Steelers: What to do at Cornerback?

Every year at this time the question seems to be, what are the Steelers doing at cornerback?

This has been going on for years now. There was a question mark next to Ike Taylor even when the defense was ranked in the Top 10. Case in point: three corners started opposite Taylor the last time the team won the Superbowl (Bryant McFadden 8 games, Deshea Townsend 4 games, and William Gay 4 games).

Now the question is “Who will start with Ross Cockrell?” He is the only Steeler with a contract for 2016 who saw any real playing time last year. Doran Grant and Senquez Golson are two second year players on the roster but Golson was on injured reserve in 2015 and did not even see the field while Grant’s exposure was minimal.

In the secondary, experience is important and may supersede talent. A first round draft pick does not guarantee a starter, especially in their first year. The Steelers have three free agent corners in Gay, Brandon Boykin, and Antwan Blake.

Bringing in a quality free agent from outside could be the answer if the team has the money to lure the right candidate in. That is a big “if” considering that Mike Mitchell was given about $5 million a year before the 2014 season and that was considered a big-time signing for Pittsburgh.

If Janoris Jenkins is looking for $8 million per year is that even possible? It would probably limit them too much financially. There simply is not enough money to sign a No. 1 corner.

The Steeers should look at keeping William Gay and Brandon Boykin. Gay obviously has the most experience within the organization and has become one of the leaders on defense. The secondary seemed to improve once Boykin was given more playing time.

It is obvious when watching him that he has better instincts on where the ball is going than Blake. This is a player that in 2013 had six interceptions which is a sheer rarity for Steelers corners. In Tuesday’s news it was reported that Boykin would return to the Steelers if under the “right” circumstances.

Next: Steelers defensive expectations

The odd man out is Antwon Blake. I admire his aggressiveness but he is a liability in coverage and did miss his fair share of tackles.

The team may see Boykin as a slot corner but with him and Gay penciled in as the starters for now it gives them a better foundation with team experience leading up to the draft.