Despite bringing in several safeties as undrafted free agents over the weekend, the Cowboys nevertheless got a little thinner at the position in terms of their veteran depth.
Damontae Kazee is signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 28-year-old was a fifth-round pick for Atlanta in 2017 and spent four seasons there before joining the Cowboys in 2021.
Kazee came to Dallas recovering from an 2020 Achilles tear, eager to reunite with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who had coached him with the Falcons. He saw heavy usage with the Cowboys, playing over 78% of the team’s defensive snaps during the season.
The San Diego State product started 15 games for the Cowboys, getting in on 52 tackles, picking off two passes, and forcing a pair of fumbles.
But while Dallas chose to re-sign Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker during free agency, Kazee remained on the open market entering draft weekend.
The Cowboys did not use any of their nine draft selections on a safety, yet signed Florida A&M’s Markquese Bell, Georgia Tech’s Juanyeh Thomas, and TCU’s La’Kendrick Van Zandt following the close of the seventh round.
Free agent safety Damontae Kazee is signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per source. Five-year veteran has 12 career interceptions.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 1, 2022
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The Steelers did not draft a safety, either. Kazee is now expected to replace Mike Hilton in Pittsburgh, joining Minkah Fitzpatrick, Karl Joseph, and Terrell Edmunds among others at the safety position.