The Steelers added depth to two areas of their roster that needed it when they signed a journeyman cornerback and running back as free agents Monday.
Both played for multiple teams last season after losing their jobs and getting released.
Coty Sensabaugh, 28, played cornerback for three teams after Tennessee drafted him in the fourth round in 2012. He signed a two-year contract. Knile Davis, 25, is a halfback and kick returner who was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. He signed a one-year deal.
Both players visited the Steelers on Monday and signed in the afternoon. The Steelers have now signed three free agents, adding wide receiver Justin Hunter last week.
Sensabaugh will add depth at cornerback and Davis will do so behind Le’Veon Bell at halfback and also compete to return kickoffs. Veteran halfback DeAngelo Williams, 34, is an unrestrictred free agent and not likely to return.
Sensabaugh signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent last March. However, the Rams cut him Oct. 8 and three days later he signed with the New York Giants. He started 27 games and played 72 in four seasons with the Titans, and started two more games last season. He has two career interceptions.
He will compete at a position that has been a traditional weak spot for the Steelers the past several years. Artie Burns, their first-round draft pick last season, and Ross Cockrell, a restricted free agent, return as starters. Senquez Golson, a second-round pick in 2015, has not played in his two seasons because of injury. Willie Gay, 32, remains on the roster.
Knile Davis on why he chose to come to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/Eu676lt0et
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 20, 2017
Sensabaugh: "It just feels right." pic.twitter.com/OFHMCjzoJi
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 20, 2017
Davis had a whirlwind season in 2016. The Chiefs traded him to Green Bay last October and two games later, the Packers waived him. The New York Jets claimed him off waivers Nov. 1 but cut him one day later, and he re-signed with the Chiefs Nov. 5.
Davis, 25, rushed for 805 yards in his career with a 3.2-yard average per carry. He also has returned kickoffs. He played at Arkansas. He also has 34 receptions and averaged 26.8 yards on 73 kickoff returns.
The two signings pierced a relatively quiet period for the Steelers in acquiring free agents. They offered a contract to New England inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower, but he returned to sign with the Patriots.
The Steelers also re-signed a few of their own, including backup quarterback Landry Jones, linebacker James Harrison and tight end David Johnson. They signed Antonio Brown to a five-year contract and issued Le’Veon Bell the one-year franchise tag.
Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com
First Published: March 20, 2017, 6:07 p.m.
Updated: March 20, 2017, 6:30 p.m.
