First Call: Steelers look to land a free agent corner; Mike Williams leaves for former team

Thursday’s “First Call” looks at a depth signing by the Pittsburgh Steelers on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Williams is heading west in free agency. We get introduced to a mid-round running back who seems to be intriguing the Steelers as the draft approaches.

We also preview Thursday night’s Penguins game and the Atlantic 10 conference tournament opener for Duquesne.

Other pieces

As the Steelers figure out their quarterback situation, they are trying to get some other business done. On Wednesday, they beefed up the secondary.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Steelers are expected to sign New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols.

The #Steelers are expected to sign former #Jets CB Brandin Echols, sources say. He should provide key secondary depth and more. pic.twitter.com/t5fQIVJOcf

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025

Echols is a fifth-year player out of Kentucky. He spent his first four pro seasons in New York. The 27-year-old has 57 games worth of NFL experience, starting 19 of them. He has totaled five interceptions, one fumble recovery and 92 tackles.

At 5-foot-10 (179 pounds), he primarily plays on the outside at the left cornerback position but can play on the right as well and occasionally lines up in the slot.

Unfortunately, Echols had a tough time with George Pickens last season when the Jets faced the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

A DIME TO GP ‼️

???? Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnrEBK pic.twitter.com/9MSKVgkv1y

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 21, 2024

Russell Wilson throws an absolute dime of a touchdown pass to George Pickens ????

This is Russell Wilson's first touchdown pass with the Pittsburgh Steelers ???? pic.twitter.com/hgzYbqVjUM

— Ninety ???? (@Wattaburgher) October 21, 2024

Echols also logged 707 special teams snaps during his career in New York.

Return trip

Mike Williams is not extending his stay in Pittsburgh. He is going back to Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old wide receiver played the first seven years of his career with the Chargers before becoming a New York Jet last offseason. He only lasted nine games there before being traded to Pittsburgh. Between the two clubs, he only caught 21 balls for 298 yards and one touchdown.

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported the news. He says the Chargers are getting Williams back on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.

BREAKING: The #Chargers are signing WR Mike Williams to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M as he returns to Los Angeles — where he spent the first seven years of his career, sources tell @NFLonFOX.

Williams is back catching passes from Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/KXDuF5ebfx

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 13, 2025

Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnson were the leading receivers for the Chargers last year. They teamed up for 15 touchdown receptions, 137 receptions and 1,860 yards.

Running back watch

With Najee Harris now a Charger as well, the Steelers may need to draft a running back of consequence next month.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the franchise is taking a second look at Kansas State’s D.J. Giddens. He claims the Steelers will host Giddens on a top-30 visit after an initial meeting with him at the combine.

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to host Kansas State RB DJ Giddens on a 30 visit.

Fresh off losing Najee Harris.

Giddens finished 2nd among RBs at the Combine in the Vert (39.5") + Broad (10'10") + ran 4.43.

Giddens had Combine formals with #Steelers (????), #Chargers, #Jaguars.

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 12, 2025

As you can see in Melo’s post, Giddens (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) produced some good measurables in Indianapolis. Last year with the Wildcats, Giddens put up 1,343 yards on a 6.6 yards per carry average. He also caught 21 passes for 258 yards, scoring eight total touchdowns.

DJ Giddens posted a beautiful 9.89 RAS with a 4.43 40 at 6'0, 212lbs ????

But how's the tape? Well..

➖ highlight reel elusiveness
➖ very slippery in traffic
➖ patient behind the LOS
➖ anticipatory vision

Day 2 talent at RB. pic.twitter.com/psnjGglv0U

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 12, 2025

The Draft Network lists Giddens as a Day 3 prospect. ESPN.com ranks him as the 16th-best RB in the draft.

Spirit of St. Louis

The Penguins are riding a rare winning streak into Thursday night’s game at PPG Paints Arena. They’ve won two in a row over the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild.

The Pens haven’t won three in a row since a four-game streak Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Now they get a third straight Western Conference opponent in the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

St. Louis is playing well as of late too. Coach Jim Montgomery’s team has won six of the past eight games. One of those defeats was a 2-1 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

The Blues have 69 points, two back of Calgary and Vancouver for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Both teams average 2.82 goals per game, tied for 21st in the NHL. Robert Thomas has 51 points to lead the club. Jordan Kyrou has 50 and leads the team with 24 goals.

The Blues aren’t particularly high-ranking on special teams. They have been vulnerable on the penalty kill. At 71.2%, that’s 29th in the league. Their power play is 24th at 19.3%.

The two teams will rematch in St. Louis on April 3.

More sports

• U mad Bro?: Steelers already defensive about Aaron Rodgers, still defensive about Justin Fields
• Steelers still without a quarterback as Russell Wilson plans visits with Browns, Giants
• Robert Morris coach, players ready for NCAA Tournament, but many already know what awaits

Early birds chasing the worm

Robert Morris won the Horizon League Tournament. Pitt got knocked out of the ACC Tournament in Round 1. Now Duquesne gets its postseason shot.

After first-round byes, the ninth-seeded Dukes play eighth-seeded St. Bonaventure in Washington at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The winner gets top-seeded VCU on Friday.

The Dukes (13-8, 8-10 A-10) and Bonnies (21-10, 9-9) split two regular season games this year, with both teams winning at home. Dru Joyce III’s team has to figure out a way to slow Melvin Council Jr. He totaled 37 points between the two games.

Meanwhile, Tre Dinkins looks to keep his double-digit streak going for Duquesne. He’s scored 10 or more for 16 games in a row.

Prior to the Bonnies’ 70-63 win in Olean, N.Y., on Feb. 22, the Dukes had won five in a row in this rivalry. That run included a 70-60 victory in last year’s A-10 Tournament semifinal.