Tag: Strong Safety

Steelers’ safety is ranked 1st by PFF in run defense

Steelers’ safety DeShon Elliott has been great through seven games of football. PFF has recognized him as the best run defending safety.

Pro Football Focus has decided to give Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott his flowers. The former Raven was acquired in free agency by Pittsburgh during the 2024 offseason and has made his presence felt immediately. While Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t had his usual success this season, struggling to record any splash plays, Elliott has played at an elite level thus far. 

PFF has an interesting reputation in Pittsburgh, as the polarizing grades of Steelers players have sometimes left a lot to be desired. However, Elliott is currently being graded by the organization as the best safety in the 2024 NFL season against the run. 

While many were aware of the talent Elliott possessed, no one could have truly predicted the impact the Pittsburgh strong safety would make when he signed his two-year, $6.0 million dollar contract back in March.

Elliott is a key component to this Steelers’ defense and why it has played at such an elite level in 2024, and will look to continue his dominance against the run when his team takes on the NY Giants in Monday Night Football, on October 28th at 8:15 PM EST.

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Broncos DB Kareem Jackson impressed by QB Russell Wilson’s mobility

“The mindset of covering for a couple [of] seconds is out the window” when Russell Wilson is the QB, says Broncos safety Kareem Jackson.

The trajectory of the Denver Broncos organization has been course-corrected.

That’s what happens when you acquire Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. A player that’s like a coach on the field, according to second-year RB Javonte Williams.

But it’s not just Williams with Wilson praise. Thirteen-year veteran defensive back Kareem Jackson is impressed with the newly-acquired quarterback as well.

“On Sunday, when you see a guy like that, it sucks,” Jackson said of going up against a mobile QB like Wilson. “To see him every day, it sucks. It kind of [makes me mad] sometimes. Seeing a guy like that, you can’t mimic that when you have to go play against guys like that on Sunday. When you see him on a day-to-day basis, you know he’s going to keep the play alive, and you know he’s going to make some off-schedule plays.

“He’s been doing it a lot out here, so for us, the mindset of covering for a couple [of] seconds is out the window. You have to stay latched on to your guy for a little bit longer.”

Jackson added Wilson is the toughest mobile QB he’s faced as well, saying, “‘Russ’ has been a tremendous talent in this league for a long time. That’s one of the things he does at a high level. To be able to see it on a day-to-day basis will make us better as a defense.”

The yin to Jackson’s yang, free safety Justin Simmons praised Wilson’s abilities earlier this offseason as well. Simmons said that he loves “the game within the game” that Wilson manufactures in practice.

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Safety Kareem Jackson talks Russell Wilson trade on ‘The Jim Rome Show’

“The entire building is excited,” Kareem Jackson said of the Broncos bringing in Russell Wilson.

Russell Wilson draws an audience.

Perks of being a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who was also a yard away from a second Vince Lombardi Trophy.

So, it makes sense that the football conglomerate is hopping on the Denver Broncos bandwagon. First, trading for Wilson was dubbed the best QB move of the offseason. Then, an NFL insider predicted an MVP season for the quarterback, while the Broncos’ Super Bowl odds shot up to the seventh-best after the trade. For reference, the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015.

Now, starting strong safety Kareem Jackson joined the party last week. Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, Jackson shared sentiments of those above, saying, “The entire building is excited [about ‘Russ’ joining the team]. Any time you get a guy like that under center for you, a guy that’s played in the biggest game, won the game [it’s great]. He’s been playing at a high level since he’s been in this league. And his experience and leadership, what he can do for a locker room with young guys for an offense [is incredible].”

Indeed, the Broncos’ offense is very young with every presumed skill position starter under the age of 25 save Courtland Sutton, 26, and Tim Patrick, 27. Wilson’s decade of experience in the league is paramount for those players to make the leap in their careers. And to actualize those seventh-best Super Bowl odds.

Speaking of those young players, third-year receiver Jerry Jeudy just had his charges dismissed on Tuesday. Giddy up, Broncos Country, it’s time to ride. Check out the clip of Jackson on The Jim Rome Show below.

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Bradley McDougald could leave Seahawks or switch to free safety after 2020

Strong safety Bradley McDougald could leave the Seattle Seahawks after this season or switch to free safety because of Marquise Blair.

Seattle Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald heads into the final season of his three-year, $13.5 million contract with the team, which could be his last in the Emerald City.

Since the demise of the Legion of Boom after the 2018 season, McDougald has been the biggest veteran presence in Seattle’s secondary. Perhaps as a result, he has been one of the most consistent players on the defense.

McDougald is coming off an impressive 2019 campaign in which he recorded 70 tackles (52 solo), six passes defended, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a half-sack in 15 games and 14 starts. He may have missed 12 tackles throughout the season, but he played his role in a struggling secondary well for the most part.

The Seahawks drafted strong safety Marquise Blair in the second round of last year’s draft and are hoping that he will eventually be a starter. McDougald held down the position quite well, but he could either switch to free safety or leave in free agency next season.

At 29 years old, McDougald has at least a few more solid years left in him. The Seahawks will hope that he can provide at least one more in the Emerald City.

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