The Pittsburgh Steelers have been productive so far in free agency during the 2024 offseason. They have addressed a need at punter by signing Cameron Johnston, and they have also beefed up their front seven by signing Patrick Queen. The front office has begun to address needs in the defensive backfield by trading for cornerback Donte Jackson and signing safety DeShon Elliott. However, there is still a ways to go as Pittsburgh needs to find reliable depth at cornerback and they also need someone who can play the position in the slot.
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Former Carolina Panthers cornerback, Donte Jackson (#26).
Despite trading for Jackson, General Manager Omar Khan should still be in the market for corners. Not many have come off the board so far in free agency, and there are still many options to fill the Steelers' needs. Some options include players that suited up in the black and gold in 2023, like Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Elijah Riley, and Chandon Sullivan. Peterson specifically has gone on record saying he wants to return to Pittsburgh, and that the door is still open for a reunion on a cheaper deal. Aside from re-signing familiar faces, Khan and the Steelers have many options still available on the market.
Avonte Maddox
Avonte Maddox has been in the league for six seasons, spending all of them with the Philadelphia Eagles. He missed most of the 2023 season with an injury to his pec, and was released by the Eagles on March 6th. Maddox has spent most of his career as a slot corner, but also has valuable experience playing on the outside. He has appeared in 64 games for the Eagles, and totaled 250 tackles, eight forced fumbles, and four interceptions. He is an option that is on the cheaper side, and would be valuable due to his versatility.
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Avonte Maddox celebrating with the Eagles.
Xavien Howard
Signing Xavien Howard would certainly be a big move by Pittsburgh. He is a big name who has led the NFL in interceptions twice, is a four time Pro Bowler, and two time All-Pro. He is going into his eighth season in the league, and was released by the Miami Dolphins on March 13th. Howard could approach his contract negotiations in a similar way to Russell Wilson, as the Dolphins will have to pay him over $23 million in 2024, which could be good news for Pittsburgh if he decides he is willing to take a cheaper deal.
Howard has primarily been an outside corner, and he would likely start right away. If signed, the Steelers will have the option to start Jackson as the slot corner with Howard and Joey Porter Jr. on the outside.
Rock Ya-Sin
Rock Ya-Sin would be a good signing for Pittsburgh because he has experience on the outside, in the slot, and playing in the box. He is a physical, hard-tackling defensive back who has been consistent throughout his career when healthy. Throughout his first five seasons in the league, he has averaged a missed tackle rate of just 6.6%. He is as reliable as it comes when it comes to taking down a ball carrier, and would shine in the slot role for Pittsburgh.
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Rock Ya-Sin with the Indianapolis Colts.
Kristian Fulton
Kristian Fulton has spent the first four years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. He has mostly been on the field as an outside corner, but has some experience in the slot and in the box. He has struggled some in Tennessee, as he was given an overall grade of 46.4 for his performance during the 2023 NFL season by Pro Football Focus. His projected contract according to Spotrac would have an average annual value of just over $6.5 million.
Eli Apple
Eli Apple has often been clowned on in the internet for his arguments with Tyreek Hill, or for giving up the game-winning score in Super Bowl LVI. However, he would be a cheap and experienced option to provide some depth behind Porter Jr. and Jackson. He will be entering his eighth season in the NFL, and is projected to receive a salary of just $3.7 million on what would likely be a one-year deal.
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Eli Apple with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers Still Have Unproven Corners On Their Roster
Behind Porter Jr. at cornerback on the Steelers roster sit Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr. Rush has barely played on an NFL field and Trice Jr. suffered a season-ending injury during training camp in 2023 as a rookie. If either of these players have a good camp ahead of the 2024 season, they could easily be the team's third corner behind Jackson and Porter Jr. Taking a gamble and hoping either Rush or Trice Jr. work out would be a major risk for Pittsburgh, which is why they need to make a move in free agency to acquire another defensive back.
Who do you want the Steelers to sign? Let us know in the comments below!
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