The Pittsburgh Steelers are fortunate to have perhaps the most talented collection of defensive backs of any group during the Mike Tomlin era going into 2023. With All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, leading the way, the team possesses a nice mix of both young and veteran players who are poised to help the defense regain their dominance during the 2023 season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
In addition to Fitzpatrick, the Steelers will rely upon veterans Patrick Peterson, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, and Levi Wallace as well as 2023 second-round pick, Joey Porter Jr. to lead the secondary this upcoming season. While these players will inevitably play a large majority of the defensive snaps at both safety and cornerback, there is another member of the unit who has all the necessary potential to be a diamond in the rough player, Cory Trice Jr.
As a seventh-round pick, it is far from a sure thing that Trice will crack the 53-man roster in August. However, with the team's release of Ahkello Witherspoon in May, there seems to be a need for quality backup cornerbacks in the defensive back room. Trice, who has reportedly been very impressive during OTAs, recently spoke on how he plans to use his late draft selection as motivation to be a difference-maker for the Steelers' defense.
"Every day, I think about that. [seventh-round draft pick] I always try to go out here and prove myself, and prove how good I really am. Really just try to contribute to the team," said Trice.
Trice And Porter May Be The Future Of The Steelers' Secondary
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the job Steelers' General Manager, Omar Khan, has done this offseason has been his ability in building the team's roster for both the long and short-term. Needless to say, it is a pretty safe assumption that both Trice and Porter are critical components of the team's long-term plan in the secondary.
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Steelers Rookie CBs, Cory Trice Jr. And Joey Porter Jr.
Nicknamed "The Avatars," by Tomlin, the young duo of cornerbacks have a rare opportunity to be meaningful contributors to the defense in 2023. With that being said, corner is often recognized as the most difficult position to transition from collegiate football to the professional ranks. The heightened level of play will undoubtedly test both Trice and Porter during their rookie campaigns. Fortunately, both Trice and Porter have the ability to be mentored by Peterson, who has already embraced the role of a veteran leader in the defensive back room.
During the interview, Trice talked about what it means to have Peterson help him with his transition to the NFL.
"Any question I got, he's always answering them. He always gives me pointers on and off the field. He's just a really good guy. He's a guy I looked up to, and now I'm on the field with him. It's definitely a dream come true," said Trice.
Will Trice Make The 53-Man Roster?
The Steelers will most likely keep either five or six cornerbacks on their active roster in 2023. The trio of Peterson, Wallace, and Porter Jr. are locks, with Chandon Sullivan also being a strong candidate. If the number of corners is five, it will likely come down to Trice and James Pierre for the final spot. On the flip side, if the team elects to keep six, both Trice and Pierre have a more than decent chance to crack the roster.
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Steelers CB, James Pierre Is Poised To Make The Team's Roster In 2023
Ultimately, the best chance for Trice to secure his spot on the 53-man roster is to stay healthy and perform well over the course of training camp and preseason. As he has already demonstrated during OTAs, he is more than capable of making big plays. His impressive size and speed make him an intriguing candidate to round out the positional room.
With the AFC boasting an unprecedented number of high-powered offenses, the need for talented defensive backs has never been higher. This will ultimately help Trice when it comes down to the front office making decisions on who to keep on the team. If he captures his moments and takes advantage of the opportunities presented to him, the seventh-round pick will have the ability to prove why he was worthy of a higher draft selection.
Thoughts On Trice?
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Do you think Trice will end up making the active roster in 2023? What other cornerbacks are you excited to watch next season? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
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