The Steelers have added a former first-round pick to their secondary. The team announced that they’ve signed defensive back C.J. Henderson to the practice squad.
The Jaguars selected Henderson with the ninth-overall pick in the 2020 draft. The Florida product showed flashes of his first-round pedigree as a rookie, finishing with 36 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble in eight games before landing on injured reserve with a groin injury.
Henderson was dealt to the Panthers during his sophomore campaign and proceeded to spend two-plus seasons in Carolina, starting 22 of his 39 appearances. The cornerback occasionally filled up the stat sheet, including a 2022 campaign where he finished with tw0 interceptions and six passes defended. However, Pro Football Focus was never especially fond of Henderson’s performance, often giving him one of the worst positional grades in pass coverage.
The 25-year-old caught on with the Texans this offseason but didn’t make it through final cuts with his new squad. After remaining unsigned through the first few weeks of the regular season, Henderson has now found a new home in Pittsburgh. The veteran will still face an uphill battle to earn a promotion, as he joins a Steelers practice squad that already includes cornerbacks Anthony Averett, D’Shawn Jamison, and Thomas Graham Jr..
Pro Football Focus is ass
Pro football focus is just another ANALytical nightmare.
Of all the sports, football seems to have the least interest and/or opportunity for what they call “post hype prospects” in baseball.
A bunch of scouts will decide a guy is good, he gets one chance and no matter how bad the coaching was or how mismanaged his development was, that’s it, he’s a bum, give up on him.
I would always give pedigree a second chance.
Working well with Fields so far.
Regarding this player in particular, he has the specific size the Steelers look for in their corners. Give him a shot.
Worth a flyer based on the pedigree and measurables, but not getting my hopes up and SO glad they didn’t trade for him years ago like I wanted.
No desire to tackle
Bad at tackling when he does
Poor in man coverage despite being a plus athlete
Grabby
Basically he’s an athlete who after 5 years still hasn’t grown into a football player. Anything is possible, but he has the smell of a classic bust.
No desire to tackle. Funny, Deion Sanders still got into the Hall of Fame even though he ran away from tackling
Secondary has been a nice surprise this year as has the team. Hope they can stay away from injuries
Voiceover: “they did not, in fact, stay away from injuries”
Prime didn’t tackle much, but the man could cover. Henderson hasn’t shown much ability to do either well. Pretty bad combo for a corner when you think about it.
Do you really not know what a second chance is?
How many teams have to get rid of you before you call it a second chance?