The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in need of cornerback help just a couple weeks away from the 2024 NFL Draft. Joey Porter Jr. showed in his rookie season that he is capable of being a true number one corner, something the team has been missing since the departure of Joe Haden. Even after acquiring Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers, who the Steelers have had their eye on for a few years, the team is still weak at slot corner and overall depth.
Bob Donnan / USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers acquired cornerback Donte Jackson this offseason in a trade that sent Diontae Johnson to Carolina.
The Steelers had a slot corner on the field for 710 out of the Steelers’ 1,129 snaps on defense in 2023 (62.9% of snaps). Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson took the bulk of those snaps, neither of which were retained this offseason. Currently, there are six corners on the roster.
- Joey Porter Jr.
- Donte Jackson
- Darius Rush
- Cory Trice Jr.
- Luq Barcoo
- Kalon Barnes
Rush, Trice Jr. and Barnes were all Day 3 picks in their respective draft classes and Barcoo went undrafted in the 2020 draft. The four have played a combined 191 career snaps on defense. They will all have an opportunity to compete in camp this summer. The young corners have a chance to provide quality depth in the secondary, but the answer at CB3 is still unknown.
The Steelers have five needs that stick out the most: center, wide receiver, tackle, cornerback and defensive line depth. It’s safe to say that each of these needs will be addressed in some fashion at the draft, but the order in which those positions will be addressed is the big question. Dan Moore Jr.'s extremely underwhelming 2023 season, the loss of Diontae Johnson and below average play at center since Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement, all point to the 20th pick being used on the offensive side of the ball, but don't hold your breath.
The Steelers hold seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:
- Round 1, Pick 20
- Round 2, Pick 51
- Round 3, Pick 84
- Round 3, Pick 98 (Eagles)
- Round 4, Pick 119
- Round 6, Pick 178 (Cardinals)
- Round 6, Pick 195
Steelers GM Omar Khan May Choose To Shore-up Cornerback Room Early
Potential options at Pick 20:
- Terrion Arnold (Alabama) 6-0, 196 lbs
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) 6-1, 195 lbs
- Nate Wiggins (Clemson) 6-2, 185 lbs
- Cooper DeJean (Iowa) 6-1, 207 lbs
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri) 6-0, 188 lbs
- Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) 6-0, 196 lbs (*projected top 15 pick)
Crimson Tide Pictures
Alabama teammates Terrion Arnold and "Kool Aid" McKinstry are two of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Potential options at Pick 51:
- Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) 6-0, 180 lbs
- Mike Sainristil (Michigan) 5-10, 182 lbs
- Kris Abrams-Draine (Missouri) 5-11.5, 179 lbs
- Khyree Jackson (Oregon) 6-3, 195 lbs
Potential options in round three:
- Max Melton (Rutgers) 5-11, 187 lbs
- D.J James (Auburn) 6-0, 175 lbs
- T.J. Tampa (Iowa State) 6-2, 200 lbs
- Cam Hart (Notre Dame) 6-3, 202 lbs
- Andru Phillips (Kentucky) 5-10, 190 lbs
The Steelers met with Arnold, McKinstry, Wiggins, DeJean, Rakestraw Jr., Lassiter, Sainristil, Phillips and Melton.
Free agency is another option to explore if the Steelers are looking for veteran presence and more experience in the CB room. At this point in the offseason, the cornerback market is pretty depleted, but there are still a few options.
Potential free agent options:
- Avonte Maddox
- Rock Ya-Sin
- Xavien Howard
- Stephon Gilmore
- Adoree’ Jackson
- Ahkello Witherspoon
- Patrick Peterson
- Chandon Sullivan
- Cameron Sutton
Sam Greene / USA TODAY Sports
Former Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton was released by the Lions on March, 21st.
With the Steelers already having the most expensive defense in the league, they’re more than likely only willing to sign a corner to a more team-friendly contract. Howard, Gilmore and Jackson might be out of the team’s price range, but they’re worth mentioning. Steelers GM Omar Khan could look to add a familiar face that has already played in the Steelers’ secondary and bring back Peterson, Witherspoon or Sullivan. Sutton had a solid six-season stint in Pittsburgh, but with his recent off-the-field troubles, the Steelers may not welcome him back with open arms.
As Steeler Nation eagerly waits for the 2024 NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see which round of the draft the team will target a cornerback. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
