Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 9y

Steelers' Will Allen a valuable safety option at age 33

This is the third in a three-part series examining three key Steelers who have at least 10 years of NFL experience (excluding Ben Roethlisberger). The Steelers have injected youth into the roster but still need these three aging veterans to produce.

Name: Will Allen

Position: Safety

Age: 33

Experience: 12 NFL seasons

Why the Steelers still need him: The Steelers signed Allen to a one-year, $1.05-million re-up for depth, but he can become more than that. Shamarko Thomas had solid offseason workouts, but if he’s not ready to adequately replace Troy Polamalu, the Steelers know Allen can handle the bulk of the snaps. He won’t be spectacular, but he’s reliable. Perhaps save Mike Mitchell, no Steelers safeties are a lock to start. That benefits Allen, who’s made 39 career starts and is the roster’s longest-tenured NFL player. Allen was adequate last year with 36 tackles and a forced fumble in 16 games (four starts). He can play either safety spot, bolstering his value as a swing backup.

Why the Steelers can question how much he has left: Allen received an $80,000 signing bonus, which suggests the Steelers are comfortable keeping him but wouldn’t have to if younger players emerge (seventh-round safety Gerod Holliman comes to mind). Allen has six career interceptions, or an average of 0.5 per season. The Steelers are desperate for playmaking, as the team has failed to crack the top 20 in interceptions since 2011. Allen has started more than four games once in his last nine seasons. Couple that reality with Allen’s age means starting him should be done on a Band-Aid basis.

Final word: Allen is what the money says he is – a valuable swing backup who will likely make the roster. But if the Steelers had their preference, he would play limited snaps while Thomas takes ownership of a job.

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