Steelers 2024 Roster vs. Predicted 2025 Roster, Cornerback Edition

After having a bit of time to process the blockbuster trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins in exchange for future Hall of Famer Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, I’m ready to dive into the Steelers’ 2024 depth chart compared to the projected 2025 group at the position.

Heading into the offseason, many believed this area of the roster might stay relatively quiet in terms of additions. However, you could now argue that the changes made to the Steelers’ secondary are among the most drastic entering the 2025 season.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the comparisons

Joey Porter Jr. vs Jalen Ramsey

Porter experienced something of a down year in his second season as a pro. Some of the early concerns about his hand usage resurfaced, leading to more frequent penalties compared to his rookie campaign. That said, there were still flashes that showed his impressive first season was not a fluke. He continued to demonstrate the ability to hold up one-on-one thanks to his physical traits and aggressive demeanor.

As for Ramsey, he is no longer the same player we saw at the end of his Jaguars and Rams tenures. General wear and tear has taken a toll on his once-elite athleticism. However, he still ranks among the better corners in the league. He remains a strong athlete and, just as importantly, carries the same competitive mentality that made him special early in his career. While he may not serve as a traditional number one corner in today’s NFL, his versatility is a major asset. Whether lining up in the slot, at safety, or on the outside, Ramsey can do it all and will be one of the key chess pieces for Austin and Tomlin this season.

Grade: Better

Donte Jackson vs Joey Porter Jr.

The Steelers acquired Jackson from the Panthers in the Diontae Johnson trade, giving them a stopgap option at the outside corner spot opposite Porter Jr. Although his tenure lasted only one year, Jackson proved to be a solid NFL player whose primary contribution was his ball production. However, outside of those splash plays, Jackson struggled with basic coverage responsibilities and was part of the communication breakdowns that plagued the secondary late in the season, despite being one of its more experienced members. He also dealt with a back injury, which may have contributed to the lack of physicality he showed toward the end of the year.

As previously discussed, Porter Jr. is a young player who still flashes very good to elite potential. Having him as a second corner on any team is exciting, as he undoubtedly has the talent to grow into a true number one in the right system and with continued development.

Grade: Better

Cory Trice Jr. vs Darius Slay Jr.

Many Steelers fans were excited about the potential increase in playing time for Trice Jr. heading into his sophomore season, especially after his rookie year never got off the ground due to an injury during training camp. Unfortunately, he suffered another long-term injury in Week 3, landing on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. After being activated in December, he was able to appear in six NFL games and flashed some of the traits that made him a high-ceiling prospect coming out of Purdue. There are still plenty of learning curves ahead for Trice, but the top priority will be staying healthy.

Slay Jr., meanwhile, is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles. Thanks to the breakout rookie seasons of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia felt comfortable moving on from the veteran in a move that also helped them cut costs. For the Steelers, this led to Slay signing a one-year deal. Initially, many assumed he would slot in as the second cornerback alongside Porter Jr., and based on the tape, he would have handled that role just fine. However, having him as the third man on the depth chart is an outstanding result for Pittsburgh. Slay brings leadership, poise, communication skills, and all the other savvy tools that come with experience. His addition is a clear upgrade for the cornerback room heading into 2025.

Grade: Better

Cameron Sutton vs Cory Trice Jr.

Sutton was cleared to play halfway through the season after serving a suspension related to off-the-field issues during the offseason. Once eligible, he immediately took over as the starting slot corner ahead of rookie Beanie Bishop, who had an intriguing start to his NFL career in his own right. Sutton returned to a familiar environment under the same head coach who originally drafted him, which gave many hope that he could turn his career around.

Unfortunately, his second stint in the Black and Gold didn’t go as planned. He struggled to keep up with opposing receivers, let alone effectively cover them. This appeared to be a result of declining athleticism, which was never elite to begin with. As a result, the slot corner position once again became a concern for the Steelers down the stretch. The team has opted not to re-sign Sutton, who now likely projects as a depth option at best in the later stages of his career.

As for Trice, he should once again make the roster. By all accounts, the Steelers are high on his skillset and physical traits. If he can stay healthy, he should provide solid value as the fourth corner in the rotation.

Grade: Better

Beanie Bishop vs Brandin Echols

The Steelers gave undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop a huge opportunity as the starting slot corner to begin the 2024 NFL season, and his performance was a mix of positives and negatives during the first half of the year. Bishop had always shown a knack for getting his hands on the ball during his time at West Virginia, so it was no surprise that ball production followed him into the NFL. He recorded multiple key turnovers throughout the season, continuing that natural playmaking instinct.

However, his struggles against the run and his inconsistency in coverage, particularly when he wasn’t producing splash plays, became concerns. This likely led the Steelers to turn to Cameron Sutton to close out the season, a move that spoke volumes about how the team viewed Bishop’s reliability.

As for Brandin Echols, he arrives after four solid seasons as a sixth-round pick and signed a two-year, six-million-dollar deal with the Steelers this offseason. He primarily played on the outside during his time with the Jets, where he was serviceable at best. However, his frame and skill set suggest he could potentially transition to the slot if the Steelers choose to go that route.

Echols’ versatility and experience might be the deciding factors when it comes to choosing between him and Bishop during roster cuts.

Grade: Better

This room is an absolute landslide of improvement, as I believe the Steelers have objectively upgraded at every level and position within the cornerback group. On paper, it is now arguably one of the best, if not the best, units in the NFL. There’s even a scenario where the team feels strongly enough about Bishop to carry six corners into the regular season, simply because they don’t want to let him go. That would speak volumes about the depth and talent of the group.

That being said, all of this is based on paper. The real test will be seeing if the group can live up to expectations and help make this defense one of the best in the league once again.

As always, we’d love to hear from you, so let us know your thoughts below.