The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 draft class hasn't seen any game action yet, but it had been largely praised across the league. The organization found value within every selection, while placing a clear focus on the team's needs for the 2024 season. The work didn't stop once the Steelers had their last pick on Day 3, as General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl got to work signing undrafted free agents. Players that headline that list are Beanie Bishop Jr., John Rhys Plumlee, and Daijun Edwards.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. working out with the team.
Bishop was an interesting signing, especially because of the Steelers' need at slot cornerback. He will immediately be able to compete for a roster spot, and maybe even a starting role, which the nickel has become in the NFL. Bishop comes into the NFL after playing six years of college football, and his age was potentially a reason for why he went undrafted according to insider Brian Batko. The insider shared in his mailbag Thursday morning that the reason Bishop didn't get drafted could be the reason he makes the Steelers' final roster.
"Yes, the undrafted free agent out of West Virginia has a solid chance, in my view. He’s seasoned as a sixth-year guy who played at three different programs and in three different conferences (Western Kentucky and Minnesota being the first two). That concern about age might hurt a guy in getting drafted, but it can help him in being one of the last two or three to make the roster."
There are some positions in football where the skill starts to decline at a certain age, which is something NFL executives are weary of. It's seen with running backs, and it is also the case for players at corner. Bishop coming into the league at 24 was seen as a deterrent for any organization that considered using a draft pick on him.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Beanie Bishop during 2024 rookie minicamp.
Bishop is in a rare position. He is undrafted, which typically makes a player's chances to make a team's final roster pretty slim. However, the Steelers didn't re-sign any of their slot corners from the 2023 season, and Cam Sutton is facing an eight-game suspension to start the year. Batko discussed how that will help Bishop, as well as his college experience.
"Bishop’s odds took a hit with the signing of Cam Sutton because there’s a new pecking order at slot cornerback, but Sutton’s eight-game suspension opened the door right back up for the rookie. Also, Bishop’s college experience gives him a shot to be an emergency backup at outside corner in addition to perhaps being a second nickel with Sutton later in the season when they go to a dime defense."
The undrafted rookie has a lot to offer the Steelers. He has plenty of experience at various spots within the secondary, and everyone knows how much Mike Tomlin loves versatility. In addition to Sutton, another name that will be important to keep an eye on when it comes to Bishop's chances to make the roster is Josiah Scott. Scott is just a year older than Bishop, but has been in the league for three years. He is expected to be a factor at slot corner as well.
Steelers Have A Good History With Undrafted Slot Corners
Pittsburgh could be seeing a little bit of Mike Hilton when they look at Bishop. They have nearly the same exact build with both players standing at 5'9" and roughly 180 pounds. Hilton was with the Steelers for five seasons, and played over 50 percent of the team's defensive snaps from 2017 through 2020. Hilton eventually left for the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2020 season, and now Pittsburgh has the pleasure of playing him twice a year.
Keith Srakocic / Associated Press
Former Steelers CB Mike Hilton getting ready before a play.
The Steelers didn't sign Hilton immediately. He had two stops after being undrafted before being invited to training camp in Latrobe, PA in 2016. Bishop has spoken about Hilton since joining the Steelers. He even called Hilton the "prototype" for a slot cornerback, while talking about watching his film to see how the nickel should be played in Pittsburgh. If the former college All-American has a remotely similar career in Pittsburgh to Hilton, a lot of fans will be happy with that outcome.
What are your thoughts on Bishop making the final roster? Let us know in the comments below!
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