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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Curt Popejoy

3 takeaways from the Steelers agreeing to terms with Keanu Neal

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with free-agent safety Keanu Neal. Here are our big takeaways from the signing.

How much does Neal have left?

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Neal’s career has pretty much been all or nothing due to injuries. He’s played seven seasons, with only three of them being close to complete and healthy. He’s been a part-time player the last two seasons and expectations should be tempered that he will be more than a third safety.

Damontae Kazee should start

(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

I don’t hate Neal as a player but when healthy, Damontae Kazee is a much better option. He’s a strong physical defender and knows the system much better than Neal.

Definitely shifts draft focus

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

When the news first came out that Terrell Edmunds had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, strong safety became a top draft need. But with Kazee re-signed and now Neal, it’s unlikely the Steelers draft a safety at all now.

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