Steelers' Undrafted Rookie Beanie Bishop Hopes To Have Similar Career As Mike Hilton: "I Go And Watch Some Of His Tape"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still looking for their long-term replacement for Mike Hilton in the slot corner position. They recently signed Cameron Sutton, who has played every defensive back position. However, he may end up getting suspended due to the legal trouble that resulted in him being released by the Detroit Lions. Another option for the Steelers is Beanie Bishop Jr., an undrafted rookie free agent that's looking to just stick with a team. The Steelers have been adamant about keeping him as a slot corner, and they even want him to learn from the best. 

During a locker room interview after another day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Bishop revealed that some Steelers have been directing him to a former player in an attempt to turn him into a great slot corner, although he may have already considered that same player as a reason why he joined the Steelers. 

"Given the background of the organization, and the history of the undrafted guys that they have here, there's been much success between those guys. You know, Mike Hilton, that's kind of the prototype for the slot here. I go and watch some of his tape and things like that. Guys tell me to watch his tape and just go look at how they want the nickel to play here."

Hilton obviously left a lasting impression in Pittsburgh, despite being an undrafted free agent himself. In his first year in the Steel City, he had 64 tackles and four sacks, with three of those sacks coming on Christmas Day against the Houston Texans in 2017. Over the next three seasons, he acted as a model slot corner for the Steelers, and eventually signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals to be their long-term option at slot corner. 

Since he left, the Steelers have been searching for his replacement. Even though they had Sutton on the team for most of that time, he eventually transitioned to outside corner, along with veterans like Joe Haden and Levi Wallace. During that time frame, the Steelers had a revolving door of players trying to hold down the fort against the slot receiver. 

If Bishop can be that Hilton-like nickel corner with solid production, the Steelers will be happy to keep him around long-term. Even then, Bishop does not have to be able to do everything expected of a slot corner; Hilton would be on the field primarily for running downs and slot-blitz opportunities, while Sutton would play in the slot during obvious-passing situations. 

Ideally, Bishop would be able to play in coverage, on the run, and as a blitzer, but as long as he can make an impact somewhere, he should be fine. Sutton and Bishop can split snaps throughout the season (when he's not suspended). Bishop is still a rookie, so splitting time could be beneficial to his development, as opposed to playing every single snap of every game. 

Steelers' Undrafted Free Agent History Impressed Bishop

Bishop mentioned that the history of undrafted free agents in Pittsburgh was a reason that signing with them was easy. Of course, Hilton is a guy that he looks up to, but there has been plenty of other Steeler greats that were never drafted. Jaylen Warren is a big reason as to why the Steelers have arguably the best rushing offense in the NFL, despite signing after the 2022 NFL Draft. 

James Harrison's story is well-known; he went from a camp body that always got cut, to one of the most feared players in football, winning an AP Defensive Player of the Year Award and two Super Bowls. Donnie Shell won four Super Bowls and made it to the Hall of Fame, despite going undrafted in 1974. There are plenty of other great undrafted rookies for the Steelers, and that's why Bishop wanted to be a Steeler.

What do you think about Beanie Bishop wanting to be just like Mike Hilton, as well as him praising the team for their undrafted free agent history? Let us know in the comments.

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