The Pittsburgh Steelers continued so as to add to their roster, signing security Chuck Clark a few days in the past. He has performed in seven NFL seasons, principally with the Ravens, however missed 2023 with an ACL damage and was with the Jets final yr. The most effective components of Clark’s sport then, and thru his profession, have been tackling and run protection, qualities Pittsburgh has prioritized this offseason.
The aim of this text is to look at his final season, evaluate it to the league and present/former Steelers safeties, and likewise present profession numbers.
First, let’s take a look at general tackling amongst gamers with a minimal of 700 complete snaps (59 qualifiers), viewing Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) deal with grades, missed deal with charges, and complete snaps for dot sizes:
Whereas these have been a few of Clark’s higher stats, the visible offers context to a number of different safeties offering extra in 2024. This contains returning Steeler DeShon Elliott, who topped the visible with a incredible season in these phrases. Minkah Fitzpatrick lands on the highest proper, however as you in all probability know was traded again to his authentic crew, the Miami Dolphins.
Clark lands simply above the imply with an 11.1-percent missed-tackle charge, rating twenty eighth out of the 59 qualifiers. For comparability, Elliott’s stellar 1.8 % was first by a protracted shot (second was 3.7 %), and Fitzpatrick’s 8.8-percent missed-tackle charge ranked 14th.
When it comes to tackling grades, Elliott’s 90.3 (second finest) was one in every of solely two qualifiers above 90, with Fitzpatrick coming in at 81.8 (twelfth). Clark’s 63.9 tackling grade was far decrease, with a below-the-mean thirty third rank. So, clearly not an improve in comparison with the Steelers’ beginning safeties final yr.
One other new security in Pittsburgh is Juan Thornhill. He didn’t qualify on the visible with solely 401 complete snaps in 2024. He didn’t have the strongest of seasons both, particularly in these stats. A poor 45.0 tackling grade and 22.6-percent missed-tackle charge have been on the backside of the league.
There’s a shiny facet to Clark when taking a look at his profession numbers. He has a greater 8.8-percent missed-tackle charge over seven seasons. This paradoxically matches Fitzpatrick’s 2024 quantity, so Clark has a resume of above-average ends in avoiding missed tackles.
Listed below are the gamers of curiosity complete missed deal with charges:
Elliott: 7.8
Clark: 8.8
Fitzpatrick: 11.2
Thornhill: 14.6
The hope is that Clark can positively development again towards his profession quantity in 2025. With all of the adjustments to Pittsburgh’s secondary, this might go a protracted option to incomes alternatives for the Black and Gold.
Now let’s take a look at run protection. Listed below are run missed-tackle charges and run-stop charges (unsuccessful run play for the offense):
As soon as once more, we see that Elliott was one of the best participant in our sights by far. He ranked first amongst qualifiers at a 1.8-percent run missed-tackle charge, with second place coming in considerably decrease (4.3 %), and a fourth rank in run-stop charge (5.7 %).
An vital issue to that is alignments, with Elliott enjoying within the field primarily in 2024 in comparison with Fitzpatrick and Clark’s main snaps coming at deep security. Fitzpatrick had the higher 1.3-percent run-stop charge, however that tied for fourth-worst amongst 51 qualifiers (300 run-defense snaps).
Additionally, Fitzpatrick landed just under the imply with a 14.3-percent run missed-tackle charge, tied for twenty sixth. Clark was barely above common, besting that quantity with a 12.5-percent run missed-tackle charge (T-Twenty second). However solely a 1.0-percent run-stop charge, tied for second worst final season.
Listed below are Clark’s profession run cease and run missed deal with stats:
2024: 1.0-percent run-stop charge, 12.5-percent run missed-tackle charge
2023: injured
2022: 2.6-percent run-stop charge, 6.9-percent run missed-tackle charge
2021: 4.2-percent run-stop charge, 2.6-percent run missed-tackle charge
2020: 4.2-percent run-stop charge, 5.6-percent run missed-tackle charge
2019: 4.2-percent run-stop charge, 13.2-percent run missed-tackle charge
2018: 2.8-percent run-stop charge, 14.3-percent run missed-tackle charge
2017: 11.1-percent run-stop charge, 0.0-percent run missed-tackle charge
So, issues appeared higher by means of the vast majority of his profession as a Raven, a theme all through the article. Clark’s profession totals would have landed him properly above the imply on the run protection plot.
Actually, Clark has one of the best profession numbers of the 4 gamers in our sights:
Chuck Clark Profession: 4.3-percent run-stop charge, 7.9-percent run missed-tackle charge
DeShon Elliott Profession: 3.0-percent run-stop charge, 8.6-percent run missed-tackle charge
Minkah Fitzpatrick Profession: 1.7-percent run-stop charge, 10.9-percent run missed-tackle charge
Juan Thornhill Profession: 1.6-percent run cease charge, 16.5-percent run missed-tackle charge
That is fairly a beautiful sight, particularly contemplating Clark’s versatility over his profession: 1,871 free security snaps, 1,750 within the field, and 672 slot reps as probably the most substantial. Add 487 on the sting of the defensive position, and even 162 at outdoors nook, and Clark’s manufacturing turns into all of the extra spectacular.
Right here’s to hoping the 2024 season with the Jets was a one off, and that Clark can rekindle a few of his general optimistic play, not less than as a tackler and run defender, with the 2025 Steelers.
