superior incontrovertible fact that illustrates his play hasn’t deteriorated (knocks on wooden).
This consists of the second most move breakups within the NFL, making life for opposing extensive receivers tougher than most at his place. For comparability, Porter had eight compelled incompletions, round league-average. Jackson had the very best completion fee allowed of 2024 Steelers, however was unable to drive incompletions.
A hope for Slay in 2025 will hopefully be cashing in on interceptions, with only one within the common/postseason. Jackson had 5 INTs, rating fourth within the NFL final 12 months. This might be icing on the cake for Slay, who was clearly the higher protection nook in any other case.
Another necessary stat I checked out was tackling. Listed here are protection tackles and missed deal with charges:
As soon as once more, Slay lands above the imply in each. His 49 protection tackles tied for 14th with just a few gamers, together with Porter. Seeing all three present Steelers land on the highest proper is encouraging, after enduring the missed tackles from Pittsburgh’s protection final 12 months.
This included Jackson, who lands on the intense decrease left of the visible, one of many worst high quality/amount tacklers in 2024. Whereas decrease alternatives didn’t qualify him, Cory Trice Jr. additionally was a optimistic on this regard, with no missed tackles in protection final season.
So, the Steelers have refreshingly added a seasoned veteran to the cornerback room. Regardless of his years, Slay’s protection play has been getting older like high quality wine. This aligns with our Alex Kozora’s current Darius Slay Movie Room, encouragingly. Father time is undefeated, however Pittsburgh simply added a participant who will hopefully defy it as soon as once more and improve Pittsburgh’s protection protection in 2025.
