This offseason has been a busy one for the Pittsburgh Steelers, full of massive additions that the staff hopes could make an affect in 2025. Some larger names have been added to the roster, however one of many extra under-the-radar strikes Pittsburgh made was to usher in security Juan Thornhill for further depth within the secondary. He hasn’t discovered his identify in headlines a lot since arriving in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, on Friday’s episode of Kaboly + Mack, Mark Kaboly named him as a participant who stood out throughout OTAs and minicamp the previous few weeks.
“[Juan] Thornhill might be one of many unheralded stars of OTAs and minicamp,” Kaboly stated. “He’s higher than, who was it, [Damontae] Kazee final 12 months.”
Coincidentally, Thornhill and Kazee switched roles this offseason. Thornhill clearly signed in Pittsburgh and Kazee ended up becoming a member of the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the staff Thornhill performed for throughout the previous two seasons.
Kaboly mentions Thornhill as an improve over Kazee, however it might be slightly quickly to leap that far. On the finish of the day, neither have been that spectacular in 2024. When it comes to move protection, Kazee has a leg up with one interception, two passes defended and allowed a passer ranking of 112.8 when focused. Thornhill had no interceptions, three passes defended and allowed a lower than stellar 141.7 passer ranking when focused. When it comes to run protection, Kazee was arguably higher as properly. Thornhill’s 49 tackles are actually greater than Kazee’s 31. Nevertheless, Thornhill had a 9.3 % missed sort out price, whereas Kazee’s was simply 3.1 %.
With that stated, Juan Thornhill’s 2024 season was arguably the worst of his profession. It additionally got here with a Browns staff that had numerous issues except for simply him. Taking a look at his profession as an entire, he’s been a strong participant for many of it. The Steelers are hoping he can get again into that stage of play in 2025.
He gained’t be a starter, because the Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliot forward of him. Nevertheless, he ought to function a pleasant depth possibility. He’s a flexible participant, as he would describe himself, and may convey lots to the protection as their third security.
Total, it’s laborious to challenge the position he’ll have with the Steelers this 12 months. Earlier than his stint in Cleveland, Juan Thornhill had a pleasant begin to his profession with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. His time in Cleveland wasn’t spectacular, however typically gamers simply want a change of surroundings. Thornhill appears to have loads of motivation to construct off his time with the Browns. It feels like he’s already making an affect in follow, which is a good signal. If he can get again to his prior kind, it will likely be a giant assist for the Steelers protection.
