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The Steelers announced five offseason signings today, including defensive backs Thomas Graham Jr., Kalon Barnes, and Josiah Scott, as well as linebackers David Perales and Tyler Murray.
All five players had past connections to the Steelers.
Graham had a tryout with Pittsburgh before Week 18. Here’s what we wrote about him then.
Thomas Graham Jr. is a cornerback who attended the University of Oregon. The Chicago Bears selected the 5’11, 197-pound cornerback in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. Graham played his debut year in Chicago and the next season with the Cleveland Browns, appearing in 11 games and totaling 19 tackles and four passes defensed. He began the 2023 season on the Browns’ injured reserve until being dismissed in November.
Kalon Barnes spent some time on the Steelers’ practice squad earlier this season. Here’s what we wrote about him when he tested out for the team before week one:
Barnes was picked by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft from Baylor. Barnes finished his collegiate career with 23 total tackles, 5 passes defensed, and 1 interception. The 6’0, 186-pound corner has the second-fastest 40-yard sprint in NFL Combine ever, clocking 4.23 seconds in 2022. Barnes has moved around the league since being drafted, playing for the Dolphins and most recently the Vikings.
The Steelers also signed cornerback Josiah Scott, who was on the team’s practice squad/injured list until being picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles before of Week 7.
Scott appeared in four games for Philadelphia in 2023, registering two total tackles. He was also an Eagle in 2021 and 2022, playing 29 games and accumulating 49 total tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft.In terms of linebackers, Steeler fans will recognize David Perales, who has already appeared on the team’s practice squad as a reserve pass-rusher this season.
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Perales played collegiate football at Fresno State, where he made 47 total tackles and 11.5 sacks his final year. The 6’3, 255-pound defender made four total tackles with the Steelers during the 2023 preseason.
Tyler Murray spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad in 2023. The linebacker was working for Amazon before receiving a call from his agent.
Murray, an undrafted rookie free agency from Memphis, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals after the draft and spent time on their practice squad this season. He started all 13 games for the Tigers during his senior season, totaling 67 tackles and six tackles for loss.
After focusing largely on offensive positions during their previous round of signings, the Steelers made a concerted attempt to add to their defensive depth as the offseason began.