PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman has named the Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of cornerback Jamel Dean as his top offseason move. Dean is expected to pair with Joey Porter Jr. to strengthen the secondary. Wasserman highlighted Dean's fit with new coordinator Patrick Graham's scheme.
The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed their secondary needs this offseason by signing veteran cornerback Jamel Dean, following the departure of James Pierre to free agency. They re-signed Asante Samuel Jr. to a modest contract. Previous veterans like Patrick Peterson, Darius Slay, and Donte Jackson had mixed results, with struggles in tackling and consistency beyond turnovers from Jackson and Peterson's prior interceptions season. Slay did not complete the season with the team last year. Dean, who turns 30 in October, brings experience from Tampa Bay, where coach Todd Bowles frequently used cover 3 in zone coverage. He ranked first in the NFL in passer rating allowed at 46.9, earned a PFF grade of 81.5 (fourth in the league), and had the third-best missed tackle percentage among defensive backs since 2022 at 3.9%, per Pro Football Reference. Over seven seasons, he has allowed only 16 touchdowns, including six in the last three years, and recorded three interceptions last season while holding opponents under 50% completion rate. However, health remains a concern, as Dean has missed games every season, including 12 over the past three years and three in 2025. The Steelers have depth with Samuel and may draft a cornerback. PFF's Dalton Wasserman praised the move on the PFF NFL Show: “I’m actually going to go with Jamel Dean out there at corner to pair up with Joey Porter Jr.” He noted Graham's heavy use of off coverage and cover 3 with the Raiders, calling Dean a good fit and predicting one of the league's top cornerback duos.