Steelers Add Former AFC Foe’s ‘Instinctive’ CB : Report

One day after departing with veteran cornerback Luq Barcoo, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed a different veteran for cornerback depth — Grayland Arnold.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on June 4 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 wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Arnold began his career as an undrafted free agent for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He played the past three seasons for the Houston Texans.

In 2023, he posted a career-high 18 combined tackles with 1 forced fumble in 8 games. Arnold played 143 defensive snaps last season, which was more than what he played during the first three years of his career combined.

Arnold has dressed for 26 NFL contests in his career. He’s recorded 33 combined tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass defense and 1 forced fumble.

Prior to the 2020 NFL draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Arnold as an “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,” wrote Zierlein. “He’s more impactful in smaller spaces where his instincts and quarterback awareness allow him to shade and squeeze throwing lanes.”

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Steelers Sign CB Grayland Arnold

The Steelers essentially traded veteran cornerbacks who were undrafted free agents in 2020. But Arnold has played during the regular season more recently than Barcoo.

While Arnold has dressed for at least four games every season of his career, Barcoo hasn’t appeared in an NFL game that counted since 2020.

Arnold also has some versatility. He played 27 of his 143 defensive snaps last season at safety, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Texans also featured Arnold on special teams during 2023. He not only returned kickoffs and punts but also covered both and played on the field goal/extra point block team.

At Baylor, Arnold returned 14 punts for an average of 11.5 yards per return. He averaged 12.4 yards per punt return and returned one for a touchdown in 2019.

For the Baylor defense, Arnold had 6 interceptions and 2 pass defenses in 2019. In 30 games over his four-year college career, he registered 106 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss. Arnold also had 13 pass defenses, 7 interceptions, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.

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Steelers CB Depth Changes During OTAs

The Steelers waived Barcoo with an injury on June 3 to make room for wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. The wideout went undrafted last year and spent his rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But once the addition of Arnold is official, the Steelers will be back to having 11 cornerbacks on the roster.

During the first week of free agency, Pittsburgh acquired veteran Donte Jackson in a trade. He is expected to start opposite Joey Porter Jr., who experienced a solid rookie campaign in 2023.

However, the Steelers are counting on unproven commodities to provide depth behind those two projected starters.

Pittsburgh drafted Texas cornerback Ryan Watts in the sixth round of the NFL draft and signed Beanie Bishop Jr. as an undrafted free agent. The team also remains excited about 2023 seventh-rounder Cory Trice Jr., who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

Darius Rush is another young cornerback who could make a leap during his second season this fall. After being an Indianapolis Colts draft pick, Rush appeared in three games during his rookie season for the Steelers last year.

Arnold will likely compete with Rush, Bishop and Josiah Scott for playing time at nickel cornerback.

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