The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a ton of question marks on defense, but for the first time in five seasons, there will be a new starter at strong safety. 

That's because former first-round pick Terrell Edmunds has departed for Philadelphia via free agency. 

Well, despite his up-and-down tenure with Pittsburgh, if the names battling to replace him fail to produce, Steelers fans may be wishing Edmunds was still around. 

The Swiss Army Knife: Damontae Kazee

If you have been keeping up with our training camp preview series, then you know I also projected Kazee to be in a battle for nickel corner but strong safety certainly takes precedence for the league’s former interception leader. 

Typically, Pittsburgh goes for the "thumper" at strong safety, something that Kazee's competition (up next) specializes in. But ball production trumps all, and Kazee is already acquainted with the system, giving him the leg up in this battle. 

The Enforcer: Keanu Neal

Neal was drafted by Dan Quinn in Atlanta to play the role that former Super Bowl champion Kam Chancellor made famous during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. 

He wasn't exactly a carbon copy, but Neal is a physical defender that has had success in multiple spots across the league. He doesn't have the range or ball production that Kazee has, but his omnipresent physicality is something lacking in the secondary. 

Similar to Kazee though, Neal may be used in multiple roles, potentially filling in as a sub-package linebacker or extra defender when the Steelers go big nickel or dime personnel. 



Either way, the battle for the spot opposite Minkah will be interesting, with the best fit hopefully coming out on top.

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