The Pittsburgh Steelers' last defensive player to be a day-one starter was defensive back Tre Norwood in 2021 on the road against the Buffalo Bills. The seventh-round pick from Oklahoma played in 80% of the snaps on defense with an additional 34% on special teams. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin revealed what he is looking for from the members of Pittsburgh's 2023 draft class on his side of the ball if they're going to follow the likes of Norwood, Devin Bush Jr., Kameron Kelly, and Terrell Edmunds, as recent rookies on the opening day rosters per Pro Football Reference.
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Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood will have to fight for his spot in the secondary as the Steelers brought in plenty of outside help this offseason.
Pittsburgh landed cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice Jr., defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, and linebacker Nate Herbig in the 2023 draft. There's still a while to decide if any of them will be a day-one starter. It seems like the favorite to get a starting job in the group will be Joey Porter Jr., and even if it's not right away, he'll claim one sooner rather than later. The rest of the group might find roles within the defense and could be called upon if injuries arise. Austin spoke to the media in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and offered up some things he's looking for from the first-year players to earn time on the field, specifically when it comes to the cornerback position.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Defensive Coordinator speaks on the first day of the team's mandatory minicamp.
"Having had to play a young corner before, the things I look for are competitiveness and that he's out there playing with confidence," Austin said. "I always look for what his understanding is of his role. Does he understand why we're putting him in this particular role right now? If he understands that, then you move towards how he's actually playing it. Is he doing it well? Sometimes guys can understand it, but not play it well 'cause they won't play it fast."
He said after that evaluation happens, there's a moment that makes you say, 'He's ready to go in.' The veteran coach elaborated that there will be some ups and downs, but you live through them and hope it helps the player develop. He recalled back to 2003 when he first entered the NFL as the defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks, and they had just drafted Marcus Trufant 11th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. Then in 2008, he was with the Arizona Cardinals when Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was the 16th overall pick. While Trufant started all 16 games his first year, Rodgers-Cromartie took some time before Austin said the staff knew it was time to take the leash off.
"I don't know when Joey [Porter]'s time is going to be," Austin said. "But when it comes, I think we'll know."
Steelers Defensive Backs Coach Grady Brown Excited For What The 2 Rookies Can Bring To The Room
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs Cory Trice Jr. (27) and Joey Porter Jr. (24) participate in the team's 2023 rookie minicamp.
Steelers defensive backs coach Grady Brown also spoke with the media on minicamp's opening day and said he's excited to have some fresh new faces in the defensive backs room this season. He said there is a good level of anxiousness the young guys bring being new. He's excited about the two new corners in Trice and Porter that bring good size and length.
"Sometimes you can have guys that have great length, but they might not always be big," he said. "Those guys [Trice and Porter] have great size and speed. I joke with them that they're the big brothers, them and Keeanu [Benton]. When someone's bullying you, you go get your big brother."
The 'big brothers' of the defensive back room might not be ready to start on day one against the San Francisco 49ers, but both should have a role, and maybe one or both edges their way into a starting role.
Do you think Porter will be an opening-day starter? Which week does he snag a starting job, if not Week 1? Comment below!
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