The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a ton of change on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball throughout the 2022 off-season. Many of the newcomers will immediately jump into a starting role and aside from the quarterback position, the most important new member of the organization may be cornerback, Levi Wallace.
It is not just on the field performance from him that will be critical to the Steelers success on the defensive side of the ball, but off the field and in the locker room, leadership will also be a key part of the former Buffalo Bills DB's contributions in 2022.
As we head into training camp in a few weeks, Wallace is the oldest cornerback listed on the roster and has, not only playoff experience, but played along side All-Pro cornerback, Tre'Davious White for the last four seasons. With the former Pro Bowler only playing 11 games in 2021, Wallace had the job of stepping up and played in each of the team's 17 games and had two interceptions. He had the ability to act and prepare as a #1 corner for the first time in his career during White's absence last December and January.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) catches a pass in front of cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) during an NFL football training camp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (James P. McCoy/Buffalo News via AP, Pool)
Wallace had a bunch of positive things to say about White when he was first signed and attributes a ton of what he has learned to him regardless of their draft years just being one year apart.
"The way he works, just each and every day, it's amazing," said Wallace. "Just the professional that he is and he's always one of the last people to leave the field. Just to see the way he works, pushed me to work the same way, but then he kind of just mentored me."
It won't just be the mentorship of White that will help him this season, but going up against a guy like Josh Allen every day is bound to make a cover corner better. He has had the opportunity to do that since Allen was drafted in 2018. Consistently competing against one of the games best will translate on the field as Wallace moves on from the team who drafted him. He can really step up in preparation leading up to the Week 5 matchup against the Bills by coaching up some of his teammates on Allen's tendencies.
Steelers Wallace Has Received A Lot Of Attention Since Signing In March
Wallace has consistently been labeled as the Steelers most underrated player and best bargain of the off-season, but he won't be lurking in the shadows. He will be the team's top option at the cornerback position this season. It will be important to not just perform on the field, but be looked up to by a bunch of the younger guys in the secondary.
He was ranked earlier in the off-season as the league's 8th best cover corner and after losing a guy like Joe Haden, the defense will desperately need someone to step up and guard opponents' top receivers. The list of dominant receivers that the team goes against this season is lengthy and Wallace will need to have the best year of his career to help the Steelers to another playoff appearance.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Levi Wallace (#29) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 minicamp on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
It won't just be on the field that he needs be affective, but in the locker room as well. Damontae Kazee is the only other player in the secondary that is 29 years old. Wallace doesn't just bring talent and on the field experience, but has consistently dealt with the physical and mental stress that comes along with being a physical cornerback in the National Football League.
How important do you think Wallace's leadership role will be both on and off the field in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
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