The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Target These 3 Free Agent Cornerbacks
The Steelers have filled most of their primary needs, but one position on defense that could still use some help is the nickel cornerback position. I like Beanie Bishop, and I believe he can develop into a strong starting nickel corner, but he is not there yet. Giving him the job without true competition is not the brightest decision for a team that still seems to believe they are contenders.
Just as it has been the case the past couple offseasons, the second wave of the cornerback market is moving slowly. There are still high-quality corners available, and there are three in specific which make sense for the Steelers.
Asante Samuel, Jr.
Samuel suffered a neck and shoulder injury that cost him most of last season, but during his first three years in the league, he was an imposing force in the slot, racking up double-digit passes defended in each of those seasons. The injury might be a scare to certain teams, but from a Steelers perspective, it would be a wise financial investment. If healthy, Samuel gives the Steelers a proven option in the slot with significant long-term upside. What’s more? He isn’t going to break the bank, considering he is coming off the injury and is still available in late June. The risk far outweighs the reward here.
Mike Hilton
It takes a lot for me to recommend the signing of an older former Steeler that I did not want the Steelers to bring back when his contract was initially up. However, Mike Hilton knows the Steelers defensive scheme, and he would add creativity to a blitzing scheme that became quite vanilla as the season went on in 2024. Hilton has never been dominant in coverage, but when you consider the fact he had absolutely no help in the Cincinnati secondary, I can’t put their defensive ineptitude on him. I still think Hilton provides value as a savvy veteran, and the learning curve will not be super steep.
Jack Jones
This may be the most controversial of the three, but I believe this may come with the highest upside. Jack Jones has been a favorite of mine since college, but immaturity has derailed a career that once looked incredibly bright. He missed a curfew during his time with the Patriots and been fined by the NFL on two separate occasions, once for taunting and once for unnecessary roughness. However, his release by the Raiders has humbled him, and I encourage anyone who doubts his commitment to grow up to watch his interview on The Pivot, where he basically admitted the reason he is not with a team currently is solely because of him. He also said in the interview, “….I’m going to be there and prove it wrong. I’ll show up every day, put on my hard hat, close my mouth and get to work.” Jones is a dice roll, but in the situation the Steelers are currently in, it is a dice roll they should be willing to make.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I’m not a fan of free agency and taken that players remaining contract from that players former team the N.F.L. draft is cheaper and smarter
Ed, I do not understand your comment:
Ed is a die hard fan, but he doesn’t understand the intricacies of roster building/contract creation.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I hope to see starting at CB on the Steelers defense in 2025 CB Cory Trice Jr. and CB Joey Porter Jr.
Samuel has yet to be cleared and is waiting a July medical evaluation. Thanks but no thank. It’s also deemed as a lifelong issue.
Denver drafted one of my draft crushes Jahdae Barron and may decide to release Ja’Quan McMillian.
Truthfully I would like to see the Steelers go get Ramsey and move him in the slot. You would also have a solid rotation on the outside to keep guys fresh. Miami would have to eat some of 2025 and take a 4th or 5th rounder but there is cap space in 2026 and 2027. Slay is likely a one and done and you would have Ramsey moving back outside in 2026. I’m sure some will poopoo the idea but if this team is serious about winning that trade would seriously upgrade the secondary. There’s moves that can be made as far as the cap if that bothers some of ya.
There are a few flies in that Ramsey ointment. And yes, Samuel absolutely is a poor bet today, like Gabe Davis.
What are the flies
3 void years *after* the next 3 years of play, and “ONE BILLION DOLLARS” a year past next year. It’s a hellacious contract.
Aside from a contract the dumb Dolphins don’t want now: Ramsey’s play has slipped, per PFF, and Ramsey prefers to relocate to LA. When Miami releases Ramsey, he’s most likely to return to the Rams. At far, far less than $24.1MM AAV for three seasons. The PFF data are in my response to Jeff’s article on 21 Jun on Ramsey.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan,since the 70’s I don’t understand about roster building I don’t like free agency it’s like a quick fix and it doesn’t work the N.F.L. draft is cheaper and smarter and their some good talent in the U.F.L. and H. B.C.U. also
Ed, HBCU athletes are obtained via the draft, my guy. Also, not all FAs are expensive. Lastly, free agency will not disappear as long as the NFLPA exists.