The Pittsburgh Steelers and low-popularity corners always seem to find each other when the time is right. The team has done it again with CB Ahkello Witherspoon, who found his way to the Steelers last season after spending four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Witherspoon is the Steelers best kept secret, as he has the team's trust to have a significant role on the defense this year.
It started when the team found a diamond in the rough in now Cincinnati Bengals CB Mike Hilton in 2017, who they had on their practice squad as an undrafted rookie for his first season the year before. He entered the 2017 training camp competing with Senquez Golson and William Gay for the job as the starting nickel back, and wowed the coaches enough to be named the starting nickel back for the 2017 season. From that point, Mike Hilton turned into a reliable cornerback for years for the Steelers before getting his bag with the Bengals in 2021.
There have been a few players to fall under the same mold from the media since Hilton, including cornerback James Pierre last season. But Witherspoon, now in his sixth year in the league, does not follow that same construct. Witherspoon got his opportunity to shine the same way Hilton did, as he took advantage of a weak and uncertain cornerback room and earned his time through his play on the field.
Over the final 9 games of the season (he was inactive for the first 8), Witherspoon was spectacular. He earned 3 interceptions while allowing just 172 yards. He also allowed just 14 of 36 passes to be completed in his direction over this span. Witherspoon allowed just a 35.1 passer rating in coverage.
Witherspoon has the size to match up against bigger lead wide receivers and enough foot speed to mirror some of the twitchier pass-catchers on the perimeter.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 09: Ahkello Witherspoon #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass intended for Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 09, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon has the stats to back it all up
Furthermore, his success is not just stemming from a half-season last year. He has quietly been one of the better cornerbacks in the league since the start of the 2020 season when he was still with the 49ers.
- 47.8% completion
- 410 yards allowed
- 12.4 yards per reception
- 5.9 yards per target
- 9.5th average PFF rank among CBs
His coaches and teammates have even raved about him, as cornerback coach Grady Brown touched on Witherspoon's development when he sat down with Missi Matthews:
"Ahkello Witherspoon is a person that has just blossomed. You know he kind of came in at the last minute and it was kind of a rush job during the season, but the same way we saw his play evolve during the year, his personality has evolved. He’s just a pleasure to be around."
The Steelers need Witherspoon to produce, and are trusting that he will based off of actions (or the inactions) of this off-season. The team let former #1 cornerback Joe Haden test free agency, who is still looking for a team to play on. His departure leaves the top cornerback spot up for grabs. The Steelers didn't even draft a cornerback from this year's draft class and only signed one in free agency (Levi Wallace).
Witherspoon will compete with Wallace and Cameron Sutton, who saw his first action at outside cornerback last season, but could not do well enough to cement himself a spot for this season. Statistically, Sutton has been phenomenal in the slot and still should see a ton of snaps if delegated to the nickel back position due to offenses regularly trotting out 3+ wide receiver sets.
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Do you trust Ahkello Witherspoon to be the top cornerback this season? Have the Steelers done enough at the cornerback position? Let me know in the comments or at my Twitter, @anthonyravasio.
