Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is going to have himself a busy offseason in 2025. There are many holes throughout the roster in Pittsburgh, but thankfully the franchise has plenty of resources to fix it. The team will have eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Pittsburgh is currently top 10 in the league when it comes to available cap space for the 2025 season. Khan should be able to make some meaningful changes, which includes upgrading several spots on the depth chart while adding quality depth.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
One of the spots on the roster that must be upgraded ahead of Pittsburgh's 2025 campaign is slot cornerback. The organization relied on undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. to fill the role for the majority of the season in 2024, but he was often picked on by opposing offenses. Cameron Sutton also started in the role once he finished serving his suspension, but he was not the player he was during his first stint in Pittsburgh.
Sutton will likely be playing elsewhere in 2025, if at all. He played on a one-year deal in 2024, and his play did not warrant a new contract from Pittsburgh. Khan will have a good amount of options to fix the position, as there are some quality free agents that could be added as well as some prospects in the draft.
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Cornerback Adoree' Jackson at the New York Giants' practice facility in December of 2022.
If there is one thing that Head Coach Mike Tomlin loves, it is versatility, and Adoree' Jackson has plenty of it. He has played on the outside and in the slot throughout his NFL career, and he just finished his fourth season with the New York Giants. He is scheduled to hit free agency in March, and he is a top candidate to sign with the Steelers. Jackson has the potential to start in the slot, and could also be serviceable on the outside if needed.
In addition to what Jackson would add to the defense, he also has plenty of experience as a return man. He could back up Calvin Austin III as a punt returner, while also taking over the return duties on kickoff. This is an area the Steelers need to see some improvement in, as the team was one of the worst in the league at returning kicks in 2024. The veteran corner would be relatively inexpensive as he played on a $1.75 million deal with the Giants.
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Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock during the 2024 season.
Jordan Hancock is an exciting prospect out of Ohio State. He was a key member of the National Championship-winning defense in 2024, and he is a player the Steelers should be interested in selecting during the 2025 NFL Draft. Hancock primarily played in the slot, so he will be taking on that same role in the league. The prospect is currently projected to go in the sixth round of the draft, and thankfully the Steelers have four selections on Day 3 of the event.
Pittsburgh does not have a sixth-round pick, but the organization could reach for Hancock in the fifth. There is also the chance he falls to one of the three picks the Steelers have in the seventh, or the franchise can package those picks to move up for the defender.
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George Pickens hauls in a grab over Cincinnati Bengals Mike Hilton.
Steelers Could Bring Back Familiar Face
Pittsburgh loves familiarity, and Mike Hilton was a fan-favorite during his time in Pittsburgh. He is still an effective player in the league, and he is slated to be a free agent in March. Bishop has already said that he has looked up to Hilton up until this point in his career, so backing him up in Pittsburgh could be beneficial to the organization in the long term.
Hilton would be one of the more expensive options in free agency for the Steelers. He is projected to sign a three-year deal worth roughly $12 million per season. This would be quite a commitment from a team that has never invested in the position seriously before, but it could be a good upgrade to the overall unit. For Steelers fans down south, Florida Sports Betting is a great place to check out the team's latest odds on games and who they might acquire next.
What do you want the Steelers to do at slot corner? Let us know in the comments below!
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