The Steelers signed a number of players in free agency a year ago. Who was their best pickup heading into 2022?
All signs point to offensive guard James Daniels, who allowed zero sacks this past season.
King James @jamsdans pic.twitter.com/5fbRmvTUt4
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 18, 2023
Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5 million contract with Pittsburgh after spending the first four years of his career in Chicago.
He was one of only five offensive linemen in the league to play at least 600 pass-blocking snaps and not allow a single sack.
Steelers guard James Daniels was one of only five OL to play at least 600 pass blocking snaps and not allow a single sack, per SIS.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) February 8, 2023
What a great free-agent pickup Daniels was.
The Steelers have started to put an emphasis on addressing the offensive line, and it's beginning to pay off. Daniels was the only Steeler to not allow sack, but the rest of the line combined for just 16 sacks allowed.
The team will likely add to the line again this offseason, but it has one of its pieces locked in. The former 2018 second-round pick looks like a steal for Pittsburgh a year in, and he's still just 25 years old.
There's less than a month until free agency begins once again, and the Steelers will do their best to find this year's Daniels in order to get back into contention in the AFC North.
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