Steelers Can Address The Need At Corner With 1 of 3 Free Agency Signings

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to fill the few holes not addressed in the first wave of free agency with young impact players with a dream of being a superstar at the next level. However, with plenty of needs and a finite number of picks at their disposal, the Steelers may elect to address a position of need without announcing a name at the podium on Thursday or over the course of draft weekend.

The Steelers have been without a lockdown secondary for some time. Though they already have addressed the cornerback room this offseason with the acquisition of Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers, there is still a significant need for a corner on the other side of Joey Porter Jr. with lockdown potential. 

Cory Trice Jr., who was a rookie in 2023, will be returning from injury which will be a massive boost, but finding depth or even a quality starter should still be in the cards for General Manager Omar Khan. Luckily, there are solid free agents available with proven track records in the NFL, who also can be starters if the position is not addressed in the draft.

1.) Xavien Howard (Former Team: Miami Dolphins)

Xavien Howard has been apart of the Miami Dolphins for the last eight seasons, and was a cornerstone of the reinvigorated unit that helped to guide Miami into the postseason. Howard may be 30 years old, but still can be a lockdown corner at this stage of his career. He is coming off a 45-tackle season that included an interception and is only four seasons removed from his 10 interception campaign in 2020. 

Howard can work as a mentor who can still play the game at a high level. Howard was designated as a post June 1st cut by the Dolphins on March 13th due to his cap hit, which may make him more affordable to the Steelers similar to the deal that Russell Wilson signed with the club. 

2.) Stephon Gilmore (Former Team: Dallas Cowboys)

It's not often that a former Defensive Player of the Year is on the market, but here is Stephon Gilmore still available at the age of 33. After being acquired by the New England Patriots from the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Gilmore has established himself as one of the great shut down corners in the league. 

Though Gilmore has bounced between three different teams in as many seasons, he is still making impactful plays with at least two interceptions and 60 tackles in each of the last two seasons. Gilmore is a plug-and-play corner, even in his older age, and may even sign a one or two-year deal to finish out his career wearing black and gold. 

3.) Steelers Bring Back Fan Favorite Patrick Peterson

After Peterson was released by the Steelers early in free agency, he quickly re-stated that he was open to re-signing and end his career with the team. There has been plenty of speculation that the eight-time pro bowler will be brought back to the team and play a hybrid depth safety/cornerback role. Despite his lack of production in his lone year with the Steelers, he was available, which helped Pittsburgh through the tough end of the season where they dealt with injury at safety. 

Peterson still finished the season with 42 tackles and two interceptions, and the big positive in his pocket is that he knows Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin's system. If capable depth and versatility in the secondary is what you're looking for, Peterson is the easy solution.

Would you rather have the Steelers draft a corner, or sign a veteran at corner? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation