PITTSBURGH — The Steelers took the back end of their free agent shopping to the XFL, signed safety Tyree Kinnel, Jarron Jones and Cavon Walker in moves announced by the players’ agents and soon-to-be-former teams Wednesday.

They won’t formally sign until around the draft as their XFL contracts play themselves out. But unrestricted NFL free agents’ deals are getting delayed, too, as travel restrictions around the coronavirus hold up physicals that make contracts official.

Still, by securing their NFL rights, Pittsburgh has more or less nudged up the depth chart at three positions where the team lost a player to free agency in the last two weeks. So as they eventually make their way to the Steelers and a possible fight for the 53-man roster, it’s worth examining how they got to the XFL, and back, and who they’re competing with once they get to Pittsburgh:

Tyree Kinnel, S, D.C. Defenders

An undrafted rookie free agent in 2019, Kinnel missed out on the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster despite 4 solo tackles and 2 pass breakups in four exhibition games. He lost out on a roster spot to Clayton Fejedelem, among others. Kinnel was a two-year starter at Michigan, compiling 7.5 tackles for a loss, including two sacks in his last two seasons in Ann Arbor. He’ll be trying to snag a roster spot off Jordan Dangerfield or Marcus Allen in Pittsburgh.

Welcome baby girl 💕 pic.twitter.com/2kDdZZYhcb — Tyree Kinnel (@Tkinnel_2) December 8, 2019

Jarron Jones, OT, New York Guardians

He’s been out of school (Notre Dame) for three years now, but is yet to make a regular season NFL appearance. The 26 year old has converted from nose guard to offensive tackle. And while he’s not directly replacing Ramon Foster, he gives the team further tackle depth should Matt Feiler move inside. Note that the Steelers already signed Stefen Wisniewski, though, and Jones may be struggling just to hold down a practice squad spot behind Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor.

Cavon Walker, DT, New York Guardians

Walker actually led the XFL in sacks with 4.5 through five games. A four-year contributor at Maryland, he spent the 2018 preseason with the Chicago Bears before getting cut on Sept. 1. The former undrafted free agent did the same with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, and was not signed to their practice squad. He’ll be giving Isaiah Buggs and Daniel McCullers a run for the 53-man roster if all goes well in Pittsburgh.

XFL sacks leader, DL Cavon Walker, has signed with the Steelers.



Kevin’s back to playing chess again 😯



pic.twitter.com/EryfXiezhY — Across The Bridge (@ATBPGH) March 25, 2020

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